· 3 min read
The Florence Building
A Digital Refresh for a Missoula Landmark:
The New Florence Building Website
In the heart of downtown Missoula stands one of the city’s most beloved historical landmarks—the Florence Building. With its distinctive architecture, rich legacy, and role as a bustling hub for local businesses, the Florence is more than just a building it’s a cornerstone of the community.
Recently, Ape Forge had the privilege of helping bring this legacy into the digital age.
Recently, Ape Forge had the privilege of helping bring this legacy into the digital age.
Why the Update Was Needed
The previous Florence Building website was showing signs of age with an outdated design, difficult navigation, and limited functionality for both visitors and tenants. As a building that hosts a variety of businesses, events, weddings, and professional offices, it needed a web presence that was both modern and functional, while still honoring the building’s historic character.
We noticed the opportunity and reached out to the building’s owners to see how we could help.
We noticed the opportunity and reached out to the building’s owners to see how we could help.
A Collaborative Redesign
Working closely with the Florence Building’s ownership and management, Ape Forge developed a robust new website designed to be a useful tool for tenants, a resource for visitors, and a digital reflection of the building’s prestige.
The goals were clear:
The goals were clear:
- Preserve the heritage of the building through design and storytelling
- Support tenants with updated features and better visibility
- Engage the public with event listings and easy navigation
Key Features of the New Website
A Tribute to History
The new design draws inspiration from the building’s Art Deco features, with subtle visual cues that nod to its architectural charm. We included historical content and photography that highlight the building’s transformation since it first opened in 1941.
Tenant Directory
With dozens of businesses housed within the Florence Building, it was important to create a space where each tenant could be easily found. The new directory is clean, searchable, and mobile-friendly. Perfect for locals and visitors alike.
Events Calendar
The Florence is more than just offices; it’s a gathering place. We added an interactive events calendar so the community can stay up to date on what’s happening in and around the building whether it’s a gallery event, open house, or seasonal celebration.
Modern Functionality
Behind the scenes, we built the site with flexibility and performance in mind. It’s responsive, SEO-friendly, and easy for building staff to update ensuring that it stays current long after launch.
The new design draws inspiration from the building’s Art Deco features, with subtle visual cues that nod to its architectural charm. We included historical content and photography that highlight the building’s transformation since it first opened in 1941.
Tenant Directory
With dozens of businesses housed within the Florence Building, it was important to create a space where each tenant could be easily found. The new directory is clean, searchable, and mobile-friendly. Perfect for locals and visitors alike.
Events Calendar
The Florence is more than just offices; it’s a gathering place. We added an interactive events calendar so the community can stay up to date on what’s happening in and around the building whether it’s a gallery event, open house, or seasonal celebration.
Modern Functionality
Behind the scenes, we built the site with flexibility and performance in mind. It’s responsive, SEO-friendly, and easy for building staff to update ensuring that it stays current long after launch.
A Digital Presence Worthy of the Florence
We’re proud to have partnered with the Florence Building team to create a website that honors the past while serving the present. This project reflects what we’re all about at Ape Forge--blending thoughtful design with practical technology to create tools that serve real people, real businesses, and real communities.
You can explore the new site at www.florencebuilding.com and experience one of Missoula’s historic gems in a whole new way.
You can explore the new site at www.florencebuilding.com and experience one of Missoula’s historic gems in a whole new way.