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Nestled in the historic Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago, at E. Schiller Street stands as a prime example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture, a style celebrated for its robust stonework and intricate detailing. Originally designed by architect H.M. Hanson in the 1890s, the property had endured over a century of weathering, unsympathetic repairs, and material deterioration. Through a meticulous restoration effort, the building has been revitalized, reclaiming its historic character and structural integrity.
The restoration of facade at E. Schiller Street began with extensive research and documentation. Having worked on similar historic projects in the area, our team was well-versed in the unique architectural elements of late 19th-century Chicago masonry. The building’s façade, constructed from rusticated red sandstone, had suffered significant damage over the years, including spalling, cracking, and moisture entrapment caused by inappropriate tuck-pointing and repair materials.
A central focus of the restoration was the building’s grand arch above the entrance. This feature, crowned by a carved relief of a woman’s face, had been severely degraded, rendering the original details unrecognizable. To restore this centerpiece, we turned to historic photographs, period drawings, and comparative research to replicate the lost design.
One of the project’s greatest challenges was sourcing materials to match the original red sandstone. Since an exact match was unavailable from contemporary quarries, we reproduced the stone in our laboratory using advanced material analysis techniques. The custom sandstone mix was carefully calibrated for color, texture, and aggregate composition, ensuring it blended seamlessly with the original façade.
Similarly, we crafted a lime-based mortar to replicate the historic joints. The mortar’s reddish-brown hue and fine texture not only complemented the sandstone but also adhered to preservation standards, allowing the structure to breathe and minimizing the risk of future damage.
The restoration process began with photo documentation of every stone, capturing existing patterns, profiles, and conditions. These images guided the fabrication of replacement pieces, including the intricate decorative elements of the arch. Skilled conservators hand-carved the new stones to emulate the natural rustication and detailing of the originals.
Damaged stones were removed by hand to avoid disturbing adjacent materials, and the fabricated pieces were carefully installed in their original locations. Repointing followed, with narrow, rounded bead joints applied to replicate the historic masonry style. Unsympathetic repairs, such as moisture-trapping tuck-pointing, were removed to restore the building’s ability to manage water naturally.
A major obstacle was the lack of detailed documentation for the original design. The degraded state of the façade offered little evidence of its former intricacy. Research at the Chicago Historical Society provided limited information, requiring our team to rely on period design conventions and similar architectural examples to reconstruct missing details. Custom large-scale drawings helped refine the final designs for fabrication.
Another challenge was stabilizing the structure while ensuring the restoration work respected its historic integrity. Temporary supports were employed to safeguard adjacent areas, allowing us to address vulnerable features like the front arch without compromising the overall stability of the façade.
The project at E. Schiller Street illustrates the balance between preserving historic authenticity and employing modern innovations to overcome material limitations. The custom-fabricated sandstone and mortar exemplify how traditional techniques can be enhanced with contemporary solutions to achieve historically accurate results.
Today, 42 E. Schiller Street stands as a testament to the power of thoughtful preservation. By restoring the building to its original 1890s design, we have not only preserved an architectural treasure but also reinforced its structural resilience for future generations. The project reflects the critical role of technical skill and innovation in preserving Chicago’s rich architectural history.
This restoration was completed in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and adhered to the guidelines outlined in Preservation Brief #2: Repointing Mortar Joints in Historic Masonry Buildings. All materials were supplied by US Heritage Group, with restoration work executed by Marion Restoration. Through this meticulous effort, a piece of Chicago’s architectural legacy has been brought back to life.
