Work to begin on repurposing of old Pacific Fruit warehouse

Work to transform the old Pacific Fruit & Produce Co. building in Spokane’s University District will commence, according to permits issued by the city.

The work is valued at $700,000 and includes an interior remodel and addition of a second level to the building at 102 E. Main Ave. When complete, the 97-year-old building will house a restaurant, coffee shop and new home for JMK & Associates, a Spokane-based financial company that purchased the 8,960-square-foot, triangular warehouse in November for $1.4 million.

The former warehouse in what used to be an industrial end of downtown was built in 1922 and originally called the Auto Freight Depot before it was taken over by the fruit company. Trucks backed up to the building’s loading dock that fronts Pine Street.

The building’s brick and heavy timber construction will be maintained, according to HDG Architecture, which is leading the renovation. A new concrete floor will be poured throughout the building, and new windows will be installed. The building’s original loading dock will be redesigned for a restaurant patio, and the existing “Pacific Fruit & Produce Co.” signs will remain.

The project’s construction manager is JW Construction, of Mill Creek, Washington. HDG Architecture, of Spokane, designed the renovation.