A new converted residential space is opening its doors for potential tenants in Peoria’s Warehouse District. The Winkler Loft building was built in the 1926 to house Roszell’s Dairy. It later became home to Winkler Meats, which operated in the building until last year.
The industrial building stayed in the family and is now being marketed as a 28-unit urban loft complex, with with 10,000 square feet of commercial space on the first floor.
Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis praised the development during a ribbon cutting ceremony Mon.
“Every week that goes by, we’re learning about more and more entrepreneurs and developers who want to look at these fantastic old warehouse buildings and say, ‘what’s a good reuse for this building?,’” Ardis said.
Mayor Ardis has personal ties to the building and the Winkler family. As a high school student, he spent his summers working at the Winkler Meats shop, Ardis said. The old Winkler Meats sign still hangs outside the building -- but the word “meats” is painted over, so it now reads “Winkler Lofts” in red paint.
Larry Winkler is the owner and developer. Winkler says he’s proud to bring new life to a historic building, but bringing it up to code was "frustrating" at times.
“We think some of the stuff is ridiculous to be honest with you, but it’s what they have to enforce, so that was the biggest frustration, I think.”
Winkler adds that without the help of Historic Tax Credits, the project would have been impossible.
Monday’s ribbon cutting was the first for several warehouse buildings being redeveloped into urban living spaces. The nearby Persimmon Lofts and The Murray Building are slated to open before the end of the year.
Winkler says rent at his loft building will run between $750-$1,200 per month, depending on the floor plan.
The building has an open house from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 25th through Friday, October 28th and Saturday, October 29th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.