A Lancaster-based company has invested in a business
venture designed to revitalize decayed properties throughout the region.
The venture, called Retro Development, is the fourth
offshoot created by Tono Group, an architectural firm based in Lancaster city.
Retro – short for retrofit – aims to use sustainable
approaches to rehabilitating neglected urban infrastructure.
An example of Retro's work is Tono's new headquarters at
436 W. James St. The company's other divisions are Tono Architects, Proto
Construction and Interiors by Deco.
Tono invested $2 million to renovate a 12,000-square-foot
building erected in 1944 as a grocery store. Tono refurbished its maple floors
and original bowstring timber trusses, and added two steel-framed mezzanines.
The building now houses Tono's headquarters as well as a
wood-burning Italian restaurant, in a space that Tono has leased to Chef Taylor
Mason, a proprietor and chef of another downtown restaurant, Ma(i)son.
The restaurant occupies 4,200 square feet. Tono takes up
the remaining space.
Tono relocated to James Street from a 3,400-sqaure-foot
office in Wheatland Place, which is now occupied by Track5Media.
Tono reports steady growth in its 15 years of business,
and this year hired 17 new employees as it prepares to build up its newest
venture.
With 25 employees to support its four divisions, the
company will continue work on a portfolio of projects in health care,
education, retail, commercial, senior living and private residential work.
"Although our core mission remains steadfast to make
inspired places, we are evolving to better influence the construction process
and deliver the best value to our clients," Hunter Johnson, managing
principle and owner of Tono said.
Source: Central
Penn Business Journal
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