From Bank to Mixed Use Space: The Revitalization of 100 W Emma 

In 2022 Cromwell partnered with Shiloh Investments Group to re-design and revitalize 100 W Emma Avenue, a well-known building in downtown Springdale, Arkansas, into a dynamic mixed-use space.  

Historic Emma Avenue 

Emma Avenue is the heart of Downtown Springdale and has been experiencing a revitalization as of late with numerous new developments, restaurants, and store fronts opening annually. With the revitalization efforts continuing, the Emma Avenue area of downtown has quickly grown as the cultural hub of Northwest Arkansas. 

The existing building was a staple on Historic Emma Avenue in downtown Springdale for years. Prior to the new design, the building served as the regional headquarters for First Security Bank until they moved into a new space next door. The building’s prominent location and historic character made it an ideal candidate for redevelopment into a vibrant mixed-use space that could contribute to the continued revitalization of downtown Springdale. 

Phase One 

A team of architects led by Josh Danish and Colton Latimer were tasked with designing the new façade for the building. The first design was focused on being a continuation of the iconic corner that faced Turnbow Park and retained more of the original building’s façade. 

“Our goal from the beginning was to honor the legacy of the building while introducing something fresh and inviting. We wanted the first iteration to feel like a respectful evolution of what had stood there for decades,” said architect Josh Danish. 

This design kept much of the existing granite on the exterior of the building and replaced the old wall of windows and entrance into the bank, making it into a more modern clean downtown building. After meeting with Shiloh Investment Group and discussing the first design, Cromwell decided to go in a new direction. 

Phase Two 

“In our second design, we stepped back and asked ourselves how this building could better serve and reflect the community it’s part of,” said Colton Latimer. “The new design wasn’t just about aesthetics, it was about connection, context, and contribution to the street life of Emma Avenue.” 

The second round of design focused much more on the surrounding context of Springdale and took elements from the historic downtown. Cromwell took a look at the buildings in Springdale and tried to replicate the look of the existing downtown area. 

This resulted in the decision to make the building look like three separate buildings, matching the existing context of the surrounding downtown buildings. This design removed much more of the original building’s granite from the old building and provided two new store fronts while keeping the existing corner.  

Cromwell gave the two new storefronts the look of a traditional downtown building, with the taller first floor, larger windows that provided a store front, and a much shorter second level. On the side of the building facing Turnbow Square, there are shared balcony spaces that can be used by the building’s tenants. 

The design preserves the historic nature of the building and the surrounding area by keeping true to the existing context. The new building blends seamlessly into the existing downtown atmosphere. 

Challenges 

One of the major challenges that arose when digging into the building came from its age. Since the building has been around for multiple generations, it has had many renovations and construction projects done over the span of its life. As the team got into the building, more issues arose. 

“The building itself, evolving over many decades of additions, renovations, and outright absorption of adjacent structures, had become something of a beautiful mess by the time we started our work designing,” said Danish “Varying structural systems, roofing and glazing systems, electrical and mechanical systems, all contributed to the challenge of bringing together a cohesive and contextually appropriate design.” 

Another challenge during the design process was accounting for the bank’s old vaults. Rather than removing the vaults entirely, the team found a new use for many of them, including finding creative uses for the tenants that used them. One was used as a private meeting room and the other a wine cellar. 

 Evolving Responsibility 

Cromwell’s involvement in the project did not stop at the exterior of the building. Being an all-in-one firm, as the project evolved, Cromwell was able to provide the design for the electrical, water and sewer systems, and other engineering-related features of the building. 

Cromwell was also given the opportunity to design the spaces for the first two tenants in the building. 

The first tenant to move into the redeveloped space was Cromwell’s own regional office, located on the second floor. Designed to support a collaborative work environment, the office includes 30 workstations, a large community area, and an exterior sky bridge that offers views over Turnbow Square. A standout feature is the preserved bank vault, which now serves as the office’s main conference room—an adaptive reuse that blends history with functionality. 

Gaskins on Emma is the second tenant infill, occupying a 3,335-square-foot space on the first floor. Designed by Cromwell, the restaurant offers an 

elevated, yet welcoming dining experience inspired by the owners’ original concept, the award-winning Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse. The design embraces a 

moody, modern atmosphere with bold colors, layered textures, and salvaged architectural elements, including restored industrial windows and a repurposed bank vault now serving as a wine cellar. From the custom-crafted bar to carefully integrated kitchen systems and accessibility solutions, every detail reflects a thoughtful balance of form and function. 

The building is also currently home to locally and nationally renowned Onyx Coffee Labs, Springdale location. On the second level there is currently room for expansion, with plans for more office space as well as shared amenities such as a conference room and a kitchen for those using the space soon. 

“This project represents more than just a renovation; it’s a reinvestment in the future of downtown Springdale,” Latimer said. “We’re excited to see how this space continues to grow, inspire, and bring people together in the years to come.” 

Through this partnership with Shiloh Investments Group, Cromwell is proud to play a role in shaping the future of the revitalization of downtown Springdale and the surrounding community that our office is a part of.