PRESS RELEASE
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Back On The Cutting Edge - 106 Years Later
Chicago's Reliance Building Wins National Preservation Award
Washington, D.C., Oct. 1, 2001 - Fifteen
stories may not seem like much, not in downtown Chicago, not so near
the 110-story Sears Tower, but back in its day the 1895 Reliance
Building soared above the skyline and into the future with its steel
construction and enormous windows. For decades it was on the cutting
edge. But by the 1960s, it started a 30-year slide that made it a
public hazard by the 1990s.
Recognizing the value of redeveloping this historic
landmark, the city took the building by eminent domain and completely
restored the exterior. Not long after, developers were found to
transform the building into the magnificent Hotel Burnham that now
graces State Street.
Today, the National Trust for Historic Preservation
announced that the project has earned a 2001 National Preservation
Honor Award, which will be celebrated at the National Preservation
Conference in Providence, R.I., from Oct. 16-21.
"The Reliance Building is a perfect example of how a
public-private partnership can work," said Richard Moe, president of
the National Trust. "By taking the lead on its restoration, the City
of Chicago helped bring this beautiful building back to life, proving
that preservation is good business."
One of the world's first skyscrapers, the Reliance
Building was designed for doctors and dentists who liked the extra
lighting they got from the building's big bay windows. Its steel and
terra cotta construction were years ahead of its time. It had had
virtually no maintenance since the 1960s, and by the 1990s the
building's façade was in danger of crumbling.
Thousands of pieces of terra cotta were replicated
exactly or repaired and reinstalled. The cornice and second-floor bay
windows, which had been removed in the 1940s, were reproduced. The
original granite and bronze storefronts and original elevator lobby,
with its intricate metalwork, elaborate multi-colored marbles, and
marble mosaic floor were meticulously reconstructed using historical
photographs. No two floors had the same layout, so installing plumbing
and ductwork was a challenging process. After five years, the building
reopened as the 122-room Hotel Burnham, named after the building's
original architect.
"It is extremely gratifying to see the Reliance
Building/Hotel Burnham receive this award from the National Trust,"
said Gunny Harboe, vice president for McClier's Preservation Group,
which served as restoration architect for all phases of the project.
"Countless people put endless hours into restoring this marvelous
building, that has proven to be a catalyst for all kinds of
redevelopment along State Street."
"We are extremely proud that the Hotel Burnham is the
recipient of this award," said Tom LaTour, chairman and CEO of Kimpton
Hotel and Restaurant Group, LLC. "The Reliance Building is an
incredible structure that captures the energy and charisma of Chicago.
Creating the Hotel Burnham and the Atwood Café through adaptive reuse
allows us to honor the past and revitalize the future. Both Kimpton
Group and our guests couldn't be more pleased with the results."
Each year, at its annual Preservation Conference, the
National Trust bestows Preservation Awards on a select few
organizations and individuals whose contributions demonstrate
excellence in the preservation, rehabilitation, restoration and
interpretation of our architectural and cultural heritage.
About McCaffery Interests, Inc.
Chicago-based McCaffery Interests, Inc., was founded in 1991 and is a
nationally recognized developer of quality urban retail and
entertainment centers. In addition to the Block E development, other
current projects include Clarendon Centre The Market Common,
Clarendon, a 10-acre multi-use complex in Arlington, Va.
- END -
Media Contact:
Pamela Austin
McCaffery Interests, Inc
Ph: (312) 944-3777 x-31
email me
|
