What does it take to reach 100? As part of our 100^th anniversary celebration, we’re posting a piece of Berglund’s history on our blog each day for 100 days. Check in each day to learn new tidbits about our company, win prizes based on your Berglund knowledge, and, most of all, to help us celebrate.

Spotlight on Berglund’s Work: Restoration

University of Chicago International House

The older a building gets, the more likely it is that its town’s ordinances will eventually leave it in the dust. That’s what happened to International House, the University of Chicago’s home-away-from-home for students and faculty from around the world. The residence hall was built in 1932, and by 2003, the entire limestone exterior needed a makeover to meet Chicago’s new façade regulations.

The university turned to Berglund to bring International House up to code while maintaining its historical integrity. Since the building would be occupied throughout the restoration process, Berglund met with the hall’s residents ahead of time to discuss proper safety precautions and posted regular updates in the hall throughout construction. During restoration, the company removed 4,500 limestones from the façade – some of which weighed close to 1,000 pounds – and rehabbed each one, including grinding and tuckpointing. Berglund also dismantled and restored the building’s ornately decorated central tower, as well as three buttresses.

The result? A fully restored exterior that kept the city happy.

What does it take to reach 100? As part of our 100th anniversary celebration, we’re posting a piece of Berglund’s history on our blog each day for 100 days. Check in each day to learn new tidbits about our company, win prizes based on your Berglund knowledge, and, most of all, to help us celebrate.

Spotlight on Berglund’s Work: Restoration

Wacker Drive/Chicago Riverwalk rehabilitation

There’s nothing like dining al fresco at one of the restaurants along the Chicago Riverwalk on a warm evening with the water just a few feet away. The riverwalk has blossomed in recent years — and Berglund completed the restoration project that jump-started its development.

Chicago officials selected Berglund to perform a massive overhaul of the stone pedestrian walkway for a portion of the Chicago River that runs alongside Wacker Drive. The rehabilitation is the largest stone restoration and installation project ever undertaken in Chicago, and the city set high standards for the project. The ultimate goal was to create a restored walkway that would draw people to the area and also remain true to historic Chicago architect Daniel Burnham’s original vision for Wacker Drive.

Berglund spent two years on the rehabilitation, starting work in 2001 and completing the project in 2003. The company removed 5,000 stones from the limestone and granite walkway and created a database to identify each piece during the rehabilitation process. Berglund salvaged as much of the original stone as possible, returning the restored pieces to their original locations. Berglund rebuilt the remaining portions with new stones that reflected the walkway’s history, yet left it equipped to handle the popular riverwalk’s foot traffic for years to come.