Update on Construction at the Ambler Boiler House

The 1890s Ambler Boiler House, part of the former Keasbey and Mattison asbestos plant, has gone under serious restoration in the past year, and there is much more coming for the building in the near future.

The office building, which will accommodate 10 to 12 tenants, is the perfect example of adaptive reuse. Matt Heckendorn, of Heckendorn Shiles Architects, the lead design firm for the building, said they are keeping the current shell of the building, and repairing the areas that were in bad shape, while working to make the Class A office building LEED Platinum certification.

Contractors have begun drilling for geothermal wells, which will heat and cool the building. The building will also have a recycled rainwater irrigation system, a subgrade storm water management system, and much of the interior finishes will be made from recycled or reused finishes with a low VOC content.

While a good amount of construction is on hold with the economy as it is right now, this project is made possible from a grant from , which helps owners find ways to reduce energy use in their buildings and pay for upgrades. As well as a loan from the housing and urban development in Montgomery County.

Heckendorn said there has always been a struggle to find a balance to create a Class A office building while keeping the building’s industrial shell and being respectful to the buildings existing architecture.

According to a release from Heckendorn Shiles Architects, the project was considered ideal due to its proximity to the Ambler SEPTA rail station and to existing roadways and available utility services. Heckendorn added that the walkable downtown was important, as well.

Construction for the Boiler House is scheduled for completion for June 2012 with tenants expected to move in by the fall.