Bohemian National Cemetery

Ed Skaggs took assessment samples of all of the roofing found. Immediate repairs were made. This single missing tile had caused major damage to the plaster inside. The view of the Chicago skyline from the top of the dome was...

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Disney Birthplace

Walt Disney was born in a modest frame home at 2156 North Tripp Ave. in Chicago, Illinois on December 5th of 1901. It’s restoration is being funded by The Walt Disney Birthplace not for profit organization. Plans are being made to restore the small frame house to its original configuration with a period of significance of 1901. Chicago Project Management and historic preservation architect Charlie Pipal are working with the new owners on the evaluation of several plans for the renovation. Exterior cleanup of the siding and restoration of the original window locations is now underway. Students from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Historic Preservation Masters Program are assisting by performing microscopic analysis of the paint colors that have been applied over the years.  Here, professor Anne Sullivan demonstrates how to obtain a paint sample from a piece of the original wood siding. Ferd Johnson Painting starts the task of scraping the old coats of failed paint and Cryer Carpentry repairs siding....

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LaGrange Theater

Chicago Project Management has been retained by the Village of La Grange, Illinois to oversee their interests in the restoration of the La Grange Theatre. Originally opened on February 19th, 1925, the La Grange Theatre was designed by Rapp & Rapp for live productions and sat almost 1400. The theatre was subdivided into four smaller theatres in the 1980s and all of its original ornate beauty hidden by drywall and suspended ceilings. Under its current owners, John Rot and David Rizner, appropriate portions of the original architecture are being restored and exposed. $1,000,000 of the renovation costs were provided from TIF funds by the Village of La Grange, IL.  Of specific interest to the Village are the restoration of historic elements and the preservation of the front facade. The three original murals by Carl Meyer, located in front of the main stage are now exposed to the public for the first time in over forty years. Left Mural Center Mural Right Mural With the assistance of historical architect Charlie Pipal of Riverside, IL, and the Terra Cotta archives of the University of Minnesota, it has been determined that the exterior terra cotta of the La Grange Theatre was manufactured by Midland Terra Cotta of Chicago. Working with the project architect, Architecture by Design, Chicago Project Management is responsible for assuring that the permanent facade of the theatre will match...

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First Congregational Church of LaGrange

The First Congregational Church of LaGrange hired Chicago Project Management to manage six very important projects for their 125th Anniversary. Roof Replacement A roofing assessment has been conducted by Concept 3 Architects. Their conclusion is that all of the existing roofs require near term replacement.   Masonry Repairs The properties committee has approved a pilot project to remove and repair two limestone window mullions and complete an analysis of all mortar. Sanctuary Attic Insulation Prior to insulating the attic many issues need to be addressed. Insulation hoses are pulled through the entire sanctuary and attic. Sanctuary Painting The sanctuary was fully scaffolded by International Scaffolding. Evan Stevens and Michael FitzSimmons of FitzSimmons Decorative Arts discover the five original paint colors and select appropriate restoration colors. The greatest surprise of all was the discovery of an original wall stencil! The pattern was traced, digitized and laser cut onto a pattern. Next, the walls were repaired. Bob and Bernardo of McCahill Painting tackle the dirty job of patching and sanding the damaged plaster walls. Five new colors were applied in a sand texture finish. Then Robert Baker of Sienna Interior Finishes carefully applies the historically correct stencil. North Wall Repair While the sanctuary was scaffolded for painting, it was realized that the north wall was suffering from serious deterioration of the...

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First Congregational Church of Western Springs Renovation

1st Congregational Church of Western Springs undergoes $2.5 million renovation. With Chicago Project Management providing Project Management services for the three year effort, the Church has completed the following major tasks: Asbestos Removed In a two stage effort, all hazardous (friable) asbestos was removed.  Major concentrations were in boiler pipe insulation and acoustic ceilings. Full Fire Sprinklers Installed In order to avoid revisions to the church’s historical character, the decision to fully sprinkle all buildings was reached with the WS Fire Dept. Within the Elmslie Sanctuary, all piping was well hidden in the wooded beam structures and is not noticed. Fire Doors and Exits Upgraded Numerous fire doors were installed to meet current requirements and failed historical doors were carefully replaced with oak copies. Windows Restored A Major Effort Was Required to Restore the 306 Steel Windows and their failing Concrete Window Frames. Air Conditioning In conjunction with the Window Restoration effort, all window air conditioning units were removed and the original steel window sashes reinstalled.  Numerous areas and offices were air conditioned with modern units allowing for individual control in each area. Masonry Repaired and Cleaned Significant tuckpointing was required to replace Portland cement that had been used in the past. The chimney was found to have failed. It was rebuilt and lined. The transept windows were failing and were replaced. All masonry features were cleaned. Electric Service Upgraded...

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Historic Immanuel Hall Restoration

Through the hard work of the Hinsdale Historical Society Historic Immanuel Hall has been saved from demolition and restored for use by the residents of Hinsdale. Following architect Charles Pipal’s plans a kitchen, elevators and archive research rooms were added. Preparations The Electric Service is relocated by His & Her Electric Prior to the start of any work we are protecting the priceless stained glass windows. Mike Conboy of Conkra Remodeling installs plywood inside and outside of all the windows. Lower Level Demolition An initial Asbestos Abatement is completed by Aces Environmental. The Lower Level is prepared for the demolition of some interior walls. And Kinsale Contracting Group performs the demolition The unstable Boiler Chimney is removed, but little damage will need to be repaired. The entire upstairs rear room comes out the side door!  An unexpected beam is found to have been added to support the Pipe Organ. The Organ Blower Fan is exposed for removal and rewiring, and the Lower Level is ready for renovation! Rough Construction Construction framing work has begun! Hard Rock Masonry uses a huge saw to open the west wall, exactly as designed. Voightman Services prepares the Lower Level Foundation. Rubber Wall applies a moisture-proof barrier. Cryer Carpentry frames and sheets the addition and frames the inside. Historic Restoration Activities Historic renovation of the hall requires extra care. Bellwood Electric rewinds and aligns...

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