Project Details

The project at the Union Bank in St. Johnsbury, Vermont began back in 2006 when the bank hired us to evaluate the building and put together a proposal for the restoration that could be the basis they could use to get competitive bids from several contractors.  The building had a hard history including a huge fire in the early 1900s that gutted it and left the exterior masonry in poor condition in many areas where the flame coming out of the window opening in the upper floors damaged much of the brick and terra cotta.  Adding insult to injury the roof was allowed to fail several decades earlier and it went unrepaired for several seasons, adding many freeze/thaw cycles to the destruction of the masonry.  We identified the areas of restoration to be Brick Masonry, Stone Elements, Terra Cotta, Windows, Crown Molding,

In 2010 the bank put the proposal out to several contractors around New England, after they had our proposal and price, and discovered that our proposal was very competitive.  Given that we came with high recommendation from many people in the preservation field as well they awarded us with the project and work began in May of 2011 with a completion goal of September, 2011.

Our work began with a construction/planning meeting with the Bank staff and local officials to set our vision into a working order that was compliant with all parties and flexible to allow for maximum mobility should the need arise to rework the order of events.

Actual work began with the staging of the area/elevation that was in poorest condition. As it was still very cold in the North East Kingdom of Vermont, tenting and heat were installed which allowed us to do the bulk of the demolition under cover; greatly reducing the dust and debris which was contained within the tented area.  Thousands of brick were removed in the arched areas of the upper windows, old mortar repairs removed and the window sashes and crown molding at the parapet area were removed for restoration.  Damaged terra cotta elements were repaired with Cathedral Stone restoration mortars formulated specifically for terra cotta, which was no simple task as the terra cotta is very ornate.  Damaged areas were first square cut and prepared to receive the mortar, and then before the mortar fully cured it was carved to the shape to become an invisible restoration as if there had been no damage in the first place.

We also had two man-lifts and one telescopic forklift on the project so other areas around the building could be worked as weather allowed.   The Bank asked us to restore the large fire escape at the back of the building while we were there. We were able to perform this work and several other additional items, such as painting the aluminum storm windows, (which would have been a huge detractor to the overall appearance of the building if they had remained unpainted), yet did not exceed our estimated project cost.

After the staging came down and the masonry/terra cotta repairs and wood restoration completed the building was chemically cleaned with dramatic results. 

The final process was the color system for the terra cotta glazing.  Peggy List worked to produce the desired effect and this was completed in late September.

The Union Bank Building has become a show piece in the center of town and is now become the most beautiful building in the area and has given St. Johnsbury a real lift and inspired other building owners, including the Town, to improve and restore their properties.  Good restoration is contagious!