Building Blocks
Issue 58

The JC Lando project represents a landmark moment for downtown Wheeling, and at Mills Group, we are honored to serve as the architects bringing this vision to life. Our design philosophy for this waterfront development centers on creating a bridge between Wheeling’s storied past and its vibrant future. By carefully selecting materials and architectural elements that respect the historic context of 14th Street while introducing a modern, transformative aesthetic, we are crafting a space that feels both timeless and forward-looking. Every detail, from the building’s massing to its interaction with the waterfront, has been meticulously planned to enhance the city’s skyline and provide a welcoming experience for visitors and residents alike.

Beyond the aesthetics, we view this project as a catalyst for economic growth and community revitalization. Collaborating with the Allen and Lando families and the City of Wheeling has allowed us to integrate functional, high-quality design with the practical needs of a major tourism and lodging destination. This facility is more than just a hotel; it is an anchor for the riverfront that will drive activity, create lasting connections, and help redefine the urban experience in downtown Wheeling. We are incredibly proud to leverage our expertise to shape a project of this magnitude, knowing that it will stand as a testament to the ongoing resurgence of our home city.

Happy Anniversary to Vivian Neely (19 years), Logan Patrick (8 years), Michael West (5 years), Amber Kwasniewski (4 years), Michael Kennedy (4 years), Tom Kilionski (4 years), Sophia Gum (3 years).

Footings & Foundations is Mills Group’s new statewide design podcast, connecting listeners with the people, ideas, and projects shaping West Virginia’s built environment. Hosted by experienced architects and designers, each episode features compelling conversations with leading architects, designers, consultants, builders, and clients. From emerging trends and practical solutions to the stories and strategies behind successful projects, the podcast offers valuable insight, fresh perspectives, and inspiration for professionals across the state.

Designed to be both informative and engaging, each 30–45-minute episode gives guests an opportunity to showcase their expertise, share lessons learned, and promote the work they’re doing in their communities. Mills Group makes participation easy by handling scheduling, recording, and basic post-production, while helping extend each guest’s reach through episode notes and promotional channels. Footings & Foundations is more than a podcast—it’s a platform for elevating great work, building meaningful connections, and advancing the conversation about design and development throughout West Virginia.

You can find a link below to listen to our first episode where we talk to our very own Michael Mills on his past and the origins of Mills Group.

CLICK BELOW:

https://vimeo.com/1218344541?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

Mills Group began by working closely with Mountain Valley Bank to understand its operational needs, organizational goals, growth projections, and vision for their Headquarters remodel. Through stakeholder surveys, interviews, group meetings, and site observations, Mills Group identified departmental, staff, and spatial requirements, as well as project opportunities and constraints. This programming information was organized into a working spreadsheet that captured the Bank’s priorities and management input. Mills Group also documented and verified the existing building and site by reviewing and digitizing available drawings, conducting an on-site assessment, and creating a Revit model, existing-conditions floor plans, and a digital record of the existing facilities.

Using this information, Mills Group developed test-fit studies to explore workspace scenarios, site utilization, circulation, and future growth. The team prepared updated programming data, presentation-quality conceptual site plans, blocking and stacking diagrams for two options, and preliminary cost summaries. Following Mountain Valley Bank’s selection of a preferred direction, Mills Group advanced the project into conceptual and schematic design, including site planning, building placement, access and circulation studies, floor plans, exterior renderings, and conceptual construction-phasing diagrams. Throughout the process, the work focused on creating a design that balanced quality, durability, functionality, and cost control.

The new Community Bank Headquarters in Parkersburg, West Virginia, represents a significant investment in the bank's future while honoring its longstanding commitment to the community. Currently under construction at the prominent corner of 8th Street and Avery, the three-story, 23,000-square-foot facility is designed to serve as a landmark within the city. The building's exterior will feature enduring materials such as stone and brick, conveying a sense of strength, stability, and resilience that reflects the values of Community Bank and its customers.

Inside, the headquarters will house all of the business functions currently located at the Julianna Street office within a modern, thoughtfully designed environment. Visitors will be welcomed by a warm and inviting lobby that blends contemporary elements with subtle references to the bank's rich history and deep community roots. Enhanced greenspace and landscaping will create an attractive and welcoming arrival experience, while a convenient two-lane drive-through equipped with an ATM, Interactive Teller Machine (ITM), and night deposit services will provide customers with expanded access and convenience.

Mills Group has extensive experience designing dental offices, healthcare clinics, and general medical facilities that support West Virginia’s healthcare system. From new construction to renovations and expansions, our team works closely with healthcare providers to create efficient, adaptable environments that meet the needs of patients, staff, and communities. We understand that successful healthcare design goes beyond appearance—it must support effective workflows, accommodate evolving technology, promote safety, and help providers deliver high-quality care.

Our approach places the patient experience at the center of every project. Through thoughtful planning, clear circulation, comfortable waiting and treatment areas, access to natural light, and carefully considered acoustics, materials, and privacy, we create spaces that feel welcoming and reduce the stress often associated with medical visits. At the same time, we address infection control, accessibility, durability, security, and operational efficiency to ensure each facility performs well for years to come. By combining technical expertise with a sensitive understanding of the people who use these spaces, Mills Group delivers healthcare environments that strengthen practices and help improve care across West Virginia.

Community Bread Basket, Inc. is seeking conceptual design assistance to help maximize the potential of its newly donated facility in Weirton, West Virginia. After successfully completing initial renovations to support operations, the organization is planning a second phase focused on improving efficiency, safety, and accessibility through the addition of a loading dock and a redesigned food receiving and storage area. The project will support the nonprofit's mission of serving more than 1,100 individuals each month across Brooke and Hancock Counties by creating a safer, more functional workspace for its largely retirement-age volunteer workforce and enhancing its ability to meet the growing demand for food and basic assistance services.

The Town of Shepherdstown is seeking conceptual planning and architectural visioning services to guide the adaptive reuse of the historic Mecklenburg Tobacco Warehouse, a circa-1788 riverfront landmark and the last remaining commercial building from the town’s founding era. The project aims to transform the flood-prone structure and surrounding site into a resilient civic, cultural, and recreational destination through the creation of community gathering spaces, heritage interpretation exhibits, public boat storage, and improved site infrastructure. By preserving a nationally significant historic asset while enhancing public access to the Potomac River, the project will serve residents, visitors, students, and outdoor recreation users, strengthening Shepherdstown’s connection to its history, natural environment, and growing tourism economy.

The Elkins Fire Department is seeking conceptual architectural services to support the replacement of its aging fire station, portions of which are nearly 100 years old and no longer meet the operational needs of a modern emergency response organization. The project aims to develop a new facility that is ADA-compliant, accommodates a growing workforce serving 24-hour shifts, and provides adequate space for training, contamination reduction, and regional emergency services events. By creating a modern, expandable station, the project will enhance emergency response capabilities, improve firefighter safety and efficiency, and better serve the residents of Elkins and Randolph County for generations to come.

Preston County Camp is seeking conceptual planning and architectural services to guide the revitalization of its 40-acre campus in Bruceton Mills, transforming a beloved youth camp with more than 75 years of history into a modern, accessible, year-round community destination. The project includes replacing a condemned cabin, renovating existing lodging facilities, upgrading the recreation hall, constructing ADA-compliant bathhouse and health services facilities, improving campus-wide accessibility, and enhancing outdoor gathering spaces. By addressing aging infrastructure and accessibility barriers, the project will expand opportunities for youth programs, educational activities, community events, and retreats while creating lasting social and economic benefits for Northern Preston County and the broader region.