The Powerhouse
Location: Chicago, IL
Work area: 45,000 square feet
Architect: Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture

As one of two remaining powerhouses in Chicago and one of few left in the country, the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Powerhouse exhibits many architectural characteristics of the Beaux Arts style, which was very fashionable in the early 20th century and was the unique style of many powerhouses built around that time.

The masonry, terra cotta, and steel structure—originally built as a coal burning power generation plant—had been empty for more than 30 years.

Project description:
• Riis Borg collaborated with the developer to create efficient construction techniques and assemblies to make the project financially viable

• Careful restoration of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Powerhouse—a nearly 100-year old Chicago and National Historical Landmark building— for commercial and retail use in Chicago’s expanding West Loop Neighborhood

• Extensive cleaning and interior/ exterior restoration due to years of neglect

Project highlights:
• New modern steel structure installed completely within and attached to the walls of the existing building; significant study was completed by construction team: Riis Borg, Structured Development and Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture to assure that the new structure integrated with the old structure to avoid differential settlement, vibration, and other potential impacts

• Parking structure below the Powerhouse with access through and under the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad track system

• Worked with the City of Chicago Landmarks Commission and the National Register of Historic Places to ensure requirements and standards
for historic structures were maintained

• Acquired national historic landmark status

• Close coordination of work schedules with the Union Pacific Railroad and Metra due to the building’s location adjacent to and beneath the Union Pacific’s switch building and railroad
track structure

Services provided:
• General contracting
• Budgeting & estimating
• Value engineering
• Various self-performed