Type: Restoration - Facade & Plaza
Project Name: Willoughby Tower Building
City: Chicago
State: IL
Client: Murdoch, Coll & Lillibridge, Inc.

Features: 36-story office tower with 24 story base, 12-story upper tower shaft, comprised of exterior limestone masonry units and cast iron spandrel panels below windows.

Description: DESMAN was retained by the Owner’s managing agent to inspect, identify, and document loose or unsecured exterior masonry façade elements on the Willoughby Tower Building, originally constructed in 1929, which could pose a safety hazard to the street level traffic below. The building was originally constructed in 1929 as part of an engineer/contractor team, loose pieces of limestone units and cast iron spandrels were removed and the openings sealed prior to undertaking later permanent repairs.
Once temporary measures were concluded, DESMAN prepared bid documents and specifications for a long-term repair program based on the detailed condition survey conducted by DESMAN earlier during the temporary repair phase. Repairs called for: stone patching and replacement; tuck-pointing; removal and replacement of existing sealants at coping stones; repair, painting and/or replacement of cast iron spandrel panels; and cleaning of the entire building façade. One hundred percent cleaning of the Michigan Avenue and Madison Street fronts of the building base was specified using a cold water wash in combination with a two-part chemical cleaning procedure applied with medium pressure sprays.