Walk with Scissors Beauty Academy
Project Details: Church to Beauty School Adaptive Reuse
Winter 2021 – 2022
135 E. Emaus Street, Middletown, PA 17057
Trinity Construction Group, LLC performed a complete commercial adaptive reuse, converting a historic church into a state-of-the-art beauty academy and instructional facility for Discovery Kids / Walk with Scissors. The project seamlessly preserved the building's distinct historic architectural character while engineering a comprehensive, modern interior fit-out featuring instructional stations, administrative offices, an employee kitchenette, and fully compliant ADA facilities.
Project Performance by Trinity Construction Group, LLC:
General Contractor and project management for the entire adaptive reuse build-out, coordinating all borough permitting, site logistics, and subcontractor execution from initial demolition to final handover.
Demo, performed selective interior demolition back to core framing and cut the existing concrete slab in the proposed ADA restroom for underground utility rough-ins before repouring and patching.
Exterior & Structural, removed the original entrance to install a commercial glass storefront door and hardware, constructed a rear exterior concrete diversion curb for site water runoff management, and engineered a fully waterproofed, heavy-duty structural platform at the rear roof line to support the dedicated rooftop HVAC package unit.
Framing, framed all interior partition walls for new offices and ADA restrooms using 2" x 4" studs, built up subflooring flush to existing rear elevations, constructed drop-ceiling soffits in the kitchenette, added interior ramp safety railings, and aligned structural perimeter walls throughout.
Insulation, upgraded the building's thermal envelope with R-49 ceiling insulation, R-21 exterior wall batts, and R-13 acoustic/thermal insulation across interior partition and restroom walls.
HVAC, supplied and rigged a high-efficiency commercial rooftop unit (RTU) onto the structural roof platform, installed weather-sealed roof penetrations and condensate drains, and fabricated an exposed spiral duct distribution system through the main hall alongside dedicated supply/return drops, ceiling diffusers, digital thermostats, and kitchenette laundry ventilation.
Plumbing, installed complete rough-in and finish plumbing systems using PEX supply lines and PVC drainage/vent stacks, serving five salon wash bowl stations, commercial ADA fixtures, an employee kitchenette sink, integrated shut-off valves, and a dedicated drinking fountain.
Electrical, wired rough and finish electrical infrastructure including quad and standard wall/floor outlets, modern track accent lighting, recessed LED downlights, 22 illuminated vanity mirror stations for students, commercial restroom exhaust fans, large open-space ceiling fans, telecommunication drops, and life-safety remote emergency lighting and exit signage.
Drywall, hung 1/2" drywall throughout the main interior and moisture-resistant 1/2" greenboard in restrooms, taping, blending, and finishing all surfaces flush with existing walls ready for paint.
Carpentry & Trim, installed corrugated half-wall fascia and custom trim-out across the main instructional salon floor, fitted new solid-core interior doors and commercial hardware, and crafted custom baseboards, window casings, and perimeter door trim throughout.
Kitchenette & Amenities, installed cabinetry with Formica countertops, stainless utility sink, rear shelving, and integrated connections for an in-house commercial laundry suite.
Flooring, prepped and leveled subfloors across the entire footprint and installed commercial-grade Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring.
Painting, painted all interior drywall, ceilings, trim profiles, window casings, and doors throughout the facility.
Fixtures & Safety, assembled and mounted 22 student styling stations and vanity mirrors, plumbed 5 commercial shampoo wash stations, fitted ADA grab bars and bathroom accessories, and installed code-compliant fire extinguishers and ADA directional signage.