Historic Crane Company Factory Building will get new roof deck, be refreshed for future tenants
CHICAGO – Chicago general contractor, Summit Design + Build, LLC, recently began work at the existing commercial building located at 156 N. Jefferson in Chicago’s West Loop. The over century-old building, which was originally built as a manufacturing facility, will be rehabbed and renovated for future office tenants.
156 N. Jefferson was built in 1865 as the fourth home to the Crane Company, the pipe and metal-parts manufacturer founded by industrialist Richard Teller Crane in 1855. At the time of construction, the building’s address was 10 N. Jefferson, situated between Randolph and Lake Streets on the Near West Side as it is today. 156 N. Jefferson was one of few buildings to survive the Chicago Fire as it was west of the burn area.
While the Crane Company, as it’s been known since the late 1880’s, expanded operations in Chicago and across the country, opening out posts in places like Seattle, Texas and Boston, the factory at 156 N. Jefferson remained the company’s central offices until as late as 1955. By 1981, Crane had fully vacated the building and moved headquarters to Connecticut, where it remains today.
The early Italianate-style, timber-frame building stands at 3-stories with a raised basement. Many of the original, character-defining features remain including brick lintels and metal hardware from wood shutters, making the building an unusual surviving example of the architectural style in industrial form. A variety of additions that were completed in the late 1800’s have since been demolished.
As part of its rehabilitation for office use, Summit will complete a full interior demolition of 156 N. Jefferson. The scope of work also includes:
- the relocation of the pedestrian entrance on Jefferson Street,
- infill of previous third floor window enlargements,
- installation of all new windows along the north alley,
- wood and steel structural reinforcement,
- installation of a new elevator,
- all new HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems,
- sandblasting to expose old brick and timber framing and
- the construction of an all new roof deck.
Following the core and shell work, Summit will also complete a full build-out including a basement gym and luxury office space on the first, second and third floors that will highlight the building’s historic architectural features. The work totals approximately 30,000 square feet and will be completed in early 2019.
156 N. Jefferson is being redeveloped by RDG Funds. Hirsch MPG is the architect of record for the core and shell renovation. Mike Shively Architecture is the architect of record for the tenant improvement and build-out.
