A common phrase with organizational experts starting in the early 1980s was that specific staff were “living in silos.” This was a catchy way of saying that people were not interacting enough to stay on mission in a company or group.
But for Mid-Shore developer Bob Greenlee, that is precisely what he wants people to do; live in a silo. And not just any silo, but one that could indeed be one of the Eastern Shore’s remarkable architecture gems of this century if it becomes a reality.
Working with Easton and London-based architect Mitch Hager, Greenlee’s firm has developed a novel way to convert the silos owned by the Perdue Company in Easton into residential use. Perdue has been eager to sell the site due to grain farmers unwilling or unable to drive the narrow streets to get to the facility. They turned to Greenlee and his team to come up with new plans for the site.
While one option was simply to level the existing silos and replace them with straightforward residential housing, Greenlee and Hager saw a new and radical way to use the space. Instead of tearing down the silos, they would form the foundation of a design of some 40 plus apartments or condos right next to the popular rails to trails pathway.
Appropriately using the name “The Granary” for the complex, Mitch and Bob see this as not only a way to keep these iconic structures in place. This approach could also be a unique model for other communities on the Eastern Shore facing similar challenges with these aging facilities.
In the first part of the Spy’s extended conversation with Bob about his significant commercial projects on the Mid-Shore, we sat down with both of them last week to learn more about this exciting proposal.
This video is approximately five minutes in length. For more information about SVN | Miller Commercial please go here. For Mitch Hager’s firm, please go here.
Marian says
I love them. They seem to be far enough away from the traditionally styled homes where the two wouldn’t clash. I’d buy one in a minute but it’s doubtful I could afford one.
Brenda Fike says
Incredible concept. Sign me up for a condo!
Kathy Bosin says
Super cool!
Andy H. says
This is a good concept, no question.
But there’s one thing I can’t figure out about the property –
The freight trains serving Perdue on what’s now the trail ended service in the late 70s- early 80s. So for the better part of 40 years grain had to be moved in and out by truck.
But how is it that only now getting trucks up to the property is a problem? They’re saying it’s because of the narrow streets. These streets in the area have barely changed though – if they’re too narrow now, why weren’t they too narrow in all of the years since the rail service has been gone? What’s different today?
Have the grain trucks themselves gotten too large?
Not an expert on any of this, so maybe there’s an obvious answer I’m just missing – any experts to weigh in?
Sheree Elben says
Due to my experience in the trucking world my response to you is the volumne of traffic has increased dramatically in this area.
Andy H. says
Thanks for replying, I can see that being a possibility.
But it’s not the way Perdue is framing the problem though. This is from the article:
“Perdue has been eager to sell the site due to grain farmers unwilling or unable to drive the narrow streets to get to the facility.”
It makes it sound like the streets themselves have physically changed in a big way, or that the newer drivers can’t navigate using the same type of trucks everyone before has been able to.
jan bohn says
Looks great!! My husband and I are interested in living there!
Bob Little says
Will take more than chicken scratch to pull that off!
Lynn Randle says
Love, love, love this concept! Original, unique, maintains the Easton sense of history…
I hope it can maintain the idea of affordability as well!
Rodney Tong says
This is thinking outside the cube and tube. I hope that this is an outrageous success.
With apologiesto Frank Perdue: It takes a tough man to make a silo into a home!
Doug Broujos says
Bob Greenlee is a thoughtful visionary who always has the best interests of Easton and its residents in mind. Repurposing these silos, rather than simple demolition, makes sense for all the right reasons- economic, sustainability, environmental, and more. After living in Easton for more than 20 years, I’m never surprised by the level of innovation and forward-thinking by community leaders. Bob is one of those professional leaders who is always thinking ‘outside the box’ and looking for ways to improve standards of living. For this proposed project, his bold vision thoughtfully and appropriately considers the overall impact to (and the preservation of) the area’s true beauty and uniqueness. I hope to see this wonderful project implemented and eventually spread to other similar communities facing the same opportunity.
Bob Greenlee says
Thank you Doug. That’s very kind. We’ll save a unit for you and Karen … it could be just the 2nd home opportunity you’ve been looking for!
Michael Davis says
I saw similar housing built from silos in New York. They look very cool. They are a great case of repurposing structures rather than destroying them.
I hope some of them are affordable. Bluepoint Hospitality Group is bringing so many jobs to Easton, it would be nice if some of that workforce could afford to live here.