The General Services Administration (GSA) selected The Tradesmen Group LLC (TTG) as the Construction Manager as Constructor (CMc) to assist with the design and execution of the comprehensive restoration of the Milwaukee Federal Building and The U.S. Courthouse façade.
This project showcased TTG’s expertise in collaborative design processes and complex historic preservation techniques.
Design Phase
Collaboration with Mills Schnoering Architects (MSa) and Wiss Janney Elstner Associates (WJE)
Assistance in project development from 35% design to final construction documents
Participation in design review, trial sample treatments, cost reconciliations, and schedule development
Masonry Restoration
Tuckpointing of granite, brick, and limestone throughout the façade using historically matched mortar
Stone removal, salvage, and re-installation in various locations
Reconstruction of south building granite and brick corners (top three floors & penthouses)
Extensive stone Dutchman repairs and granite re-tooling
Crack repairs and fracture injection
Limestone and brick removal/salvage & reconstruction in courtyard areas
Structural Repairs
Facilitation of extensive steel lintel and structural steel repairs in the courtyard
Specialized Cleaning
Sponge-Jet micro-abrasive cleaning of north building granite to remove exfoliated crust build-up
Poultice cleaning to remove ferrous staining at various locations
Metalwork Restoration
Repairs, rehabilitation, micro-abrasion blasting, and painting of:
Ornamental iron window grates
Areaway iron grates
Roofing
Installation of a new PMMA roof system at the 11th-level tower roof
Fabrication and installation of new compound radius lead-coated copper gutters on the turrets
The Tradesmen Group demonstrated its exceptional capability in both collaborative design processes and execution of complex restoration projects. As the CMc and Prime Contractor, TTG showcased its comprehensive in-house preservation services and ability to manage multifaceted historic restoration work.
Key aspects of TTG’s role included:
Active participation in the design process, ensuring constructability and cost-effectiveness
Execution of diverse restoration techniques for different materials (granite, limestone, brick, iron)
Implementation of specialized cleaning methods to address historical damage
Integration of structural repairs with façade restoration
Management of a complex project scope encompassing multiple building elements
Provided vertical access with scaffold and shoring custom-engineered to limit the impact and protect the original fabric and structure of the building
This project underscores TTG’s commitment to preserving America’s architectural heritage through collaborative design approaches and comprehensive restoration techniques. Our successful execution of both the design-assist and construction phases further solidifies TTG’s position as a leader in historic preservation, capable of addressing complex restoration needs while ensuring the longevity and authenticity of significant federal buildings.
