Kalispell’s architecture awards for 2012 recognize some interesting projects that were completed this year.

Sykes’ is being recognized for best new construction.

Impressive new residential and rehabilitation facilities at Immanuel Lutheran Communities are being recognized for best new addition.

And The Forge, a soon-to-open restaurant, coffee shop and music venue that has quietly taken shape in a historic blacksmith shop on First Street West, is being recognized for best remodel.

Recipients of the third annual architecture awards were selected by Kalispell’s Architectural Review Committee and will be formally recognized on Oct. 1 at Kalispell City Hall.

“The ARC is in place to help guide, shape and encourage owners and businesses to achieve the best projects they can and create something that they and their neighbors can be proud of,” said Corey Johnson, the committee chairman.

“We’re just there to support that effort and these projects are a win-win for all of us,” he said.

Sykes’

Over the last few years, Sykes’ owner Ray Thompson has seriously overhauled the downtown Kalispell landmark with roots that go back more than a century.

The prominent building has a renovated neighborhood diner, grocery and pharmacy with upscale apartments that recently opened upstairs.

Best of all, a cup of coffee is still just 10 cents with a meal.

“It’s almost a campus-like feel they’ve developed there,” said P.J. Sorensen, a planner in the Kalispell Planning Department and the city staff member on the Architectural Review Committee.

“There have been multiple phases to what they are doing there. It’s not just the apartments they built, though that was what got the award, but all the projects and how they tied them all together.”

Johnson said it’s exciting to see the Sykes’ corner on Second Avenue West revitalized and bustling, and to see the impact that’s having on other businesses in the area.

“It’s raising the bar a bit. It’s good for Sykes’ and good for the community,” he said.

Immanuel Lutheran

It’s been a big year for Immanuel Lutheran Communities, with construction of the Retreat at Buffalo Hill.

The resort- and spa-inspired “getaway for recovery” offers post-hospital, post-surgery, short-term and outpatient rehabilitation and physical, aquatic and speech therapy services.

A mural of Glacier National Park’s scenic Garden Wall adorns a lofty wall in the therapy gym. And construction materials such as wood and stone bring the feel of Northwest Montana’s great outdoors inside to help inspire recovery.

The not-for-profit continuing care retirement community also added 14 new apartments to Buffalo Hill Terrace, as well as a commons area with a two-sided fireplace, game room, computer station, dining room, bath suite and conference rooms.

Both projects — totaling about $6 million of construction — were designed by AG Architects and built by local contractor Hammerquist Casalegno. They opened in March.

“We’re thrilled to receive this award,” said Tracy Bridges, director of marketing and community relations for Immanuel Lutheran Communities. “It honors our architects and their leadership in senior-living design and attention to detail and our mission to serve seniors.”

The Forge

In their spare time, Ken and Judy Sederdahl have quietly restored and rejuvenated the historic Boyd’s Blacksmith Shop on First Street West into The Forge, a fully-equipped restaurant, coffee shop and music venue.

With its false front clad in rough old wood, the blacksmith shop dates back to the early 1900s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“What they tried to do was take an older, dilapidated historic building and give it fresh, new life,” Johnson said.

“They did it in a way that didn’t severely alter the look or historic aspects of the building. It cleaned up extraordinarily well. We’re very pleased with how it turned out.”

The Forge aims to open for business by mid-November. 

Ken Sederdahl said he and his wife bought the old blacksmith shop about seven years ago.

“We’ve just been dabbling with it whenever we had an extra bit of money,” he said of the project. The couple did much of the work themselves, but got a lot of help from “an angel,” retired builder Norm Moss.

The Forge will offer coffee and breakfast and lunch and occasional dinners. Sederdahl, a musician and a member of the Kenny James Miller Band, made sure it has a fully-loaded stage complete with amplification and drums.

“Music will eventually be a big part of it when we get it going,” Sederdahl said.

Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.