Tour will be led by Frank Scalish, contractor and developer. This tour will open with an overview of the Birdtown historic district in Lakewood, followed by a tour of the building. Event will conclude with an optional happy hour in the newly occupied storefront cocktail bar LBM.

Located in Lakewood’s Birdtown historic district, the Veronika is a small mixed-use building constructed in 1915 by Michael & Veronika Turza. In 2016, Scalish Construction acquired the building and undertook a rehabilitation using the federal historic preservation tax incentives, a first for Lakewood. Scalish reconfigured interior layouts, added energy efficient mechanicals and modern finishes to six apartment units and the first floor restaurant. On the exterior, the glazed brick was water washed, and all of the original windows were repaired. Especially impressive is the change to the exterior storefront. Scalish Construction removed the inappropriate 1970s cladding, infill and pent roof around the entry. Using the physical elements that had been uncovered, Scalish meticulously matched new wood and glass to reinstate the historic configuration. Instead of installing sub-divided storefront glass, the owner chose full-size plate glass windows. The impressive windows with custom wood and glass doors create a light-filled and architecturally appropriate storefront.