Night Sky Coffee Roasters
Originally built by 1903, this masonry building reflects early 20th-century commercial architecture and boasts a history of continuous commercial use. The meticulous rehabilitation preserved defining elements, including masonry façades, cast iron storefronts, beadboard ceilings, original wood flooring, and transom windows. Structural enhancements carefully balanced preservation with modern functionality, installing concealed supports and modernized plumbing and electrical systems without sacrificing historic integrity. Adaptive reuse transformed this space into a vibrant coffee shop and roastery, becoming an essential community cornerstone. Utilizing state and federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits, the project underscores how thoughtful historic preservation can foster local pride, economic growth, and meaningful community renewal.
The Michael L. Starr Award was created in 2020 in memory of Mike Starr, former Board Chair of the Georgia Trust and the Georgia Cities Foundation. This award honors the rehabilitation of a downtown historic building which best exemplifies the highest standards of historic rehabilitation and has a significant impact on the downtown of the city in which it is located.
