Best repair/rehabilitation building

Masonry Construction, July-August, 2004

Hotel

Selkirk

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

The original Hotel Selkirk stood in downtown Edmonton for over 50 years before being destroyed by fire in the 1960s. Partial drawings, historic photographs, and examination of contemporary buildings of the era were used to reconstruct the hotel with its original look.

The architect, masonry contractor, and brick manufacturer worked together to computer model the building and the masonry elements to analyze potential problems with going from a brick wythe wall of the original to a masonry veneer for the reconstruction. Brick had to match 20th century materials, which were larger while mortar joints were smaller. Tergullis Red brick from the same general area as the original material for the building was used, while the particularly soft mortar was pigmented with red to match the original color.

Brick arches and detailing around windows were done by hand in traditional methods. Masons cast all the sills, keystones, base courses, and stone banding.

Project Participants

Masonry Contractor: Scorpio Masonry Edmonton Alberta

Architect: HIP Architects Edmonton Alberta

Masonry Supplier: IXL Bricks, Medicine Hat Alberta

honorable mention

South Bend, Ind.

Olive Street

Pumping Station

The pumping station built in 1924 needed an upgrade to meet today's standards. Masonry restoration of the exterior was one phase of the renovation program.

Steps required to return the deteriorated masonry to its original appearance included lowering window sills, chemical cleaning, 100% tuckpointing, limestone and brick replacement and patching, and removal of a mortar refacing procedure that was performed in the past.

Project Participants

Masonry Contractor: Ziolkowski Construction Inc., South Bend, Ind.

Architect/Engineer: Ken Herceg & Associates, South Bend, Ind.

Masonry Suppliers: Rose Fuel & Materials, South Bend, Ind.; Cathedral Stone Products. Hanover, Md.