Before & After: Fountain Square

A former used-appliance store in Fountain Square has a whole new look after a $300,000 renovation. The property at 1315 Shelby St. now has four apartments upstairs (all leased) and up to four commercial spaces totalling 8,000 square feet (available starting at $6.50 per square foot). It’s the first commercial project for residential veterans Bill and Joanna Taft of locally based T-Square Development. The Tafts had eyed the B.L. Appliances and Furniture store for several years before buying it last year and renovating it from top to bottom. The project was funded by a loan from Citizens Gas, part of the company’s neighborhood reinvestment efforts. The Tafts are directing their leasing pitch to office users, retailers and not-for-profits and are touting the building’s proximity to the Wheeler Arts Community and a planned Cultural Trail extension.