Transforming a 100 Year Old Church into a Modern Mixed-Use Destination

The Northwest Square Redevelopment in Downtown DeLand stands as one of Central Florida Building’s most transformative and ambitious projects. What began as a 100-year-old historic church was completely reimagined into a modern mixed-use destination while preserving the original architectural character and craftsmanship.

Central Florida Building led the entire adaptive reuse process, converting the aging structure into boutique apartments, an upscale event venue, multiple restaurant spaces, retail boutiques, and short-term rental (Airbnb) units. The project required extensive structural reinforcement, full interior remodeling, updated electrical and life-safety systems, and careful restoration of historic details, paired with contemporary design and functionality. Exterior refinishing, site improvements, and tenant-ready build-outs helped breathe new life into the property, turning it into a vibrant hub for residents, visitors, and local businesses.

Today, Northwest Square serves as a cornerstone of DeLand’s continued revitalization, showcasing Central Florida Building’s expertise in commercial redevelopment, historic preservation, and adaptive reuse construction.

Construction site indoor with piles of sand, pipes, a chair, and construction materials under open ceiling beams, with sunlight coming through windows.
Construction worker installing or repairing pipes in an indoor building with exposed dirt and construction materials.
A man working on plumbing inside a construction site, wearing a camouflage shirt and a black cap, installing pipes.
Construction site inside a building with dirt piles, PVC pipes, and a plastic figurine of a construction worker.
Collection of white PVC pipes and fittings on the floor in a hardware or plumbing store.
Two men working on blueprints in an unfinished room with construction materials and dust on the floor.
Construction site showing sand, concrete, and plumbing pipes prepared for building installation.
Room under renovation with blue walls, exposed ceiling beams, and construction materials on the floor.
Room under construction with scattered sand and four PVC pipes protruding from the ground, with some piles of sand and an unfinished doorway in the background.
View of a building's exposed wooden ceiling framework with electrical wires, blue walls, and an HVAC unit in the lower left corner.
Interior of a classroom with exposed wooden ceiling beams, blue-painted walls, and windows letting in natural light.
Black and white photo of a mural on a brick wall featuring a figure with outstretched arms, surrounded by small handprints, and text that reads 'We are still his hands!'. The ceiling is exposed with wooden beams and rafters.
An indoor room with a ceiling under construction, showing exposed wooden framing and unknown structures. The room has two windows on the far wall and a projection screen hanging from the ceiling.
Black and white photo of an unfinished ceiling with exposed pipes and metal framework, and a window with blinds.
Ceiling with exposed metal framework, pipes, and red sprinkler system components in a building under construction or renovation.
A person wearing glasses and an orange t-shirt is working on an industrial ceiling structure, using tools to assemble or repair metal framework.
A person working on a metal structure, securing a bolt with a wrench. The person's hands and arms are dirty with dirt and grease, and they are wearing an orange shirt. The metal pipes have white text that appears to be technical specifications or ins
A man standing on a ladder working on the ceiling in a room with construction materials and a large window.
A person standing on a ladder working on a suspended ceiling structure in a room with large windows and tools, surrounded by construction materials.
A desk with blueprints and papers on it in an unfinished room with a wall featuring painted black irregular shapes.
Interior of a room under renovation with damaged walls, exposed wooden beams, and a large pile of insulation on the floor. Three windows are visible, allowing natural light into the space, with one window on the right showing some brick wall and a da
Interior of a house under renovation with exposed wooden beams, insulation on the floor, unfinished walls, and multiple windows.
An abandoned room under renovation with drywall and insulation exposed, a window on the right side, and pink insulation scattered on the dirty floor
Interior of a building under renovation with the ceiling partially demolished, showing exposed wooden beams and insulation, debris on the floor, and construction tools and materials scattered around.
Interior view of a building under construction, with exposed dirt floor, partially dug trenches, and construction pipes.
Interior of a house under renovation with exposed wooden framing, a window, and a partially demolished wall.
Interior room under renovation with exposed brick wall and two white-framed windows. The wall has patches of green paint and partially removed drywall, revealing bricks. Construction materials and electrical wiring on the floor.
Inside a room under renovation, several white plumbing pipes protrude through plastic sheeting on the floor, with exposed walls and wooden framing in the background.
Construction site with concrete floor, exposed brick wall, pipes, and trash bins, indicating ongoing building work.
A construction site indoor with a partially dug hole in the floor, measuring tools, and a small white bathroom fixture, possibly a toilet, in the hole.
Bathroom renovation in progress with a new toilet flange installed on a partially tiled floor, covered with protective paper and tape.
Interior of a room under renovation with exposed wooden ceiling beams, three windows, partially removed drywall revealing brick wall, construction tools, and debris on the floor.
Interior of an unfinished room with exposed wooden ceiling beams, two windows, and partially removed wall exposing brick and drywall.
Interior of a building under renovation showing exposed wooden ceiling beams, partially demolished walls, construction tools, and materials on the floor.
Interior of a building under renovation with exposed ceiling beams, unfinished walls, and construction tools on the floor.
Empty church interior under renovation with wood flooring, stained glass windows, suspended lighting fixtures, and construction materials and equipment.
Interior of a building under renovation with wooden framework of a staircase and damaged flooring, construction equipment and orange extension cords on the floor.
Church interior under renovation with construction tools, pliable wood sheets, a wheelbarrow, and scattered construction materials, with stained glass windows and hanging lights.
Interior of a church under renovation, showing wooden chair frames removed, exposing the curved floor underneath, with construction tools and debris on the floor.
The image shows a damaged wooden floor with sawdust, an angled crowbar, part of a wooden bench, and some scattered wood chips and nails.
A woodworking workspace showing a partially sanded hardwood floor, with a black protective mat in the middle and tools nearby.
Interior of a church under renovation, with wooden pews, a stage with a rug, stained glass windows, and construction materials scattered around.
Piles of wooden floorboards stacked on a table inside a church or hall under renovation, with some windows and chairs in the background.
Interior of a space undergoing renovation with broken and removed flooring, wooden chairs, and construction tools scattered around.
Inside a church or chapel with wooden pews and stained glass windows, some wooden planks are stacked on one bench, suggesting ongoing renovation or maintenance.
Workers installing a wooden floor in a church with stained glass windows.
Interior of a building under renovation with wooden floor framing and exposed wall framing, with some insulation and construction tools visible.
Interior of a church undergoing renovations with workers installing a wooden floor and pews, stained glass windows on the sides.
Construction workers working inside a large church or hall with stained glass windows, hanging pendant lights, and a high vaulted ceiling.
Workers installing wooden flooring or stage in a large church hall with stained glass windows.
Construction site with wooden planks, tools, and equipment on a plywood floor. A miter saw with wood scraps is visible, along with a curved bar and a partially built wooden wall or cabinetry in the background.
Person wearing blue jeans and white sneakers using a hammer to install wooden flooring while standing on the new floor.
Interior of a church or hall under renovation with a raised wooden stage, construction tools, and equipment scattered around.
Interior of a room under construction with drywall installed, construction materials stacked on the floor, and exposed pipes and ductwork on the ceiling.
An unfinished interior room under construction with bare walls, exposed pipes, a ladder, and stacked boxes of construction supplies.
Interior of a room under construction with brick walls, three large windows, ladders, boxes of building materials, and exposed pipes on the ceiling.
Empty room under construction with drywall installation, electrical outlets, and openings for doors and windows.
Interior of a house under construction with unfinished walls, electrical wiring, and a mounted ceiling fixture, natural light coming through windows.
Interior of a room under construction with unfinished walls and ceiling, a wooden door leaning against the wall, a scaffold in the center, a window in the background, and colorful wall art with a person and the text "We Still this Hands!"
Empty room under construction with unfinished drywall, exposed window frames, and a ceiling air conditioning unit. Piles of wood and construction materials are on the floor.
Construction site of an interior wall with two chalkboards, a step ladder, construction materials, and tools.
A storage room with stacks of white boxes labeled 'White Shaker' and kitchen cabinets, pipes, and a piano.
A yellow Caterpillar mini excavator parked in front of a brick building under a clear blue sky.
A construction site on a sidewalk, with dirt and a small excavator, beside a brick building and trees, under a blue sky.
A man working on an outdoor HVAC unit next to a brick building, using a power drill on the unit.
A man cleaning a concrete floor with a floor scrubber machine in a room with white walls, construction buckets, and a doorway.
A doorway with a partially finished wooden floor transition from concrete to hardwood flooring. The hardwood has a glossy finish, while the concrete is rough and unfinished. Construction supplies and tools are visible nearby.
Two men working on refinishing a wooden floor inside a house, with paint cans and brushes nearby.
Two men are working on renovating an interior room with brick walls, large windows, and wooden flooring. One man is kneeling near a doorway, applying a coat of paint or sealant to the floor, while the other man is painting or sealing the fireplace ma
A view from the top of a staircase looking down, showing a person sitting at the bottom wearing a red bandana, with construction tools and materials nearby, and multiple levels of wooden stairs and floors.
A large brick church with a tall steeple and arched windows, front door with steps, surrounded by trees, during a sunset with pink and purple clouds.
Outdoor courtyard outside a brick building decorated with string lights at dusk, with tables and trees.
View of an empty, spacious church with high vaulted ceiling, large windows with stained glass, hanging lantern lights, and a wooden floor.
Empty, spacious room with high vaulted ceiling, large stained glass windows, wooden floor, hanging pendant lights, and a small stage at the front.
Interior view of a room with a curved white wooden panel with recessed rectangular designs, dark hardwood flooring, large stained glass windows, and a partial view of a balcony or elevated area with a yellow railing.
Interior of a room with a white wainscot and dark hardwood floor, large windows, and some cabinetry.
Interior view of a raised wooden stage with curved white base, dark floor steps, high arched stained glass window, and light-colored walls with wainscoting.
Open-concept living room and kitchen with brick accent wall, yellow sofa, glass coffee table, dining table with blue chairs, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a bed in the background.
An empty event space with wooden floors, white walls, exposed brick wall, multiple windows, string lights hanging from the ceiling, and television screens displaying 'Northwest Square'. There are white chairs and tables set up in the center of the ro
Empty church interior with wooden floor, white walls, high wooden ceiling with exposed beams, several white curtains covering tall windows, and a stained glass window at the altar area, lit by hanging lanterns.
An outdoor courtyard illuminated with string lights, brick buildings surrounding the space, and trees with lights, during dusk.
A brick church building with large arched windows and a sign on the lawn. The sign reads 'Northwest Square' and advertises a reunion show at the church.
Living room with brick walls, large windows, a white sectional sofa, a fireplace with a mounted TV, and a wooden coffee table.
Open-concept kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, a small dining island with wicker chairs, hardwood floors, exposed brick wall, and hanging ceiling lights.
Open kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher, a small island with two wicker chairs, brick accent wall, and a stacked washer and dryer.
Living room with a white sectional sofa, wooden coffee table with decorative tray and flowers, and a wooden cabinet. The background features a kitchen with white cabinets, a stainless steel fridge, and a built-in microwave. There are wooden bar stool
A bedroom with brick walls, a bed with beige bedding and pillows, two bedside tables, and two windows with white frames and curtains, showing a blue sky with clouds outside.
Living room with a beige sectional sofa, wooden coffee table, exposed brick wall, and hardwood floors. There are three windows with white curtains and a ceiling light fixture.
Empty apartment with hardwood floors, white walls, and an open kitchen with white cabinets and stainless steel appliances.
Empty room with hardwood floors, white and exposed brick walls, and large windows showing trees outside.
Empty room with hardwood floors, beige walls, exposed brick wall on the right, two blackboards on the left wall, and a window on the right wall.
Empty room with polished wooden floors, cream-colored walls, and a textured brick wall with patches of different brick patterns.
Empty room with hardwood floors, a white wall with two doors, and a brick wall with windows covered by cardboard.
Empty living room with hardwood floors, exposed brick wall, window, and adjacent small bathroom with toilet and sink.
Empty modern kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and hardwood floors.
Bathroom with a shower area, toilet, granite countertop with a sink, and a large round mirror on a green wall
Modern kitchen with three large windows, exposed brick wall, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, wooden floors, and a ceiling HVAC unit.
Interior of an apartment with an exposed brick wall, hardwood floors, and large windows. There is a small kitchen area with white cabinets and appliances. A separate bathroom with a toilet and shower stall is visible.
Empty room with wood flooring, white walls, exposed brick wall, drywall ceiling with visible pipes, ducts, and lighting fixtures.
Empty living room with dark hardwood floors, cream-colored walls, and two large windows. The kitchen area has white cabinets, a stainless steel refrigerator, and a microwave, with a small breakfast bar.
Empty room with hardwood floors, kitchen area with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and three open closet spaces with white folding doors.
Laundry utility room with stainless steel sinks labeled for washing, rinsing, and sanitizing, and a blue wall with a small counter and a black stool.
Interior of a commercial or industrial space with a blue partition wall, a counter with a wooden top, a sink, shelves, and a ceiling with exposed ductwork and lighting panels. An exit door is visible on the left.
A spacious living area with brick and stone accent walls, a bed in the corner, and vintage-style furniture including armchairs, a sofa, a wooden coffee table, and side tables with lamps.
Living room with exposed brick wall, hardwood floors, beige and gray furniture, a wooden coffee table, a TV on a wooden stand, window with white curtains, and a lamp on a side table.
Living room with a gray sofa, wooden coffee table, cream walls, brick accent wall, large windows with white curtains, wooden floor, nearby television, and a doorway leading to an adjoining room with exposed brick wall.