The kehoe iron works occupies a 6.3-acre site on the Savannah River, in the Savannah National Historic Landmark District. Built in 1873 and 1902 and closed in 1930, it was acquired by the Savannah Gas Company in the 1940s; it later sat unused for 28 years.
Twelve years ago, Georgia newspaper magnate and philanthropist Charles H. Morris purchased the site with the goal of turning it into a community asset.
In 2013, Morris’s Randolph Street Development firm brought in Lominack Kolman Smith Architects to lead the reconstruction. The five-year effort married three modern additions to Kehoe’s four historic buildings.
Three different shoring systems were used to restore the brick on the historic buildings. Toxic heavy metals from gas tanks on the site had to be remediated.
Entire sections of the machine shop’s corrugated metal cladding were missing; several rusted columns were dangling from trusses. Some historic columns were saved by splicing them with new base materials.
Photo: Richard Leo Johnson/Atlantic Archives.
To address the settling at one corner of one of the historic buildings, the structural and geotechnical engineers designed a system of concrete grade beams placed below the brick foundation wall; these were supported by helical piers to “carry” the brick wall.
A specialty metalworks fabricator recreated a historic walk baluster—part of the complex’s unusual Second Empire tower—based on an 1898 photo.
The new performing arts and events venue has a catering kitchen, a soundproof green room, conference spaces, and a teaching kitchen.
Since opening earlier this year, Kehoe Iron Works has hosted the Savannah Music Festival, Chamber of Commerce events, the Best of Savannah party, and an “American Idol” audition.
Photo: Richard Leo Johnson/Atlantic Archives.
Gold Award Winner
BUILDING TEAM Lominack Kolman Smith Architects (submitting firm, architect) Randolph Street Development (owner) Saussy Engineering (SE) Dulohery Weeks Engineers (MEP) Gueoming Lin (geotechnical engineer) New South Construction (GC, CM) DETAILS 19,782 sf Total cost $18.5 million Construction time June 2013 to November 2017 Delivery method Design-negotiate-build
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE 2018 RECONSTRUCTION AWARDS LANDING PAGE
Related Stories
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 26, 2019
Sweetest sounds: Metropolitan Opera House
An early 20th-century opera house now hosts concerts from Disney Acapella to Weezer.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 25, 2019
The University of Chicago Harris School at the Keller Center
Project team goes all out for LEED Platinum and the Living Building Challenge.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 22, 2019
Let there be light: Union Station Great Hall
What’s the cure for a leaky skylight? Another skylight built above it, of course.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 21, 2019
Temporary quarters: Senate of Canada Building
Canada’s Senate gets an interim home in what was once the capital’s main train station.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 19, 2019
Springfield Technical Community College: Goodbye to 'the shuffle'
College unites student services under one roof.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 18, 2019
The Paint Factory: Not just a new coat of paint
An enlightened A/E firm is spurring redevelopment in an old industrial section of Little Rock.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 15, 2019
Back on track: Union Terminal renovation and restoration
Painstaking care went into restoring Cincinnati’s train terminal/museum complex.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 14, 2019
Museum at the Gateway Arch: Subterranean sensation
The project team used its creativity to overcome floods and other obstacles to construction.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 13, 2019
Zachry Engineering Education Complex: Rethinking engineering education
Texas A&M’s engineering school builds for future growth.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 12, 2019
Linode Headquarters: High-tech + historic
New headquarters mixes old and new to help this fast-growth company attract top talent.
