Gunter Breathes New Life Into Historic Downtown Belton Building

By FRED AFFLERBACH | Photography contributed

Belton businessman Mike Gunter was so frustrated after another long day renovating the century-old building he had just bought he had to blow off some steam. “One day, I got a phone call driving home. I pulled over on the access road. I got out and I literally kicked the tires on my pickup—all the way around,” Gunter said. “I settled back down. Made a phone call and moved on from there. I think the most interesting thing, at the end of the day, I think it wasn’t anybody’s fault. Stuff happens.”

A lot of “stuff” can, and did, happen on Gunter’s journey transforming the historically designated building at 204 N. Penelope in downtown Belton into a modern home for about 10 businesses. A family of raccoons living upstairs was evicted. Inside, workers gutted the building, converting it into an empty shell. Outside, they fastened themselves to a nearby backhoe and power washed the greasy and slippery roof. Gunter himself helped dig up old sewer and water lines.

And because the structure is designated an historically contributing building, plans had to adhere to specific guidelines that wouldn’t affect new construction. The project began in 2017 and was completed earlier this year. Although Gunter was still running his business, Gunter Real Estate Holdings, he visited the job site several times a day.

“I wouldn’t say I started out to make it what it is; it kind of evolved. We reached this point where we spent this much money — we gotta’ keep going. If we’re going to do it, we might as well do it first class. To some degree, everybody in my family got involved,” Gunter said. “Being a renovation, it wasn’t like new construction where you got a set of plans and just go build it. We were always finding unique things about the building. How it was laid out. How we needed to move this wall.”

The Gunter family celebrated the official ribbon-cutting ceremony in May. The city of Belton nominated the building for a Texas Downtown Association President’s Award for 2019.

Why bite off a landmark project such as this? Gunter and his wife, Nancy, had constructed several new buildings before. So they had some experience. And the family business was renting office space and needed a permanent home. So when the building came up for sale at auction, Gunter bought it.

Gunter has managed to create a modern, energy-efficient building without sacrificing the building’s original character. The new and old features actually complement each other.

After scouring downtown Belton, looking at awnings on old buildings, Gunter had workers replicate a popular style from yesteryear. Inside, the building showcases some historic features such as new, custom, transoms and sliding barn doors like the one used back when the building was home to Belton Bus Company.

Moving into the 21st century, modern color patterns and light fixtures compliment new ceramic tile. The long corridor wall that runs down the heart of the building is decorated with paintings and sketches from local artists. And if you fall in love with that special piece, buy it. All art items are for sale.

The one-story, 1,900 square-foot brick building also reflects some of downtown Belton’s business history. The building was home to Ford and Chevrolet dealerships in the 1920s and ‘30s, an indoor bus terminal in the 1940s, and more recently, a restaurant, a furniture store and an archery range. Gunter said visitors have commented that they bought their first car here.

Just inside the front door, Gunter installed a shadow box containing relics discovered during renovation. “Those are old brake shoes off an old Model-T. That’s a corner spike from the corner of the property. That’s a handle, probably a door handle off an old vehicle. These wrenches are vintage, about 1915 to 1920.”

Now that the construction dust has settled, the building is home to a diverse community of small businesses — a chiropractor, a wellness center, a design company, an insurance company and an eatery, among several others.

Before moving into the Gunter Building, Brooke May was operating a food trailer. Looking for something “brick and mortar,” she opened La Luncheonette near the main entrance.

“It’s a beautiful story. I know from people’s faces when they come in, they go, ‘whoa.’ They can’t believe it’s the same building,” May said. “With the other people in the building, everyone has their own kind of theme or design or whatnot. It’s just a great flow. People that come in, they can look at the art, walk around. It’s just not stone cold walls. Everybody appreciates it.”

The designer who helped breathe new life into the tired, old structure also leases office space in the building. Jason Orlowski said that the project struck his fancy from the start, although he knew it would be a challenge.

“The condition of the building was a little spooky at first. It was an historic building. We had to go through some hoops,” Orlowski said. “The project evolved quite a bit—all the way up to the finish line. I don’t think anything was settled until it was done. That kept everybody on their toes. The building turned out amazing. There’s a really good business community vibe here.”

Fondly looking back on some stressful times during renovation, Gunter recalled someone asking him if he would like to buy and renovate another building. “People ask me, ‘What’s your next project? Would you do it again?’”
Gunter’s answer: “I gotta breathe.”