November is the month of thanks, and while Thanksgiving has come and gone, we’d still like to show some love to our hometown, Springfield, Missouri.
Small Town Vibes, Big City Amenities
Springfield is unique in that it provides the amenities of a big city with the warmth and accessibility of a smaller community. Springfield seamlessly balances small town hospitality with cool, urban opportunities and feel.
Variety of Food
Springfield offers more than 1,000 restaurants. We’re lucky that we have access to such diverse dining options. Benjamin Van Eps, BR&P Partner, says, “We have sales reps that come in from bigger cities. Every time you hear from them they tell us, ‘I don’t know what the deal is with Springfield, but you all have such good restaurants.” From fine dining to local “hole in the walls,” you’re sure to find something to chow down on.
The Great Outdoors
Living in the Ozark Mountains has its perks. Springfield is located near four national parks and forests and has dozens of nearby lakes and streams. This is great if you enjoy hiking, camping or floating. “There’s a ton of outdoor activities to do around here. I frequently go down to the Buffalo River or hike at Busiek State Park which is about 30 minutes away,” says Colton Todd, BR&P Architect. “One of my favorite things about Springfield is that when you drive out of town in twenty to thirty minutes you’re in the wilderness,” says Mike Harned, BR&P Architect.
Craft Breweries
It’s hard to not talk about our awesome craft breweries in Springfield. Springfield’s crazy about supporting local, especially our breweries. There are several throughout town. One of them is Springfield Brewing Company. In 1998, Paul Mueller approached BR&P to design a space that would showcase their one-of-a-kind stainless steel tanks for the brewery at their current space on Market Avenue. Another goal of the project was to keep as much original character of the building as possible, while creating a friendly and fun atmosphere.
Another past project is the White River Brewing Company on historic C-street. We assisted with the renovation of their current building. Also, a crowd pleaser, Mother’s, is a place where many of our team members spend a lot of time in the summer in part to the Downtown Wiffleball League and proximity to our office.
Ease of Travel
While some of our team members actually pilot their own planes and appreciate Springfield for its proximity to the downtown airport, we also love the Springfield-Branson National Airport. The airport connects to 13 different cities and hubs across the United States, all with short check-ins and security lines. Another option for travelers is the Branson Airport, which is also a past BR&P project.
Family Friendly Atmosphere
“Family is here and that’s what kept me around; it’s a big part of life,” says Layne Hunton, BR&P Architect. Like Layne, for many of us, Springfield allows us to be in a larger town while remaining close to our families. There’s also a ton of family-friendly activities including tons of festivals, more than 70 city parks to enjoy, sporting events, and attractions including the recently opened Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium.
College Town
Home to several universities including Drury, Missouri State and Evangel, Springfield is a college town. “One of the things I love about Springfield is there’s always young energy that I don’t think you get in other cities,” explains Laura Daughtery, BR&P Architect. With a student population nearing 50,000, you can feel that vibe, especially in August when the students come back for the school year.
Great for Young Professionals
Recently, Forbes ranked Springfield as #1 on their 7 Cities You Didn’t Expect to be Great for Business, allowing for a thriving entrepreneur and start-up culture. There are also many networking groups for young professionals including Springfield Creatives, The Network, Rosie and many educational seminars held at the eFactory. It’s also helpful that Springfield’s cost of living stays consistently 10% below the national average, allowing your dollars to go further.
Get Artsy
The Springfield art scene is surprisingly extensive. There’s not a lack of activities: First Friday Art Walk, watching Broadway plays at Hammons Hall, concerts at the Gillioz (or a variety of other venues), to checking out the local theater productions at the Landers Theatre. There’s always something going on! Just take a quick walk downtown, and you can experience the Springfield Sculpture Walk or take some time to wander through the Springfield Art Museum.
Downtown Atmosphere
We may be biased, having our offices located downtown, but we love being in the neighborhood. Within the last ten to fifteen years, there has been a ton of work put into revitalizing our downtown. More than $400 million of private and public money has gone into historic renovations, high-tech research facilities and the Springfield Cardinals Triple-A Baseball Stadium. BR&P has designed multiple downtown landmarks including the Gillioz Theatre, Park Central Square and most recently, the City Utilities Transit Center.
Also in the November Newsletter: Hospitality Design Trends 2018 BR&P Welcomes Brenda Horn