Two local firms will join forces to give the vacant Stivers auto dealership a green face lift.

Simonson & Associates Architects LLC and Gilmor & Doyle Ltd. have major green renovation plans for the 24,028-square-foot building at 1717 Ingersoll Ave. Both businesses could be housed in the building as soon as this summer.

Project manager Eric Wessels of Simonson & Associates said they’re hoping to achieve a silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council under its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design guidelines. The building will have a new reflective roof to reduce solar absorption, a “gray water” recycling system that will collect rainwater for use in the building’s toilets, a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, energy-efficient entrances, 10 skylights, a resurfaced parking lot and a lighting system controlled by sensors to adjust the interior lighting for peak efficiency.

For Justin Doyle, manager at Gilmor & Doyle, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is a highlight for the building. Doyle said the system can recover lost heat from the building and will use an array of room sensors to heat or cool each room individually depending on the number of occupants.

Both firms are planning on integrating designs and products that they use and sell into the building. “We’re looking forward to showing off our skills to our customers,” said Doyle. “It’s not very typical to do, and it’s a unique opportunity.”

The architecture firm will occupy 10,000 square feet of space in the building, and Gilmor & Doyle will occupy 9,900 square feet. Both firms plan on adding staff once they’re fully moved in.

Wessels added that the old auto showroom will be converted into a restaurant. Details could not be released on the future eatery, but Wessels said he has fielded inquiries from many interested parties including one that moved its business plan ahead by an entire year to fill the possible spot.

Both firms are located in Urbandale and when the move is complete will have more than double their current space.

Wessels said the remodeling of the building could start as soon as this month, and the cost of the environmentally friendly project is estimated at $1.4 million.

Wessels sees the new spot in Des Moines as a great location for the growing architecture firm.

“We picked this building because of its location,” Wessels said. “We wanted to move downtown and wanted to be a part of that mix.”

Doyle said he’s thrilled about the move from Urbandale to refurbished new building downtown.

“Our whole staff is excited about moving into the core,” he said. “It’s closer to our client, it has a high visibility and closer proximity to entertainment. It’s just a new cool building.”