The Bower

For nearly 40 years the middle of this block was dominated by an interior bus station, creating an inhospitable environment for bus riders and offering nothing to the street. The client had a vision that this central part of the City could serve a better purpose.

Removing nearly 300 feet from the middle of the block made room for a generous through-block courtyard, connecting Campbell Avenue to the Amtrak Station beyond. The Bower, 90 apartments above a full floor of retail and resident amenities, fronts the full length of the courtyard. Parkway Brewing anchors the corner, fronting Campbell Avenue with a courtyard-facing patio. Alongside Blue Ridge Flower Exchange and future retailers, the activity brings people off the sidewalk, through the paved courtyard and to the pop-up park beyond.

The Bower anchors the block in brick, stone and metal, taking its proportions from the banking towers that were once the mainstay of Roanoke commerce. Storefront openings at the ground floor set the rhythm of the upper windows. Brick corbelling frames each storefront, complementing the older entries along the block and beyond, setting the stage for walkable and vibrant street life.