The Old Cook County Hospital is a remarkable piece of history transformed into a new mixed-use development that accommodates 2 Hyatt hotels, a food hall, museum, and office spaces.
The building — on the National Register of Historic Places — was uninhabitable before the revitalization plan, which restored the terra cotta, granite, and brick facade to preserve elements from the building’s past life. The interior has also been fully renovated, from the tile and terrazzo flooring to the plaster walls.
IMI hosted a custom restoration training for the project team at the request of the general contractor’s quality director, which included superintendents and subcontractors. The full-day program covered condition assessments, masonry materials, and wall system construction and performance. During the training, the group also discussed suitable masonry material repairs, including appropriate unit replacement, cementitious patching options, mortar analysis and composition, as well as cleaning approaches and methodologies.
Many of the BAC craftworkers on the project, in addition to having extensive experience restoring Chicago’s landmarks, also hold IMI’s Historic Masonry Preservation Certificate (HMPC).
Photo courtesy Eric Nordstom/Building 51 Museum
