Boulevard Brewing’s latest renovation combines an exquisite form with excellent function.
Craft brewers are a lot like architects — they design and create complicated works while building home-grown brands from the ground up. They have an eye for aesthetics and hope to appeal to the palate of the masses. Maybe it was the camaraderie of creation that motivated Kansas City, Mo.-based Boulevard Brewing Co. to tap local architectural firm El Dorado for a creative new renovation.
An article in Architectural Record details the impressive renovation, which added 28 feet of height to the existing 17-foot tall cellar, to accommodate increased production and access to taller fermenting tanks.
“When I started 15 years ago, we had 20 employees and made about 20,000 barrels of beer a year. This year we’ll do about 175,000 barrels with 100 people. The company has grown like crazy,” Mike Utz, a plant engineer at Boulevard Brewing Co. told Architectural Record.
El Dorado’s solution was elegant, yet functional. The expansion is a glass and steel tower atop the early 20th century building. While its beauty is mesmerizing, the reality of creating the addition had its fair share of headaches. El Dorado principal Josh Shelton explained that the brewery had to remain open during the renovation and the age of the building also provided a host of issues.
Of course, you wouldn’t know it now. The project was completed in July of last year and it is a sight to behold. For the full story, head over to the Architectural Record.
