Urban design firms acquire Market Street building for HQ

Two local firms focused on architecture and urban design have jointly acquired the former Perfection Bakery Building at 618 E. Market St. in the Cole Noble Commercial Arts District on the near east side. The one-story, 1950s building will serve as a studio and headquarters for Axis Architecture + Interiors and Rundell Ernstberger Associates LLC. The renovation, which calls for shared meeting spaces, libraries and a kitchen/break room, began this month. Exterior improvements including a garden, secured courtyard, paving and plantings also are planned. Prior to the purchase, Axis had occupied about half the building as a tenant. The project will transform the remaining roughly 5,000 square feet of unfinished space. REA was founded in 1979, while Axis was formed in 1995.