Cultural & Community

The comprehensive Phase I renovations of the Baltimore Museum of Art were completed and involved the renovation of the West Wing – home to the museum’s contemporary galleries. Renovations in this phase were performed under a CM contract with work including a
roof replacement, lighting systems replacement and related controls, floor refinishing, painting, structural upgrades, and finishes.

All work was completed without disruption to ongoing programming—the Museum remained open to the public throughout construction. The Lewis team worked under high-security escort for the duration on the project. The team successfully coordinated with the multiple stakeholders that make up the Baltimore Museum of Art—from facilites to curating to museum programming—to create a finished, funtional yet inspiration space that the entire team could be proud of.

Nestled deeply within Leakin Park on the grounds of the Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School, Orianda Mansion is a little-known, but grand in size mid-19the century treasure. Rich in character and charm, but desperately in need of interior renovations. Built in 1856, Orianda House is the former summer home of Thomas Winans, an engineer with the B&O Railroad and the Chief Engineer of the Russian Railway between Moscow and Saint Petersburg. With its wide porches, expansive ceilings, and signature stonework, the mansion sits at the center of an extensive estate that once included stables, a carriage house, outbuildings, and even a private chapel. The home and chapel narrowly escaped destruction by a proposed extension of Interstate 70 in the 1970s but was fortuitously repurposed to serve as the living facilities for Outward Bound educators and staff. Partnering with Ziger/Snead Architects, Lewis Contractors was excited to embark on yet another unique, but challenging historic preservation campaign to rejuvenate the Outward Bound campus.

The three-story mansion recognized for its trademark stonework, welcoming porches, and elegant high ceilings underwent interior renovations in an effort to operate with greater efficiency—electrical systems being the first major issue to be addressed. Renovations began with the removal of the existing, poorly functioning electrical service and installation of an entirely new electrical system to better support the building. Electrical upgrades included a new fire alarm system to bring the building up to code and new lighting enhancements throughout the facility. The existing kitchen was completely renovated to include new lighting, flooring, appliances, and a new above stove fire suppression system. To bring the building within ADA compliance, a new ADA bathroom was added and a removable aluminum ramp installed on the exterior of the building.

Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School provides outdoor experiential learning opportunities to over 6,000 students every year. They offer one-day programs on the challenge course located throughout the park, as well as multi-day wilderness expeditions for middle and high schools. Outward Bound is a non-profit organization that has eleven schools across the United States, as well locations in over thirty countries with Outward Bound Baltimore designed to represent their number one facility in the country. Lewis Contractors was excited to once again partner with this community organization that continues to inspire strength of character, leadership and service to others and improve the lives of Baltimore residents year after year.
DRAFT

Lewis Contractors has been selected to serve as the Construction Manager for the new Arts Education Center located on Eastern Avenue in downtown Baltimore for The Creative Alliance—a local non-profit engaged in bringing the Baltimore community together to experience the arts through education initiatives, live performances, art exhibitions, and other events. The Creative Alliance’s main goal for the project is to create a facility from the ground up that provides an open artistic environment that supports innovation and encourages the creative process.

Phased construction at the location is planned to begin with the demolition of the 6,600 SF existing commercial building and replaced with a 10,247 SF three-story building that will house classrooms to serve The Creative Alliance education programs. The new structure will include a dance studio/multipurpose room, visual arts studio, arts education classrooms, visitor lounge, teaching kitchenette, reception desk, bathrooms complete with shower facilities, and a three stop 3,000 lb elevator. The exterior of the building will be a combination of brick and fiber cement board cladding over a two hour exterior wall assembly. The work is also planned to include cast-in-place concrete for the building’s foundation footings, structural steel framing, structural and non-structural wood framing, flush and stamped metal doors and fire doors, stamped solid and hollow core wood doors, glazed aluminum storefront window units and entrances, and interior finishes such as woodwork ceramic floors and wall tile, a sprung wood dance floor, luxury vinyl tile, and associated painting.

This project is currently in preconstruction with a construction schedule that is still to be determined.

Lewis Contractors provided full preconstruction services, inclusive of forensic work, for this comprehensive restoration and renovation project. This 120,000 SF project involved the complete restoration/renovation of downtown Baltimore’s Town Theatre, which had been abandoned for years. Work included both exterior and interior restoration elements and a comprehensive rehabilitation to accommodate new functionality for the building in the form of a 250 seat theater.

The renovated Everyman Theatre features multiple performance spaces with modernized theatre audio/visual systems. A vertical addition was included for mechanical, electrical and toilet room facilities with elevator access. The project followed strict guidelines for Baltimore City Green Building Standards Certification with Sustainable building practices utilized throughout design and construction. Extreme care was taken to preserve existing historical features of the property as all work was conducted in a historically recognized building. Work on Everyman Theatre was completed in December 2012, on schedule and in time to launch the theatre groups’ highly anticipated 2013 performances in their new location.

Lewis Contractors is currently completing renovations to Harford County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters in Bel Air, Maryland. Construction is being phased—the building currently houses the Harford County Sheriff’s Department and the Harford County IT Server Room.

The alteration of approximately 23,800 SF to the existing three story plus basement structure will include replacing the existing HVAC, plumbing, electrical, lighting and fire protection systems in the building over multiple phases. Restrooms will be reconfigured and renovated to meet accessibility requirements. Interior finishes will be upgraded throughout the building. The existing built-up asphalt roof will be replaced, new flashing will be added, as well as insulated metal panels to the existing penthouse, rooftop units and a platform. All exterior curtain walls and storefront windows will be replaced with thermally broken curtain walls and storefront systems with insulated glass.

Phase 1 work includes all exterior work, new rooftop units, roof replacement, reconfigurations and MEP work on the second floor and third floors, and the mechanical area in the basement. Power will be maintained to both server areas throughout the duration of construction. Phase 2 will include the remaining portions of the building. Including work associated with the County IT server areas.

Lewis was chosen as the Construction Manager to build the new Havre de Grace Library on the corner of North Union and Pennington avenues in Harford County. The project involved the demolition of the existing library building and the construction a new two-story, 19,000 SF facility in its place. The new public library features a 100 person meeting room, courtyard and balcony for outdoor reading, a literacy center for children, and a learning space for elementary school students.

Lewis was selected from a prequalified list of bidders by the Harford County Board of Estimates to complete the $7 million project. Built by Lewis Contractors and designed by Manns Woodward Studios Community Architecture + Master Planning, the new Havre de
Grace Library is more than double in size of the former space. The ribbon cutting for Harford County Public Library’s new Havre de Grace Branch was held June 15, 2016.

Constructed in 1870, the nearly 150-year-old, city-owned building underwent renovations in order to better serve as a multi-use community theatre and performing arts venue. Located on North Union Avenue in the heart of Havre de Grace, the building has been used by the public since 1871 as an opera house, school, city hall, library and most recently, a two-story theatre.

Work on the opera house involved comprehensive interior renovations and the restoration of the building’s exterior façade to historic period significance. Under strict guidance of the Maryland Historic Trust, the brick masonry exterior was restored, the windows were removed and new brick infills were salvaged for parts in order to restore the remaining double sash windows– which now function as intended, once again. Even some of the mahogany panels from the chamber room were salvaged and cleaned, and they now provide decorative column covers at the first floor gathering space.

The entire ceiling needed a comprehensive restoration requiring pieces of the ceiling and its three-part crown molding to be removed, modified, and reinstalled to meet the new configuration of the walls within the theater and its new control room. The first floor space includes a box office, dressing rooms and additional multipurpose space to support a number of activities for the arts and business community—the second floor boasts a modern theatre. The New Opera House now hosts children’s theater and music, touring companies, local performances, music, film, and even business conferences.

The finished lobbies, offices, restrooms, dressing rooms, hallways and gathering areas are now ADA compliant and energy efficient with their state-of-the-art HVAC zones and controls.

Built between 1778 and 1782, the barracks originally served as a prison for captured German soldiers during the Revolution. Throughout the 19th century, the site served as a state armory, Civil War hospital, and a county fairgrounds. When restoration is complete, the building will reopen to serve as a museum which exhibits Civil War memorabilia and weaponry.

Work on this project began in October 2016 and was managed by the State of Maryland Department of General Services (DGS) with oversight by the Maryland Historical Trust. Lewis was awarded the job on technical merit. After several months of preconstruction involving extensive coordination with historic regulatory agencies (Maryland Historic Trust), several more months of forensic efforts were completed in conjunction with Kann Partners Architects and Keast & Hood structural engineers.

The two-story stone structure, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, underwent numerous historically accurate restorations to its exterior including the installation of a unique side-lap oak shingle roof to mimic the original, construction of four new replica fireplaces and associated chimney structures, and emergency repairs to the stone exterior. Subsequent phases will involve restoration of the remaining exterior stone, comprehensive restorations to the building’s windows and doors, and interior restorations.

Completed in 1861, the official grand opening of this building was delayed until 1866, after the Civil War. Prior to our work, the Library was last rehabilitated in the 1970’s and had become a division of the Johns Hopkins University in 1986. Restoration tasks were varied but all took into account the seriousness of working in a landmark building filled with books, on six levels of open, cast iron stacks. Strong negative air pressure was established to exhaust all dust and fumes. Work was performed under the guidance of the Maryland Historic Trust, Hopkins staff, Peabody staff and the consulting architect. Work included restorations to skylights and ornamental laylights, marble flooring, ornamental woodwork restorations, a full restoration to the reading room, updates to the library work room, and restorations to the entry doors and miscellaneous millwork.

Restoration of the South Portico of the Homewood Museum included the removal, cleaning, repair and reinstallation of the existing brick veneer, brick pavers, marble stair treads and risers, marble cheek walls, and the checkerboard stone tiles on the portico landing. All marble from treads and risers was numbered and cataloged as sections were removed for ease and accuracy of reinstallation and was repaired onsite with historically accurate Dutchman pinning, patching and cleaning methods. The existing handrails were carefully removed, stripped, sanded and wire-wheeled, and repainted before being re-installed using the original mortise and tenon method. The paint treatments on the project were again held to the same standards of historical accuracy. Perhaps the greatest challenge on this project was the uncovering of a hidden brick arch under the portico steps. According to the original drawings, it was believed that the steps rested on loose rubble, but when the marble steps were removed an extravagant
archway was found below. Work was completed in the midst of an actively occupied University campus—the only access to the site was via brick paved walkways, making delivery coordination extremely important as acceptable routes had to be coordinated with Johns Hopkins Facilities Management, and materials had to be transported in a way that did not damage the walkways.

Lewis also compeleted renovations to Homewood Museum in 1965, 1975, 1977 and 1986.

Lewis Contractors is providing Construction Management services for the new 20,484 SF stand-alone Center for Performing Arts & Student Life completed for the Mount de Sales Academy in Catonsville, Maryland. This project consists of ground-up construction of a two-story building inclusive of theater, classroom, and flex space, designed to be constructed into the site’s existing hillside. Strategically sequenced to complete prior to the start of the 2019 school year—as the school planned to be fully occupied throughout construction—the site’s rear access drive has been re-routed to provide for easier commuter access on and off campus and to accommodate the expected increase in traffic flow when school is in session. The Lewis team worked diligently to complete this relocated gateway to the campus and have the new roadway ready for use when the school year began.

Site work in this initial Phase I also included the rework of existing sanitary piping and other underground utilities to prepare for the site for the installation of a new Storm Water Management (SWM) pond. During the second phase of the project, a “smart” SWM system is planned in the location of the former access roadway. Lewis will implement an innovative ponding system with considerable storage capacity, volume monitoring system, and adjustable digital controls for more efficient and effective management of storm water events.

Phase II of the project has now commenced and includes the construction of a new two-story theater and performing arts theater and student activities space that will be located next to the existing high school building. The interior of the building will feature a two-story lower lobby with a grand staircase leading to a dance studio and a multi-purpose area space with mezzanine seating and mobile, folding partitions allowing designed for flexible usage of the room including dance instruction and lecture hall. The theater—also accessible via the lower lobby—will include over 400 seats with a pronounced performance platform, a proscenium stage, tiered mezzanine seating, an acoustical ceiling with sound paneling, and advanced audiovisual technology. Backstage will include office spaces, two dressing rooms, costume and prop storage, scene shop and a loading dock for deliveries. The lower level interior will house the control room, concessions, and classroom space—including orchestra, choral, and practice rooms.

Lewis Contractors completed this historical restoration of the landmark Mt. Vernon Washington Monument located in downtown Baltimore. Work on this 18-story monument included both comprehensive interior and exterior repairs and renovations. Restoration efforts included stone restoration and conservation, replication and the restoration of the original cast iron fence. Renovations included new roof terrace above the first floor (what has now become the new exhibition space), modifications to doors, frames and hardware, new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems throughout and security system wiring.

The base of the monument—lit in part by four restored skylights—is now a funtional exhibition space where visitors can use touch screens to learn facts about the monument, the nation’s first president and Mount Vernon Place Conservancy.

Original construction of the Mt. Vernon Washington Monument was completed in 1815—the monument is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Lewis’ work was completed on schedule by July 4, 2015—the monument’s bicentennial anniversary celebration.

Lewis Contractors served as Construction Manager-at-Risk providing preconstruction and construction services for a multi-phase historic restoration/renovation of the Port Discovery Children’s Museum, a nonprofit children’s museum located in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

In Phase I, Lewis completed a complete roof replacement, upgraded the entry doors, and completed a thorough forensic investigation for a Building Envelope Restoration. Forensics concluded with an existing conditions report outlining a means and methods approach to masonry repointing and terra cotta restoration on the facade of the 106-year-old historic Fish Market building. This restoration work to the building’s exterior will be completed in Phase III. All work was been completed around the museum’s regularly scheduled operational hours with the facility remaining open to the public throughout construction.

In Phase II, Port Discovery underwent major reimagining—a renovation of the Sky Climber and Port Exhibit. The renovation included the replacement of aging capital equipment and upgrades/replacement of existing exhibits. This project addressed significant internal and external infrastructure issues, improved energy efficiency, improved safety, and improved the museum’s ability to effectively serve the patrons.

The project is currently nominated for a Buildy Award through Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums.

Preconstruction development and construction of a 12,000 SF two story visitors center—a steel bearing structure with a masonry envelope. The project was completed in less than a year, without restricting the museum’s regular operations and school tours. The centerpiece of the structure is a unique, two story glass curtain wall replicating the original, national anthem inspiring, Fort McHenry flag. The new Visitors Center was completed immediately adjacent to the historic flaghouse, which is on the National Register of Historic places. All adjacent work had to be staged carefully around the historic site.

Lewis also performed work on the 1793 Flag House—the house of Mary Pickersgill who made the flag that flew at Fort McHenry in the 1814 battle.

Monticello is the only house in America on the World Heritage List. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia this landmark home is considered to have the most complex roofscape of any house in early 19th-century America. Lewis Contractors facilitated the restoration of this roof in one of our most memorable projects to date. Says the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation of our work, “The Lewis personnel were knowledgeable, experienced, and articulate, and, as such, worked easily with the architects and contributed to the resolution of many complicated and unconventional details of restoration.”

Originally constructed in 1850 as the first home at Mount Vernon Place, 1 West Mt. Vernon Place remained continuously occupied until it was gifted to the Walters Art Museum in 1984. Lewis Contractors was hired to complete only the second major systems renovation—some of which helped to bring the mansion back to its former glory while working to protect the priceless art which will be housed within. By example, installation of the new water mist fire suppression system—one of the first of its kind completed in Maryland—and the Vespa early fire detection system are intentionally so unobtrusive that few will notice them. Because of the strict Maryland Historic Trust (MHT) oversight of this restoration, every sprinkler head or monitor had to be located on site with approved shop drawings providing only general locations for the materials. As 19th century structures were painted in lead based paint on all walls, ceilings and trim, every hole which was drilled into the building had to be completed using proper lead paint standards—i.e. under containment, by trained workmen in respirators and disposable clothing. Another major part of the renovation includes the rebuilt conservatory. Here all but the marble floor and roof structure had deteriorated to a point that it needed to be completely rebuilt, using as much salvaged material as possible and matching the historic construction with new materials. Thermal efficiencies have been magnified exponentially by this new installation. Other parts of the renovation include removal and repair, or replication of the historic cast iron antefix ornaments at both roofs; in situ renovation of the cast iron window pediments; removal and replacement of the storm windows; demo and installation of new roofs at the main house, bay window and conservatory; removal, refurbishment and reinstallation of the historic cast iron security grates and spandrel grilles; repairs to the chimneys; and removal, replacement, or renovation of the floor finishes.

Lewis Contractors has been contracted by the York County History Center, formerly known as the York County Heritage Trust, for its new headquarters and museum. The project involves a renovation of the former Met-Ed building—once a steam heat generating plant—and the construction of a link addition that will bridge to the adjacent structure on the north east corner of West Philadelphia Street and North Pershing Avenue in downtown York, Pennsylvania. The newly created space will house a museum, library & archives which will consolidate two larger museums into one core exhibit and provide suitable space for borrowed exhibits, allowing for more frequent rotation of exhibits and artifacts.