Union Station

siteadmin — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 01:43:33 +0000

Phoenix Restoration acted as the prime contractor for the historical restoration phase of the extensive, multi-year Union Station rehabilitation project. Originally built in 1858, Union Station is a designated heritage site that required specialized restoration techniques to preserve its architectural and cultural significance while keeping it fully operational for over a million daily commuters.

Key elements of our work included the complete restoration of the Great Hall interior and Maple Room, and a complete exterior masonry restoration of the East Wing. We undertook in-house restoration and fabrication of replicate millwork, including replicating and repairing original solid oak doors and windows, at our facility. As well as restored historic cathedral windows and original steel, ironwork, bronze fixtures, and historical hardware.

Throughout the process, we managed a team of subcontractors and tradespeople, including masons, carpenters, glaziers, and mechanical and electrical technicians, with multi-trade scaffolding to facilitate efficient workflow.

The project included but was not limited to the following:

Completely restored the Great Hall’s interior including masonry and plaster cleaning and repairs and preserving original historical light fixtures.
Completed exterior stone restoration on the East Wing, including crack repairs, injection grouting, helical tie installation, and extensive re-pointing.
Lifted and installed 1600 lb exterior stones, safely, in a busy downtown location.
Used specialized masonry cleaning techniques using Arte-Mundit (becoming the first contractor in Canada to use this technique).
Performed Zumbro stone cleaning, fabrication, installation, and repairs under the guidance of a conservator, following heritage conservation standards.
Removed, catalogued, and tagged heritage masonry units for repair at our warehouse.
Restored and fabricated millwork, including windows and doors, at our in-house plant.
Restored and fabricated historic cathedral windows and original steel elements to ensure authenticity and durability.
Repaired and conserved terra cotta elements and conducted plaster restoration on interior ceilings.
Used proprietary repair mortars and Dutchman repair methods on Queenstown limestone blocks, selectively rebuilding limestone assemblies as needed.
Restored ironwork, bronze fixtures, and historical hardware, including replicating heritage cast iron elements.
Refurbished original oak doors and access panels, carefully matching stains to preserve their authentic appearance.

Special Considerations

This project presented several challenges, including limited space for equipment storage and managing Union Station’s high daily foot traffic. Ensuring public safety and minimizing disruptions were paramount, given the station’s role as a major transit hub.

To address these challenges, Phoenix Restoration utilized off-site storage for tools, equipment, and materials, coordinating just-in-time deliveries to reduce on-site clutter. We scheduled night shifts for hazardous material removal, allowing day shifts to proceed uninterrupted, and added weekend shifts for timely completion.

Phoenix Restoration worked closely with building staff and to keep work areas securely blocked off from the public. Regular inspections were conducted to ensure all safety protocols were met, allowing Union Station to remain fully operational and accessible to commuters.

We also held weekly site meetings with heritage consultants and city officials to monitor progress, resolve issues, and ensure compliance with heritage conservation standards. Under the guidance of a conservator, we followed stringent conservation procedures for delicate tasks like Zumbro stone cleaning and window restoration.

Please note that this project summary offers just a brief look at the work and challenges undertaken; for a more detailed scope of the project, please reach out to us.

The post Union Station appeared first on Phoenix Restoration.

John Sopinka Courthouse

siteadmin — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 23:24:47 +0000

The John Sopinka Courthouse project was a historic restoration and repair project, on a high security government building in downtown Hamilton. Key restoration tasks included full masonry repointing, curtain wall renewals, Dutchman repairs, and reinforcing structural steel beams. New installations included a glazed aluminum curtain wall and cement board parapet cladding.

Given the building’s high-security environment, all Phoenix employees underwent security screenings, and street permits were obtained to address limited laydown areas in the busy downtown location. The building remained occupied by government staff throughout the restoration, and the work was performed with minimal disruption to occupants and to meet the standards for conserving historic sites, preserving the building’s architectural heritage.

Phoenix was responsible for the coordination of multiple trades on site throughout the duration of the project, including masons, glazers, carpenters and roofers.

The project included but was not limited to the following:

Conducted extensive masonry restoration, including complete repointing of all brick and stone surfaces with a historically accurate mortar mix that matched the original colour and texture.
Performed Dutchman repairs by removing damaged stone sections and seamlessly replacing them with new pieces that blended with the existing structure.
Applied epoxy repairs to stone pins and other critical elements for added stability, ensuring a durable bond that maintained the building’s appearance.
Re-dressed stone surfaces as needed and expertly colour-matched repair mortar to restore original aesthetics and fortify the masonry.
Installed a new glazed aluminum curtain wall system, modernizing the building’s facade with improved insulation and weatherproofing.
Fortified existing steel beams and fabricated new ones to replace compromised elements, preserving the building’s stability and architectural character.
Installed new cement board parapet cladding, cut and fitted to match the original design
Work adhered to the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada

Special Considerations

Working in an occupied, high-security government building presented several unique challenges. The building had to remain operational throughout the restoration, which meant ensuring public safety and minimizing disruptions. With limited laydown areas and parking constraints, material storage and handling also required careful planning.

To address these challenges, Phoenix blocked off all work areas from public access, using safety hoarding and clear signage to protect building occupants. We coordinated multiple trades, including masons, carpenters, and roofers, to work collaboratively within the constraints of the high-security environment.

Limited space for materials was overcome by utilizing off-site storage and scheduling just-in-time deliveries. Noisy and disruptive tasks were carefully scheduled during off-hours, including nights and weekends, to minimize inconvenience.

Additionally, all Phoenix employees needed security clearance, and access to the job site was restricted to those escorted by a security guard. Therefore a Commissionaires security guard escort was hired to give our crews access to the site.

Please note that this project summary offers just a brief look at the work and challenges undertaken; for a more detailed scope of the project, please reach out to us.

The post John Sopinka Courthouse appeared first on Phoenix Restoration.

Historical Glazing Archives - Phoenix Restoration

Union Station

The project included but was not limited to the following:

Special Considerations

John Sopinka Courthouse

The project included but was not limited to the following:

Special Considerations