Historic

After completing the cathedral’s original restoration in 2009, Lewis Contractors was called upon to repair damages the Baltimore Basilica of the Assumption sustained during an earthquake. In August 2011, a 5.8-magnitude earthquake shook the Mid-Atlantic, causing more than 50 cracks and some structural damage to this historic cathedral in downtown Baltimore. Most of the damage occurred at the highest point of the Basilica.

The repair work included plaster demolition, masonry repairs, plaster repairs and painting of both on the interior and some components of the church’s exterior. The erection of the scaffolding to reach the high ceilings of the cathedral took 7 weeks to complete. Extensive decorative draping was utilized to conceal construction as all work was completed around weekend services and weddings.

This restoration of the Basilica of the Assumption required four years of preconstruction planning, including many prototypical installations. Phase I included an underground concrete vault housing public toilets, storage rooms, new mechanical spaces, and the excavation of the undercroft and underpinning of most of the building. This was performed while the building was still open for daily mass. Doing our best to dampen noise and vibration, Lewis excavated over 250 CY of earth for the addition of the adjacent underground addition. This necessitated underpinning both the cathedral and sextant’s lodge, next door, and provided headroom needed for mechanical rooms, a 40 seat chapel and general public access. Interior excavation had to be done with hand shovels and wheelbarrows due to access and the delicate nature of the building.

Phase II was the reframing of all roofing and reintroduction of 24 skylights into the dome; and the restoration of the building’s exterior. Phase III included the interior restoration and upgrading of all systems. The project duration was 30 months. The first nine months of construction had to be worked around a daily church occupancy. The project was surrounded by streets and alleys on four sides—three of which are major arteries that could not be blocked—staging space was at a premium, and parking was non-existent.

Lewis Contractors completed restoration work at the Charles Carroll House in Annapolis, Maryland. Currently the seat of the Catholic Carrolls of Annapolis, the Charles Carroll House was once the primary urban residence of its most famous owner, Charles Carroll of Carrollton. Today, the property, on the grounds of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, is among the largest and most impressive historic sites in Annapolis. It is owned by the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer and a Roman Catholic congregation of priests and brothers.

Lewis’ work on this historic property involved a portico addition which involved the detailed replication of the home’s original north portico—a feature that was constructed by Charles Carroll himself in the 1700s and later removed in the 1850s. As part of the project team, Lewis’ goal on this project was to recreate the portico in an exact replica of the original, thereby restoring the north façade to its intended design.

The new entrance includes a new brick walkway and stairs leading to the porch constructed of limestone columns supporting a gabled roof. To make the new portico historically accurate—and in accordance with MHTs design requirements—work involved extensive brick and mortar color matching as well as expert math and finish carpentry skills to complete the installation of the porch mouldings.

Hilton Mansion was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and is also listed on Baltimore and Maryland’s historic registries. Situated on a 1678 land grant in Baltimore County, the original stone farmhouse was completed in 1825 as the first structure on the site. Purchasing the property in 1827, Dr. Lennox Birckhead, Fort McHenry patriot in the 1814 Battle of Baltimore, named the property Hilton because of its high elevation. His original mansion house is believed to have been completed between 1828 and 1835. Privately held until 1905, Hilton Mansion had fallen into disrepair until its sale in 1917 and completion of its 1919 technologically advanced renovation. This renovation transformed Dr. Birckhead’s mansion into the more than 14,000 SF, four-story Georgian Revival house one sees today.

Hilton Center has been completely restored and converted to offices and seminar rooms which will be used for lectures, meetings and social events. The restored Hilton Mansion—now called the Hilton Center—is the new home for CCBC’s Honors Program and Center for Global Education. Lewis Contractors’ work at Hilton Mansion included removal of the “modern” finishes installed during the 1970’s renovation, preservation of the historic crown moldings and baseboards, restoration of the windows, restoration of the mahogany paneling, installation of a new elevator, ADA compliance work and restoration of the quarry tile and historic marble checkerboard flooring. This work and the new energy efficient heating/ventilation/air conditioning systems, new electrical service and fixtures, restoration of the home’s exterior and installation of the new brick paver entryway have restored the home to its position as the crown jewel of the college campus. As a part of Lewis’ renovation, the home now includes a warming kitchen and ancillary necessities for catered events.

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.

This project is a historical restoration of the landmark First & Franklin Street Presbyterian Church in Baltimore. Work included extensive roof repairs requiring the modification of the existing drainage system. The project involved a large historical interior paint and plaster restoration as well as the exterior re-pointing of existing masonry. Lewis Contractors added air-conditioning and duct work to the attic above and behind the vaulted sanctuary space, expanded the sanctuary platform, installed modern lighting and completed minor restorations to existing pews. First and Franklin Street Presbyterian Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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.

Conversion of a 150 year old dairy barn into a glass and aluminum art gallery and weekend guest residence. This project was published in Architectural Record, Chesapeake Home and House Beautiful.

Lewis Contractors is currently providing preconstruction and general contracting services for the historic restoration of the James Brice House in Annapolis, Maryland.

The James Brice House—one of the most important surviving structures from colonial America—is one of the largest and most charming of Annapolis’s historic homes. Lewis Contractors is working with Historic Annapolis to restore the home to its completed 1774 appearance.

Adhering to the highest standards applied to traditional building restorations, the completed project intends to achieve a museum-quality restoration of the exterior and interior of the house. Work will focus on the restoration of finishes (plaster, paint, masonry, wood elements, etc.) and replacement of historic details. The project will also include the replacement and upgrades of the building’s mechanical and electrical systems and site restorations to the walkways and gardens.

Once complete, the first and second floors of the center block will be open to the public for tours, preservation research, educational programming, and exhibitions showcasing the building’s extraordinary architecture and history. The east and west wings will continue to be used as meeting space and headquarter offices for Historic Annapolis.

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.

With its construction in 1913, Johns Hopkins University’s Maryland Hall was the second academic building constructed on the Homewood campus—the first academic building of its kind, focusing solely on Mechanical and Electrical Engineering studies— and serves as one of the first Schools of Engineering in Maryland. A historic landmark for the University, Maryland Hall towers above all of the other buildings on campus and is identified by its prominent and architecturally ornate cupola at the peak. Because of its soaring rooftop position—exposed to weather of all types over the years—the cupola was in need of restoration To complete a full restoration of the Maryland Hall cupola, Lewis Contractors was elected as the Construction Manager to oversee the project.

The restoration began with the erection of an extensive scaffolding system that ascended the facade of the building onto the rooftop, systematically enclosing the cupola’s aging exterior. Select demolition followed scaffold erection to prepare for the elaborate roof repairs. The Lewis team repaired and replaced copper roofing with flashing drip edges and a high-temperature membrane underlayment in order for the structure to better withstand the elements. To further reinforce the existing structure, new hot dipped galvanized wide flange beams were installed along with a new structural composite roof deck that was reinforced with welded wire fabric, to control temperature and shrinkage cracking often seen in composite metal deck applications. The work also included the restoration of the intricate wood cornice assembly through the use of dutchmen, epoxy treatments, and other methods. A new access ladder, wood ceilings, and new decorative fiberglass urns and bases with a cold galvanized coating were also installed on the rooftop to complete the project.

When working on the cupola, Lewis was asked to address Maryland Hall’s Room 43A, a laboratory in need of minor renovations. The work included HVAC and electrical upgrades, a new walk in hood installation, cabinetry repairs, floor patching and fresh paint.

This is the seventh restoration Lewis has completed at John Hopkins University—a relationship that has spanned five decades.

This CM contract involved the restoration of the 1887 sanctuary and plaster dome. All finishes were restored, and new electrical systems and lighting were introduced. The original mural depicted the night sky star pattern of November 6, 1887 at 3:00am for the dedication of the Methodist Church.

Painted over in the 1930’s, a canvas covering was attached to the plaster dome and a star mural pattern was painted on the canvas. With the canvas removed, locations of stars were transferred to the floor of the scaffold platform, compared to astrological charts, and the first rendering of the mural was prepared by Thomas Moore Studios. The extensive plaster cracking was repaired and decorative painting of the dome was restored.

The work completed by Lewis Contractors at this historic site involved the painstaking restoration of the deteriorated siding and overall building envelope. Completing the work one section at a time, workers documented the exact location of every board—restored, repaired and refinished each piece—then reinstalled in the exact location from which it was taken. While exterior boards were being restored off-site, plywood sheathing and building wrap was installed around the building to protect it from further deterioration from the elements. Self-performed by Lewis craftsmen, all work followed strict historic guidelines.

While maintaining detailed and accurate records of the siding locations, the Team ensured that each piece of siding—no matter how deteriorated—was treated as though it was restorable. To mimic the appearance of the historic weathered siding, the new boards were sandblasted to remove the softer “summer” grain and are now indiscriminate from the historic wood.

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.

The $5M Superintendent House Restoration was the first phase of this two phase project for the Parks and People Foundation that totaled over $8M combined. Work took place at Auchentoroly Terrace, near the Maryland Zoo, and involved the restoration of the 4,400 SF Druid Hill Park Superintendent’s House (phase 1) and the construction of the foundation’s new headquarters building (phase 2). The largest challenge on the project was overcoming the deterioration of the building and the instability of the structure. There had been two arson fires in the house and a tree had fallen on the back of the house—these misfortunes left very little roof structure to protect the house and, as a result, the front and back walls of the house were falling in, making it unsafe to enter the structure to start demolition. The Lewis team worked to remove the crumbling walls down to the first floor windows and then carefully rebuilt them—all the while keeping the stone in the same configuration as the original construction. The remaining exterior walls were supported in place with temporary shoring until the roof structure was eventually installed. The team also pursued LEED Platinum certification on this historic building; however, many items in the building, such as lack of perimeter insulation, slate roofing, and the species of wood necessary for the trim were detrimental in this LEED pursuit. Special attention had to be paid to other areas such as the mechanical and plumbing systems so that Lewis could maximize this building’s contribution to the overall project certification. The entire Parks & People Foundation campus project successfully earned the USBC’s highest green building certification of LEED Platinum.

Lewis Contractors provided preconstruction and construction services for the restoration of the historic Gatehouse at Sheppard Pratt Hospital. Work included exterior masonry and stonework, window restoration, and extensive sitework to restore the gatehouse for use as a guest house with three guest suites and common areas. New electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems were also provided. All work was completed in the midst of an occupied medical campus, necessitating careful controls for site safety, security, and construction nuisances.

The Gatehouse dates back to the late 19th century and is included on the National Register of Historic Places.

This Design/Build project took place on a religious campus/historic site with an active touring schedule. Work required advance coordination with the Owner to protect visitors and employees from construction nuisances such as dust, noise, vibration and other construction hazards while touring areas undergoing restoration. In addition, at over 200 years old, the aging chapel required extensive abatement of hazardous materials. Lewis worked successfully to overcome several unforeseen conditions without detriment to the budget or schedule. Paint and plaster restoration work was completed to match the existing material and colors, and invasive exploratory work was accomplished without delay to the project schedule. Work also included extensive carpentry, marble and tile work throughout.

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.”

The renovation and restoration of Newell and Richmond Halls—two iconic dormitory buildings on the Towson University campus—was completed in the spring of 2013. The two structures, originally built in 1914 and 1923 respectively, total 89,492 square feet. This
project involved a comprehensive renovation of both buildings.

Exterior work included the replacement of original copper scuppers, conductor heads, downspouts, wall gutters and wall flashing throughout, the re-pointing and repair of all concrete and masonry, and installation of specialty sealants, and the repair and replacement of broken terra cotta tiles and precast stones to match the existing materials. Interior work included asbestos abatement, the replace of all windows, the installation of an elevator in Newell Hall, and the evaluation of both structures for ADA accessibility and code compliance. MEP work included the replacement of the HVAC and water heating systems, the replacement of electrical panels and partial power distribution systems, the installation of 35 security cameras as well as the installation of wireless internet equipment and systems in each residential room.

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.