Dilapidated To Elevated (Part 1)
I love a good fixer-upper. And I’m not talking about the kind where a fresh coat of paint will do the trick, or swapping out a few light fixtures will bring it back to life. I’m talking about Rivet House—a former mill in Athens, Georgia, where you could practically feel the history trying to push through the cracked floors and crumbling walls. If buildings could sigh, this one was certainly on its last breath. But for me, it was love at first sight, with all its overgrowth, dark spaces, and structural “quirks.”
Rivet House was more than an old building in need of a little TLC. It was a canvas waiting for a new story, one woven from the fabric of Athens’ rich past and its thriving, artistic present. Walking through those dilapidated halls for the first time, I wasn’t fazed by the wide swath of graffiti or gigantic holes in the floors (and walls and roof). Where others saw decay, I saw an opportunity—a chance to preserve the spirit of the space while reimagining it as something fresh, vibrant, and full of life.
The building was around 100 years old and had seen a very successful past as a denim manufacturing mill. Much like how a rivet on a pair of jeans is a connection point for its various pieces, my goal in bringing this place to life was to create a connection point for the people of Athens and those who call it their second home.
It was no easy feat. The building was a maze of disrepair, with sections that looked as if they’d collapse with a strong breeze. I could see past the rubble, envisioning rooms that would welcome travelers, an open courtyard where locals could gather, and nooks for quiet reflection that honored the building’s original bones. With every rusty bolt and weathered beam, I felt a challenge and an invitation to create something both new and deeply rooted.
Every step of the restoration was a balancing act. How do you bring in light without compromising the structure? How do you inject modern style without erasing the character that drew you to the building in the first place? I was able to answer these questions by blending the past and present, using materials that paid homage to the mill’s history and natural design details that softened each space and spoke to a contemporary vision.
Now, Rivet House isn’t just a hotel; it’s a place that’s alive with stories. You can feel it as you walk down the hallways that once echoed with the sounds of machinery, or sit in the lobby where industrial elements meet warm textures and artful finishes. The building has been given a second chance—not just to stand, but to thrive, to welcome, and to inspire.
Sure, there were a few sleepless nights and some “what was I thinking?” moments along the way. But it was worth every challenge, every unexpected setback. Because, in the end, Rivet House is more than a renovation; it’s a celebration of Athens’ legacy and its future, a place that’s proud of where it’s been and excited about where it’s going.