30 North Michigan
A prominent structure along the historic Michigan Avenue “street wall”, the white terra cotta clad 30 North Michigan Avenue Building has required extensive façade renovation in recent years. Originally constructed to a height of 17 floors in the first decade of the 20th century, the steel frame structure was put to the test as an additional five floors were added a few years later. Recent structural engineering studies determined that the compression resulting from the additional weight led to a stressing of the terra cotta facing materials that, in turn, led to cracking, sheering and general failure of many of the facing units. Moisture that penetrated these defects and failed mortar joints, together with freeze-thaw, compounded the deterioration and need for repair in order to protect pedestrians from the eventuality of falling terra cotta.
Working in conjunction with structural engineers engaged by ownership, Central Building & Preservation implemented a multi-year program designed to relieve the built up stresses and to replace the damaged and impaired terra cotta. The work has been performed in full compliance with historic restoration standards required in repairing the building’s façade.
