3rd Street Rehabilitation, Leland MS

The place

Thirteen historic properties in the downtown Leland Historic District, on the banks of Deer Creek. Phase 1 covered three contiguous buildings on 3rd Street whose original storefronts had been lost.

The decisions

Kudzu Collective designed replicated storefronts created from historic photographs taken during the 1927 Flood — a documented record of what the block actually looked like, rather than a guess at period character. Historic tax credits were utilized by the owner.

The outcome

Phase 1 was completed in 2024, and the owner has located boutique retail in all three finished spaces.

What's next

Phase 2 is currently in design. As with Phase 1, Ryan Biles has designed new storefronts for three buildings that are architecturally compatible with each building's period of significance. A mix of retail, wellness services, and a coffee shop is contemplated for these tenant spaces.

Why replicate rather than invent

A storefront drawn from a dated photograph can be documented to a reviewer, which is what keeps a rehabilitation eligible for historic tax credits. It is also the difference between a building that reads as itself and one that reads as a theme.