Since 1978, Race Pace Bicycles has provided Maryland with high-quality support and expertise on all things bicycle-related. Beginning as a small two-room storefront in West Baltimore, the business has expanded to five locations, the third location, which opened in Ellicott City in 1984, had to be relocated when the strip mall that housed it was to be torn down. Wanting to maintain business in the area, owner Alex Obriecht purchased a local warehouse to become the site of the company’s next Ellicott City location.
Photo courtesy of Fabral
Ammon Heisler Sachs Architects was hired to conduct a full-scale remodel of the interior and exterior of the warehouse. Plans were also developed to add 4,800 square-feet to house the company’s sales floor and storeroom. A major face-lift was needed to the structure’s façade to attract customers and convey the Race Pace Bicycle brand. To accomplish this, Fabral 12″ and 16″ Silhouette HCF Series™ metal wall panels finished in Valspar Fluropon® coating in Slate Gray and a custom red were installed in a continuous horizontal pattern on the exterior.
Valspar’s Fluropon 70 percent PVDF architectural metal coating is known for its high-performance qualities and durability, including superior resistance to ultraviolet rays, dirt and stains. Thanks to its color adhesion properties and vibrant pigments, the selected Fluropon colors provide a modern and dynamic vibe to a once drab exterior. To maintain their strong local brand, it was important that Race Pace Bicycles secure exterior colors that match their own style. With Valspar’s expert color-matching abilities, the process was simple.
Taking over 21 months to complete, the Ellicott City location opened its doors in 2014. Staffing around 15 employees and home to Bella Bikes, Race Pace Bicycle’s exclusive store for women and the first all-women’s bicycle store in the country, the new location looks as great on the outside as it makes people feel inside. So, the next time you’re cycling through Ellicott City and need of a tune up, stop by Race Pace Bicycle’s landmark facility – you won’t be able to miss it.
Project Overview
Project: Race Pace Bicycles; Ellicott City, MD
Year Completed: 2014
Coatings provider: The Valspar Corporation; Minneapolis, MN
General Contractor: Bakers Construction; Westminster, MD
Metal Wall Panel System Manufacturer: Fabral; Lancaster, PA
Metal Distributor: N.B. Handy, Inc; Lynchburg, VA
Architect: Ammon Heisler Sachs Architects; Baltimore, MD
Photo Credit: Fabral
