11 E 8th Street

COURTESY OF EVAN HOLT & MARY HOLT

A dedicated rehabilitation team led by Evan Holt and Mary Holt has breathed new life into this commercial building in downtown Lawrence. After over a year of work, two businesses—Grounded Coffee and Henry’s Upstairs—are benefiting from all the work done inside and out.

Originally constructed as two separate buildings in 1870, the structure is now a cohesive brick-faced two-part commercial block. Inside, removal of a drop ceiling, sheetrock partition walls and layers of patchwork materials revealed the historic building’s original character.

A beautiful open floor plan is now featured on the street level, where Grounded Coffee is located, with two bathrooms and a mechanical room separated in the back. 

The second floor, home of Henry’s Upstairs, still retains its residential apartment-like layout. The addition of pine floors, trim and windows in the mid-20th century gave the space warmth and charm that has been enhanced by the current work. While now supporting use as a bar, rehabilitation work has been carefully performed to ensure a harmonious blend of past and present.

Electrical and plumbing systems throughout the building now meet modern standards. Non-historic lighting systems were replaced with energy-efficient ones. Existing historic fixtures were cleaned and reinstalled. Historic hardware was carefully restored.

COURTESY OF EVAN HOLT & MARY HOLT

The exterior’s brick and native limestone surfaces had seen some rough treatment over the years and required extra care. Vines that had climbed the walls for decades—causing masonry damage both by their attachment and holding moisture in the facade—were removed. Original street-level window openings on the alley side that had been closed for years with concrete blocks were restored. All masonry surfaces were cleaned and tuckpointed.

The storefront facing Eighth Street was cleaned, repaired and painted, with new metal windows installed that were consistent with the historic architectural style. Wood windows upstairs were repaired. The project is using both the Kansas Historic Tax Credit as well as the Federal Credit for income-producing properties, reimbursing up to 45% of qualifying rehab costs.

Historic Downtown Lawrence is now one storefront stronger thanks to this thorough and painstaking effort by Evan and Mary!