SWADE cannabis, a St. Louis-based medical marijuana dispensary, announced the grand opening of its third location on April 16, 2021, a gem etched on the bustling street of Manchester Avenue in The Grove. The long-vacant location has since undergone extensive renovations resulting in a 7,500 square foot storefront which includes contemporary fabrication and finishes plus state-of-the-art systems and security.
MIN+ Architecture was hired when the SWADE partners saw this once-empty warehouse as a prime opportunity to create a statement space. The design team embraced the industrial character of the building shell by exposing the steel roof framing and portions of the interior masonry. New steel beams were installed to maintain the expansive ceiling height and to allow natural light deep into the space. Two new custom cantilevered canopies highlight the new entry and exit.
While the majority of the brick and block front façade was maintained, it was critical to the SWADE Team to find a way to activate this solid wall and contribute to the lively commercial streetscape on Manchester. A local street artist, Jayvn Soloman, was tapped to design and install a custom mural. He was tasked with artistically interpreting the SWADE Brand and creating a colorful destination that would stand-out amongst other notable murals throughout the neighborhood and the results are phenomenal.