A Historic Revival in the Heart of Butte, Montana
When Jeff and Danielle Zimmerman first walked past the O’Rourke Building during a trip to Butte, they were immediately struck by its potential. Nestled in the historic fabric of Uptown Butte, the once-abandoned property had great bones, a storied past—and a future worth investing in.
Developed under the Fort + Home company, the project aimed to bring this iconic 1890s structure back to life with purpose. Guided by a belief that real estate can be both financially sound and community-forward, the renovation became a flagship project in Fort + Home’s growing portfolio of adaptive reuse properties.
Scope of Work
The renovation focused on restoring structural integrity, modernizing essential systems, and reimagining the building as a mixed-use asset with residential units. The first floor now features updated living spaces, with additional units underway on the upper floors. Careful attention was paid to preserving historic details while ensuring the building meets modern energy and safety standards.
Key upgrades included:
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Full electrical and plumbing overhaul
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Restoration of original woodwork and masonry
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New energy-efficient windows
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Updated floorplans to support modern residential living
Community Support
Fort + Home received a grant from Butte’s Urban Revitalization Agency to support the project’s electrical upgrades—underscoring the local commitment to restoring the city’s historic downtown core. In recognition of the broader community's efforts to preserve the O'Rourke, Fort + Home hosted a public open house as a thank-you to past stewards of the building.
Impact
What was once a vacant, underutilized property is now a vibrant part of Butte’s housing landscape. This project reflects Fort + Home’s core values: building with purpose, revitalizing communities, and creating long-term value through design, construction, and stewardship.
“This project wasn’t just about restoring a building—it was about honoring its past and making it livable for the next hundred years.”
— Jeff Zimmerman, President, Fort + Home