Family Buys Old School, See How They've Transformed It Into Community Building and Permanent Home
Getting creative with the space you’ve been given is always a good idea. But going above and beyond to make that space energy efficient? Now that’s a horse of a different color!
Charles Shaw, his wife Lisa and his brother John of Durango, Colorado, first came across what is now known as the “Smiley Building” in 1996.
At the time it was an old abandoned school building that needed a lot of tender loving care. Anyone else might not have given the building a second glance.
But the Shaw family had other ideas in mind. Naming it the Smiley Building after Durango School District Superintendent Emory E. Smiley, not only did they take some of the space and turn it into their permanent home, but they also opened up the old classrooms and made a huge impact on their community.
The 45,000-square-foot space once cost over $5,000 a month in utilities alone. Now with solar panels. energy efficient lighting and more, the Shaws are able to run it on an affordable budget of $300 a month.
“What I’m trying to do here is make a model of a type of business that is sustainable and profitable…” Charles told Respectful Revolution in 2014. “We’re in here for the long term.”
At that time Charles said they’d never had a vacancy in 14 years. Now it seems the building is as strong as ever with 35 permanent tenants, according to the Smiley Building website.
“Smiley’s tenants offer everything from classes in yoga, martial arts, dance, music, drawing, painting, photography and acting to services such as architecture, web design, massage,” the site reads.
There is also a dance center and a theater where the dancers perform. “Today the Smiley Building is firmly established as a one-of-a-kind, solar-powered community fixture of immeasurable value to Durango,” the site states.
We have to say we agree. Wow! What a way to make use of an old space. Not only that, but they’ve built a community around working toward conservation and sustainability.
We love what the Shaws have done with the place and hope to see more old buildings like this one repurposed in other communities.
If you’d like to keep up with the happenings of the Smiley Building or just so happen to be in the Durango area, visit their website or follow them on Facebook for more information.
Truth and Accuracy
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
