Keeping History Alive with Historic Rehab and Repurposing

Historic structures can still offer meaningful roles in communities across the country. It doesn’t matter whether you have new plans for old properties or if they deserve to stand on historical value alone. If you’re looking to revitalize quality architecture, consider McClure for historic rehab and repurposing.

We know that such delicate renovation projects are more likely to progress with the help of expert engineers. The team at McClure can apply years of experience renovating historic buildings to ensure your own project’s requirements are met. We can help refurbish outdated utilities and structural elements while maintaining the original vibrant feel of the property.

What Makes Historic Rehab So Complex?

There are many factors that make completing historic renovations such intricate projects for contractors and developers. Some owners want to maintain as much of the original structure as possible, while others can tear down problematic spaces in hopes of simplifying the project as a whole.

It’s practically expected that most historic buildings are hiding some surprises that reveal themselves during the renovation process. Some things McClure considers when handling historic rehab projects include:

1. Outdated construction methods: many buildings were completed without the modern tools and techniques we use today. Sometimes these older methods can complicate modern renovations.
2. Aging materials: brick, stone and even wood are durable materials, even after decades or centuries of use. But as buildings age, key structural elements may start to fail.
3. New building and safety codes: going from an abandoned building to an active property means passing modern building codes. Additional renovations will have to be made to reduce the risk of fire, damage from severe weather and other hazards.
4. Replacing vs. Supplementing: a constant question during these projects is “should this be replaced or added onto?” Tearing down more of the structure may be required in order to ensure key load-bearing elements are made with quality materials.
5. Safely removing hazardous materials: lead paint, asbestos and poorly-installed utilities can be hazardous to a property’s future intended use. Even if these materials still fulfill their roles, they will have to be replaced with safer alternatives.

Why Should Historic Structures Be Repurposed?

When handled correctly, these projects connect modern communities with traces of their past. But there are those who struggle to find the value in protecting existing properties rather than constructing new ones. Especially with the challenges historic rehab presents, why not continue to build new instead of repurposing older buildings? Here are a few reasons why:

• Preserve a community’s heritage: for cities across the country, architecture can represent key moments in history or the city’s cultural heart. Preserving historic buildings gives communities a chance to celebrate their unique memories, and to allow these places to continue providing a central role in defining their identities.
• Provide much needed space for retail or residential property: modern zoning laws and a volatile real estate market can make reusing existing property more enticing. These historic buildings can often provide some much-needed breathing room for communities that need more housing or space for retail shops.
• Create more sustainable architecture: if you construct a new, sustainable building, the old one is still there. Choosing to invest in historic architecture can be more sustainable long-term, and reduces urban sprawl.

McClure’s Standards of Quality for Historic Rehab Projects

McClure can bring extensive project experience to your next historic renovation. We’ve collaborated with developers and institutions across the country on projects like restoring the Missouri Governor’s mansion. We’ve also helped revitalize multiple larger-scale properties such as campus facilities, theaters and more.

We utilize state-of-the-art prefabrication facilities and a variety of digital tools to improve your project’s margin for success. Working together, we’ll find and resolve as many surprises as possible to ensure your renovation lasts well into the future.

Keeping History Alive with Historic Rehab and Repurposing

Historic structures can still offer meaningful roles in communities across the country. It doesn’t matter whether you have new plans for old properties or if they deserve to stand on historical value alone. If you’re looking to revitalize quality architecture, consider McClure for historic rehab and repurposing.

We know that such delicate renovation projects are more likely to progress with the help of expert engineers. The team at McClure can apply years of experience renovating historic buildings to ensure your own project’s requirements are met. We can help refurbish outdated utilities and structural elements while maintaining the original vibrant feel of the property.

What Makes Historic Rehab So Complex?

There are many factors that make completing historic renovations such intricate projects for contractors and developers. Some owners want to maintain as much of the original structure as possible, while others can tear down problematic spaces in hopes of simplifying the project as a whole.

It’s practically expected that most historic buildings are hiding some surprises that reveal themselves during the renovation process. Some things McClure considers when handling historic rehab projects include:

1. Outdated construction methods: many buildings were completed without the modern tools and techniques we use today. Sometimes these older methods can complicate modern renovations.
2. Aging materials: brick, stone and even wood are durable materials, even after decades or centuries of use. But as buildings age, key structural elements may start to fail.
3. New building and safety codes: going from an abandoned building to an active property means passing modern building codes. Additional renovations will have to be made to reduce the risk of fire, damage from severe weather and other hazards.
4. Replacing vs. Supplementing: a constant question during these projects is “should this be replaced or added onto?” Tearing down more of the structure may be required in order to ensure key load-bearing elements are made with quality materials.
5. Safely removing hazardous materials: lead paint, asbestos and poorly-installed utilities can be hazardous to a property’s future intended use. Even if these materials still fulfill their roles, they will have to be replaced with safer alternatives.

Why Should Historic Structures Be Repurposed?

When handled correctly, these projects connect modern communities with traces of their past. But there are those who struggle to find the value in protecting existing properties rather than constructing new ones. Especially with the challenges historic rehab presents, why not continue to build new instead of repurposing older buildings? Here are a few reasons why:

• Preserve a community’s heritage: for cities across the country, architecture can represent key moments in history or the city’s cultural heart. Preserving historic buildings gives communities a chance to celebrate their unique memories, and to allow these places to continue providing a central role in defining their identities.
• Provide much needed space for retail or residential property: modern zoning laws and a volatile real estate market can make reusing existing property more enticing. These historic buildings can often provide some much-needed breathing room for communities that need more housing or space for retail shops.
• Create more sustainable architecture: if you construct a new, sustainable building, the old one is still there. Choosing to invest in historic architecture can be more sustainable long-term, and reduces urban sprawl.

McClure’s Standards of Quality for Historic Rehab Projects

McClure can bring extensive project experience to your next historic renovation. We’ve collaborated with developers and institutions across the country on projects like restoring the Missouri Governor’s mansion. We’ve also helped revitalize multiple larger-scale properties such as campus facilities, theaters and more.

We utilize state-of-the-art prefabrication facilities and a variety of digital tools to improve your project’s margin for success. Working together, we’ll find and resolve as many surprises as possible to ensure your renovation lasts well into the future.

Where We Make An Impact

McClure can help you make the most of CFS and other efficient materials.