Peabody Lofts and Foundry Bakery

The historic Peabody Block in Albion, Michigan—constructed in 1852 and recognized as the city's oldest brick building—stands as a testament to thoughtful urban revitalization after receiving a 2021 Michigan Historic Preservation Network Building Award. By 2016, when new owners acquired the property at 400 S Superior Street, the building had fallen into disuse with vacant first-floor space and upper floors unoccupied for decades. Preservation Forward served as the historic preservation specialist on this 2020 rehabilitation, providing technical guidance and financial incentive expertise while working closely with owners, state and federal partners, architects, and tradespeople to ensure a successful tax credit redevelopment. The comprehensive restoration used historic photographs to guide the removal of non-original siding, restoration of exterior brickwork, and reconstruction of the first-floor storefront to its original appearance. Interior work included rebuilding the main staircase—a defining architectural element—and rehabilitating historic materials including wood trim, sandstone sills, and cast iron lintels throughout. In a nod to the building's history and Albion's industrial heritage, the owners established the Foundry Bakehouse and Deli in the first-floor commercial space, while the upper floors now feature fully-occupied two-bedroom apartments, successfully transforming a key corner of Albion's historic commercial district.