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 27, 2018
Bedford Square: Revivifying urbanity
A suburban mixed-use redevelopment restores ‘the lost art of living closely.'
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 26, 2018
Yarn works: Neverending yarn
111-year-old mill becomes a mixed-income multifamily community.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 20, 2018
Wiseburn High School: New kind of P3
A California school district and a charter school system join forces to open a skills-based high school.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 19, 2018
Weiser Hall, University of Michigan: Campus upgrade
A Mid-century building becomes home to a new International Institute.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 16, 2018
Mass MoCA Building 6: The Robert W. Wilson Building
A textile mill becomes an arts center that energizes a New England town and its region.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 15, 2018
Charles L. Tutt Library, Colorado College: Net-zero in the Rockies
Library expansion reinforces Colorado College’s commitment to carbon neutrality.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 14, 2018
National Arts Centre: O, Canada
Three new wings and a flashy AV display add luster to the nation’s cultural gem.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 13, 2018
20 Times Square: Conquering Times Square
The 20 Times Square mixed-used project at the corner of 47th and Seventh Avenue is indicative of the great lengths Building Teams will go in order to maximize real estate and media opportunities in Times Square.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 12, 2018
Crosstown Concourse: An 'organic' urban village
Memphians band together to rebuild a gigantic Sears distribution facility into a multifaceted community crossroads.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 12, 2018
Cincinnati Music Hall: Saving a cultural anchor
Cincinnati uses ‘skillful triage’ to bring its endangered Music Hall up to date.