CREJ

December 2018 \ BUILDING DIALOGUE \ 39 needs to be maintained to protect its status? • What “historical elements” do we work to save, rehabilitate, etc.? 2. Early engagement with project partners . Adding historic elements to the project creates additional, unique concerns that will need to be addressed early during the design phase. Bringing the construction manager or general contractor onto the job early provides more time to research and understand the proj- ect, creating a much-needed differentiator in this segment of renovation. The same is true for architecture, engineering and consulting firms that have experience protecting the integrity of a building and seeking grants, tax credits or other financial resources. 3. Align schedules with financing requirements. It’s vital for everyone involved in the many aspects of financing a historic renovation to keep completion date requirements for grants, tax credits and other financial aids at the forefront of their planning sched- ules. Missing those important dates could lead to a catastrophic setback for the project, depending on the size of the renovation and the financing needed. Having those conversations with stakeholders and understanding the requirements for project financing is a key meeting that needs to happen early in the design phase. 4. How much technology? Breathing new life into weathered structures is not limited to the building façade. Advancements in technology and the emergence of Generation Z in the mar- ketplace are pushing historic renovations to seamlesslymerge a connected environment. This ranges from reliable, high-speed Wi-Fi to individually controlled, in-room smart devices and everything in between to ensure personal preferences are ful- filled. How far owners are willing to go to satisfy end-users is a critical assessment to ensure expectations are met all around. 5. Budget for contingencies. A historic renovation can provide cost savings through the structure, skin, interiors and addition- al aspects already being in place. However, due to the elevated likelihood of unforeseen conditions, a renovation adds the risk of being less predictable. A comprehensive historic restoration utilizing original building materials and techniques can add to the cost as opposed to implementing modern building methods to obtain similar results. Therefore, it’s important to budget for the unexpected and potential cost overruns to match desired historical features. \\ mike.cooper@weitz.com ELEMENTS Historic Renovations The Weitz Company performed renovations on this historic landmark that was built in 1877 in Des Moines, Iowa. Originally, the space was a grand manor home and Weitz added the the- ater in 1923 before restoring it in the early 2000s while the fa- cility remained in operation to host events featuring world-re- nowned musicians and local performing arts. The Orpheum Lofts was the renovation of the historical land- mark formerly known as the Phoenix Title and Trust Building in downtown Phoenix into a 90-unit residential development with a top-level penthouse. It features the original concrete structure reinforced with new structural steel framing. The ex- terior consists of the original historical brick façade and new exterior insulation and finish system. The historically renovated Tea Room lobby is found on the sixth floor of the Wilkins Building in the heart of Des Moines, Iowa. This venue was left almost unsalvageable after a massive fire took over the building, which was originally built in 1899 by The Weitz Co. Weitz was able to save the iconic event space and cre- ate four floors of multifamily housing in addition.