Upon completion in 1894, the 17-story Arc at Old Colony became one of the tallest buildings in Chicago. In more recent times, its stylistically antiquated spaces, outmoded technology, and deteriorating infrastructure made it unsuitable for commercial use.
But owner Campus/MCJ Development JV saw the building’s 68-foot-wide vintage floor plans, voluminous lobby, and myriad elevators as perfect for redevelopment as a historically charming residential building.
The Building Team, helmed by design firm Pappageorge Haymes Partners, restored ornate turrets, a two-story terra cotta colonnade band, the projecting cornice, round oriel corner bays, and more than six hundred oversized windows.
Two exterior fire escapes were removed as part of the project, which meant that an enclosed staircase from the basement to the roof had to be built to provide a second means of egress. However, the building’s existing skin had large protruding cornices and brick kneels, which made the use of an outside hoist impossible.
So the team cleverly used a one-ton hoist to lift unitized sections of stairs up through the building and stage them on individual floors in three sections.
Courtesy Pappageorge Haymes Partners.
PROJECT SUMMARY
Silver Award Winner | Chicago, Ill.
Building Team: Pappageorge Haymes Partners (submitting firm, architect); Campus/MCJ Development JV (owner/developer); BKV Group (interior designer); Stearn-Joglekar (SE); AMS Mechanical Systems (ME); JMS Electrical Engineering; O’Sullivan Inc. (plumbing engineer); James McHugh Construction Co. (GC).
Details: 198,484 sf. Construction cost: $60 million. Construction time: February 2014 to July 2015. Delivery method: Design-build.
Related Stories
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 16, 2015
Lumberyard turned into Chicago charter school
While the existing structures were in poor condition, the Building Team preserved and restored 75% of the spaces and incorporated historic elements in the final design of the Intrinsic School on Chicago's Northwest side.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 12, 2015
Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School grows with the times
The 251-year-old NYC school was a design-build project that overcame issues like tight space and zoning appeals during its redevelopment.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 10, 2015
Restoration of the Whitney Building provides hope for Detroit
Four years ago, Whitney Partners purchased the 253,000-sf Whitney for $3.3 million. Their mission was to turn the 19-story structure into a mixed-use hotel, rental apartment, and retail center that would serve as a reminder of more prosperous times in Detroit’s past.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 9, 2015
University of Chicago uses space economically with Saieh Hall
The five-story, 100,000-sf seminary was converted into a modern education facility that would be fully integrated into the university’s Hyde Park campus. The project demonstrated the university’s commitment to finding a balance between new construction and adaptive reuse of historically significant buildings.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 9, 2015
King of kings: Classic brooklyn movie theater stages a return engagement
The theater, which withstood vacancy, neglect and vandalism, has been redeveloped with a goal: balance preservation with the creation of a modern performance space.
