EskewDumezRipple and Wolf Ackerman unveil the Center for Developing Entrepreneurs

The Center for Developing Entrepreneurs (CODE), located in Charlottesville, Va., will provide 215,000-sf of multi-use space for entrepreneurs, designers, and developers, as well as ground floor retail. The project will act as a connective ligature between the institutional, commercial, and the historic avenues of the city.

CODE will feature an open-air, pedestrian gallery that will promote public circulation from the Mall to Water Street. At the center of the site there will be an exterior courtyard with a sunken water feature and amphitheater for public and private outdoor events. A series of planted rooftop terraces will be visible as the building steps up from the Mall to Water Street. These outdoor terraces will serve as work and gathering spaces for tenants on each floor.

A variety of retail spaces will be included on the ground floor along with the main lobby entry on the Downtown Mall. A secondary entrance to the lobby will be provided on Water Street. The Water Street side lobby space will be able to double as a coworking studio when not being used as a 200-plus seat auditorium that serves both tenant specific and local community events.

One level of subgrade parking is included and will feature electric vehicle charging stations. Parking spaces have the ability to be converted to alternate uses in anticipation of evolving transportation trends.

The design employs systems and technologies that will increase the fresh air exchange and provide fine-tuned environmental controls allowing for natural ventilation and daylighting. Additionally, the building will harvest and reuse rainwater for green roof irrigation.

CODE is targeting LEED Gold certification and is slated for completion later this year.