16 Sep 2017 Industrial style office space blends history and technology

by Donna Benton
Makenzie Evans photos

When you step off the sidewalk and through the unassuming storefront door of the historic Robbins-Sanford building in Downtown Searcy, it is a bit surprising. Visitors are greeted with a magnificent steel and cable staircase which ascends through the building’s original brick walls and wooden beams, and winds around a giant wooden chandelier which hangs from the exposed ceiling trusses. The stairway leads to the building’s loft area, which after an extensive renovation, now serves as home to several area businesses.

The loft was dark and covered in decades of dust when Robert Ross, financial advisor for Edward Jones, and his wife, Kary, first met with the building owner, but it didn’t take the couple long to decide that they wanted to be part of the revival of this historic property. 

“We knew right away that this loft should be the future home for our business,” said Robert. “We were inspired by the vision to preserve the culture and historical ambience of the building.” 

The building was once home to the Robbins-Sanford Mercantile Company, where near the turn of the century, merchants in white aprons and black ties served the area with groceries, hardware and home goods. Today, the loft has been reinvented as modern industrial office space. Towering glass walls and modern style fixtures contrast in a perfect way with the original brick and wooden beams.  

“The history of the building was well preserved in the renovation,” said Robert as he pointed out some old math calculations scrawled in pencil on one of the beams, in that “one room schoolhouse” handwriting.

The couple enlisted the help of local designer Terri Camp to help them create a space that would meet the functional needs of their office and complement the industrial, warehouse style of the building, while respecting the building’s history.

Working in a historic building was not without its challenges. “We couldn’t attach anything to the brick walls,” said Terri. “We had a custom pipe shelf designed that was attached to the floor and ceiling and built around existing exposed pipes. The shelves were built using wood that was reclaimed from the building.”  Finding the perfect “statement pieces” was important to the industrial-modern look. “Kary and I had lots of fun shopping trips to find special pieces. The conference table is custom-built from reclaimed wood and aged galvanized metal and a painted vintage credenza holds media equipment,” said Terri. “Kary found huge barn doors for the reception area at Jenifer’s Antiques in Conway. I can’t imagine the office without them.” 

The Robbins-Sanford Mercantile Company is said to have been the premiere store between Little Rock and St. Louis back in the horse and buggy days. The character of the iconic building has been preserved and it now it shall serve generations to come. 

Donna Benton is a maker of customr home furnishings and specializes in classic painted finishes for antique and vintage furniture. You can see her work at WaterHouseMarket.com.