Les Schwab, Lewiston

The Les Schwab modernization project in Lewiston, Idaho, exemplifies the successful transformation of a long-standing community asset through innovative design, technical expertise, and a client-focused approach. This remodel addressed the operational, aesthetic, and safety needs of a busy tire center while overcoming significant challenges inherent to the site and existing structure. 
 
The project’s scope included a complete interior and exterior renovation, a dramatic facelift that made the facility the most visually appealing business on Lewiston’s Main Street. A key innovation was the enclosure and expansion of the service bays, which were previously outside under a canopy. By bringing these bays inside, Les Schwab improved staff comfort, equipment protection, and operational efficiency. 
 
The building’s age and history of multiple additions created complex roof geometry with different roof levels at varying heights. The project team replaced the spray-foam roof and installed new structural beams after discovering hidden damage, ensuring long-term durability and safety. The design team retrofitted a fire sprinkler system into the building to ensure life safety requirements were met. 
 
Site constraints presented additional challenges. The original parking arrangement forced customers to back out into the street, creating safety concerns. Our landscape design team worked with the city to enhance safety, adding landscaping and upgrading the adjacent lot for better customer access. 
 
Throughout construction, the store remained open, thanks to a carefully phased plan that minimized disruption to business operations. The project was completed on a tight schedule, despite unforeseen structural repairs and the need for continuous business operations. The result is a revitalized, efficient, and welcoming Les Schwab Tire Center that not only boosted sales but also set a new standard for modernization within the brand.