Every city loves to showcase its history through architecture, and they will make significant efforts to ensure that that history stays alive. While much of the inside and utilities can be upgraded or replaced, it is the outside that must be preserved. That is why historic building restoration is important not to just the city, but also the community.
Historic buildings are not only there to give us a glimpse of the past but also to help us connect to the people and their stories, keeping those memories alive. By preserving historic buildings through proper restoration, those buildings can keep their original aesthetic and provide the community with a history lesson in art, architecture and engineering.
A historic building isn’t historic just because it’s old, but because of other extraordinary features. There are a few items that define what a historic building is, and why that aging structure is so important. The building must be at least 50 years old, have some significance to the local or the national history, and must be a remarkable example of the architectural style or the work of a talented architect.
Additional reasons a building can be deemed historic, and also a worthy candidate to have a restoration, include it being a local landmark, if it is recognized as a contributing structure to a district listed on the National Register of Historic Places, or if the building itself is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Bringing a historic building back to its original glory will be a challenge, but a worthwhile challenge. Because of the significance associated to historic buildings, it is vital that the character is maintained through the restoration process. Minor changes can have a big impact. Any alterations made must consider the specific design intent put in place by the original architect.
Striving to keep that character should also mean working with the historic elements as much as possible. If a replacement is necessary, the new material, design, color, and texture should match the original as closely as possible.
Also present are historic building regulations and building codes. Even though restoring this building to look as close to original is very important, it is even more important that safety is prioritized. Through consultation with code officials, facility managers and designers, the initial planning process will help identify potential changes that could pop up during the project.
Historic buildings showcase some iconic moments of our past, and we should strive to keep those memories alive. To get a quote on a historic building restoration, call DC Byers Company/Grand Rapids today at (616) 538-7300. Our experience and expertise allow us to assess the damage correctly and plan how to perform the repairs to allow you to use your space properly.
DC Byers Company/Grand Rapids looks at our building restoration service projects with a critical eye, inspecting structures to identify the underlying causes of deterioration. Our proposals for restoration work include recommendations for resolving any related problems and restoring the structure to the desired condition.