An adaptive reuse of a mostly vacant building, Benefield is a unique live/work programmatic model that incubates local businesses on the first floor and provide mixed income housing above. It aims to be the heart of Highland Park – and a model for similar transformations across the country.

The project’s intent is to create opportunity for the Highland Park community, elevating the local youth’s talents with access to strategic synergies and innovative resources. It’s a place to incubate dreams while reconnecting with the wisdom and love of older generations – and with time, become an example of equality and opportunity in a caring, connected environment that’s rooted in the strength of the community’s black history. The design reinvigorates the existing first floor space while preserving the historical 1920s Spanish Art Deco elevation as the front door to the Community Center.

Creating synergies and connectivity with the building’s existing tenant, the 6 Points Innovation Center (6PIC), was a key design driver to bridge the generational gap through mentoring local youth through the “White Box” maker/testing space. Design features include an iconic connecting stair; the simple A frame residential vernacular; second floor community garden; outdoor plaza; community flex space; food; solar and water harvesting elements, and the “jewel” – a feature wall element to be curated by the community – that celebrates the story of Highland Park.