Mid-twentieth-century projects are in a state of limbo. In many cities, safeguards against quick demolition don't even cover “new” buildings built after 1939, yet many such buildings may be obsolete by current standards. The Farmers and Mechanics Savings Bank, located in downtown Minneapolis, was one such building, a rare example of architecture from a time when American design was big, strong, and proud, but because of the Depression, actual building was rare.
The 1942 McEnary and Krafft-designed banking hall, on the National Register of Historic Places, was notable for its classic Streamline Moderne design touches. Its tower addition, which opened in 1963, featured sleek, International Style lines reminiscent of New York's Rockefeller Center and accented with bas-relief carvings on the limestone exterior and stylized owls in the glass blocks above the main entry.
But by 2005, the F&M Savings building sat empty on one of Minneapolis's busiest thoroughfares. Luckily, F&M Savings caught the eye of Ryan Cos., which was just completing the rehabilitation of the Minneapolis Sears building into the Midtown Exchange (see BD+C October 2006, p. 42). The grand lobby, with its tiered ceiling, marble floors, and wood paneling, encouraged the Ryan firm to have local architects Elness Swenson Graham review the feasibility of transforming the bank into a Westin hotel. After the project was endorsed by Westin owner Starwood Properties, Ryan Cos. purchased the building and managed its modernization and restoration.
Converting the interior of the building to a 214-room, four-star hotel while simultaneously restoring the building's exterior to its original design aesthetic was no small task for Ryan Cos., which served as both design-build GC and developer. The Building Team also had to meet certain standards to keep the building on the U.S. Secretary of Interior's Historic Registry.
“This is an unusual project and a tough conversion because hotels are so formulaic—certain room sizes, bathroom locations,” said Reconstruction Awards honorary chair Walker Johnson, FAIA, principal with Lasky Architects, Chicago. “This type of building is much easier to do new.”
Gray paint that had been slathered over the 1963 tower addition was carefully removed from the curtain wall, resurrecting its original blue-green hue. New custom-made double-glazed windows and interior insulation of the curtain wall have made the tower energy efficient while retaining its original appearance. An entirely new plumbing infrastructure was installed to serve the 214 hotel rooms.
The guest rooms, located in the tower, include 19 suites to meet Starwood's requirements for the Westin brand.
“It's nice to see a building from this time period that people thought was worth saving,” said awards panelist Carrie Warner, senior project engineer at Halvorson & Partners, Chicago.
Related Stories
| Feb 13, 2012
New medical city unveiled in Abu Dhabi
SOM’s design for the 838-bed, three-million-square foot complex creates a new standard for medical care in the region.
| Feb 10, 2012
Mortenson Construction research identifies healthcare industry and facility design trends
The 2012 Mortenson Construction Healthcare Industry Study includes insights and perspectives regarding government program concerns, the importance of lean operations, flexible facility design, project delivery trends, improving patient experience, and evidence-based design.
| Feb 2, 2012
Next phase of construction begins on Scripps Prebys Cardiovascular Institute
$456 million Institute will be comprehensive heart center for 21st Century.
| Feb 1, 2012
Two new research buildings dedicated at the University of South Carolina
The two buildings add 208,000 square feet of collaborative research space to the campus.
| Jan 31, 2012
Suffolk Construction to manage Lawrence & Memorial Hospital Cancer Center project in Waterford, Conn.
Leading construction management firm overseeing one of first healthcare projects in the country to utilize innovative IPD process.
| Jan 4, 2012
HDR to design North America’s first fully digital hospital
Humber River is the first hospital in North America to fully integrate and automate all of its processes; everything is done digitally.
| Jan 3, 2012
New Chicago hospital prepared for pandemic, CBR terror threat
At a cost of $654 million, the 14-story, 830,000-sf medical center, designed by a Perkins+Will team led by design principal Ralph Johnson, FAIA, LEED AP, is distinguished in its ability to handle disasters.
| Dec 14, 2011
Belfer Research Building tops out in New York
Hundreds of construction trades people celebrate reaching the top of concrete structure for facility that will accelerate treatments and cures at world-renowned institution.
| Dec 12, 2011
Skanska to expand and renovate hospital in Georgia for $103 Million
The expansion includes a four-story, 17,500 square meters clinical services building and a five-story, 15,700 square meters, medical office building. Skanska will also renovate the main hospital.
| Dec 2, 2011
What are you waiting for? BD+C's 2012 40 Under 40 nominations are due Friday, Jan. 20
Nominate a colleague, peer, or even yourself. Applications available here.
