Monthly Archives: April 2017

North Country Builders, Inc. of Whitefish has operated successfully out of this Baker Ave. office for the past eight years, after buying the residence and performing the remodeling in 2008.  The 865 square foot space now contains two individual office spaces with built-in desks, good storage and up-to-date wiring.  Additionally, the office contains a fully functional kitchen and ADA compliant bathroom.  One section of the office serves well as a conference room with a large, custom built conference table and convenient book shelves.  Nearby, a gas fireplace lends warm ambiance.  The office entry area offers two south facing banks of bright windows and can serve as a sunroom, display area or additional work space.  The office also has a full basement functioning as storage area and a small shop.

Structurally, the office is very sound.  The original wall construction is comprised of three horizontal courses of brick enclosed inside and out with plaster and stucco.  Remodeling included a complete new roof frame, architectural asphalt shingles and R-49 fiberglass insulation.  The original windows, though beautiful, were inefficient.  They too have all been replaced with historically accurate and super-efficient, Sierra Pacific, wood-clad, casements.

From the street side, curb appeal is extraordinary with the clean lines of a well-designed, craftsman style home, and the added amenity of a lovely stone and stucco chimney.  Enhancing the visual appeal of the office itself, professional landscaping includes a pleasant variety of trees, shrubs and two or three small flower gardens.  All the original old-growth trees have been carefully retained, which offer added depth to the lawn and gardens.  The paved driveway and parking area are bordered by an interesting stone wall, enhanced with a radius entry of cultured stone.  A “dry creek bed” composed of all the native stones unearthed during construction is another focal point from the street or sidewalk.

The office is located at the south end of Baker Avenue, in the transition area from residential zoning to commercial, and this office is an appropriate commercial use within this zoning district.  Baker Avenue is one of two main thoroughfares entering Whitefish.  While heavy, commercial truck traffic is not allowed, there is a steady stream of personal vehicles on the street and a well-used sidewalk that maintains the office in the public eye.  In fact, this little office has become a very pleasant transitional landmark from the commercial end of Baker Ave to the more relaxed residential end.

In short, the office that is now the home of North Country Builders, Inc. is perfectly located, beautifully transformed and fully functional as a small office—the sale of which is now a golden opportunity  for the next small-business owner.