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Project

Metra Headquarters Restoration

We provided envelope renewal services for a three-year restoration project that began with a critical façade examination for compliance with the City of Chicago Façade Ordinance. 

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Project Details

Owner
Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation/Metra
Location
Chicago, Illinois
Completion Date
Number of Stories
15
metra
Metra Headquarters Building in Chicago. Thornton Tomasetti
metra
Metra Headquarters Building in Chicago. Thornton Tomasetti
metra
Metra Headquarters Building in Chicago. Thornton Tomasetti

Overview

Operating 11 different rail lines and 242 stations throughout Chicago, the commuter railroad Metra is the largest rail system in the United States behind New York City. The 15-story Metra headquarters, built in 1923, is located two blocks back from the Chicago River and features two primary terra-cotta façades in addition to other facades composed of glazed brick with terra-cotta accents.

We provided envelope renewal services to Metra for a three-year restoration project that began with a critical façade examination for compliance with the City of Chicago Façade Ordinance. 

Highlights

  • To minimize inspection costs and inconvenience to building occupants, the examination also included documenting all areas of deterioration on the facades, with an emphasis on damaged terra cotta.
  • he restoration scope included replacing or repairing all damaged terra cotta, designing new relieving angles, replacing deteriorated secondary steel, tuckpointing, and cleaning.

Capabilities