FRONT ROYAL — Rob MacDougall has a bold vision for one of downtown’s oldest buildings — to honor its long history while ensuring it plays a vital role in the town’s future.

The principal at Front Royal-based TransForm Development, MacDougall is overseeing the renovation and redevelopment of 131 E. Main Street, locally known as the Murphy Building.

The $5 million project, which kicked off late this summer, reimagines the building as a modern performing arts center and co-working office space.

“I’ve always loved this building just because of some of the history and the fact that there was an opera house here. I love the size of it and some of the architectural features of it,” said MacDougall Monday as he described the scope of the project.

MacDougall said that TransForm, which opened in

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