Randolph Tower

(Formerly: The Steuben Club Building)

Residential
Terra Cotta Façade Rehabilitation
188 West Randolph Street, Chicago, IL
Originally Built in 1929

Mast-climbers were primarily used to access the work at the base building while a combination of pipe scaffolding and swing-stage scaffolds were used to access the tower portion of the building.
Buttresses at the 38th floor were completely dismantled and rebuilt, including the addition of new gargoyles which now look out over the city.
Up close view of the gargoyles at the 38th floor.
The front entry was rebuilt to match the original arched design and ornament.
View looking up at the tower near floor 38. The terra cotta was temporarily meshed in to prevent pieces from dislodging and falling to the street below.
View looking up at the tower near floor 38 following our repairs.
The parapets at the base of the building were dismantled and rebuilt.
Swing-stage scaffolding was used on the rear elevations of the base building.
FRP panels were installed at the building window heads and tower parapet walls in order to reduce the number of terra cotta pieces necessary.

After two years of preconstrucion strategizing, Central embarked on the largest masonry façade rehabilitation project in Chicago’s history with over 40,000 terra cotta units in scope.

With an extensive focus on adaptive reuse, the 1929 historic Gothic Revival skyscraper was methodically restored to its original glory with the unparalleled partnership of Central’s office staff alongside WJE architects and the City of Chicago Historic Preservation Division. The project demanded knowledge of historic building systems and lean construction from the project managers to enhance efficiencies and safety for the owners. The operation encompassed a vast range of materials, specialized repairs and innovative access solutions implemented by Central’s experienced trademen to fulfill the building’s needs.