Project Profile: Trout CPA

Trout CPA is a full-service certified public accounting firm with offices in Lancaster, Carlisle, and Mechanicsburg. Founded in 1929, Trout provides accounting, auditing, tax, and business consulting services to clients throughout central PA.

As two reputable businesses that have served their communities for over half a century, EGStoltzfus and Trout have a long local history together. So it was a natural fit when Trout reached out to EGStoltzfus Commercial Construction to help them build a second location in Lancaster.

A Return to Lancaster City

Nearly 50 years after leaving Lancaster City for their Manheim Township location which they still operate from, Trout decided it was time to open a branch office downtown, just around the corner from their former Lancaster City address. The new location is in a three-story office building at 158-160 E. King Street.

EGStoltzfus renovated the first and second floors into office space for Trout, with the third floor reserved for a future tenant. The work scope included the removal of existing office walls, floors, and casework and the installation of new office spaces, bathrooms, casework, flooring, lighting, and paint. The project’s square footage totaled approx. 13,000 square feet.

Keeping a Piece of History

One of the unique challenges of this project was maintaining as much of the building’s history as possible. The original intricate tin ceilings were still intact, so EGStoltzfus carefully removed and then reinstalled the ceilings in order to add new wiring for their many technology systems including electrical, servers, phones, security, white noise, and employee card access.

Extra care was also taken to match the interior trim details to the building’s original classic décor.

A Fun & Functional Workspace

Gone are the days of drab office buildings and employee cubicles. Many modern-day workspaces are an intentional reflection of the company’s culture. They often serve as an attractive selling point when recruiting new hires.

Some of the fun yet functional features of Trout’s new downtown office include:

Employee Bistro – This space is a popular gathering spot for employees and features a unique live edge birch island countertop and live edge shelving. The EGStoltzfus team also covered a large drywall area in the Bistro with real brick to create the effect of a historic solid masonry wall.

Rolling Glass Privacy Doors – Trout’s private offices feature large, rolling glass doors that are not only highly functional but also provide a sleek, upscale look to the space.

Maximized Natural Light for Second-Floor Windows – Long channel soffits were designed into the second-floor ceiling to maximize the output of soft natural light from the existing office windows that extended well above the standard ceiling height.

Project Outcome

Despite most of the renovations happening during the COVID-19 pandemic, project completion was not significantly delayed. Work wrapped up in July 2020 and Trout was extremely satisfied with the outcome.

Additional renovation work on the third floor may take place pending the future tenant’s needs for the space.

Photo Gallery

For photos of Trout’s new office, browse our project photo gallery.

Interactive Tour

For a self-guided 360 tour of the office, click here.

For more information about Trout CPA, visit their website.