Garrett Seminary Renovation – Northwestern University
Historic University Renovation & Commercial Office Construction | Evanston, Illinois
Lamka Enterprises served as the General Contractor for the renovation of 12 administrative offices at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
Project Scope: Garrett – Northwestern University
Garrett at Northwestern University challenged Lamka Enterprises with a demanding assignment: completely gut and remodel six offices within an aggressive seven-week schedule. The deadline included architectural drawings, building permits, inspections, and full project completion.
Before construction began, our team coordinated site visits with all subcontractors, initiated the architectural drawings, and began the permit review process with the City of Evanston Building Department. Through careful planning and proactive coordination, we secured the necessary permits within the first week. With approval from the Building Department, our team was able to begin demolition of all six offices while the remaining permit process was underway.
Then came an unexpected challenge. By the end of the first week, Northwestern University's Board of Directors asked if we could expand the project to include six additional offices on the second floor. The scope had doubled, but the deadline remained unchanged. We accepted the challenge.
Lamka Enterprises was now responsible for completely gutting and remodeling 12 offices within seven weeks in a historic building nearly 170 years old.
We delivered. Our team completed the entire project at 7:00 p.m. on the final day of the seven-week schedule.
Several Board members told us they had never seen a contractor successfully complete a project of this size and complexity within such an aggressive timeframe. That performance earned Lamka Enterprises their trust and led to additional construction projects throughout Garrett at Northwestern University, a relationship we are proud to continue today.
The Lamka Difference: Careful planning, decisive project management, clear communication, and a commitment to delivering on our promises.
Project Highlights:
Client: Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary at Northwestern University
Project: Administrative Office Renovation
Location: Evanston, Illinois
Campus: Northwestern University's Original Campus
Project Type: Historic Renovation / University Construction / Office Renovation
Number of Offices: 12
Schedule: 7 Weeks
Lamka's Role: General Contractor
Services: Architectural Design, Construction Documents, General Contracting, Construction Management, Interior Construction, Project Coordination
Key Challenge: Renovating a historic building more than 170 years old within a seven-week schedule
Result: Completed on time and on budget
Historic University Renovation:
The project involved renovating 12 administrative offices within Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary's historic main building.
Lamka provided an integrated approach that included architectural design, construction documents, general contracting, construction management, and interior construction.
Our team coordinated the various phases of the renovation while working within the existing conditions of the historic building. The goal was to create updated office spaces while maintaining the character of the facility.
Project Challanges:
Renovating a historic building means meeting conditions no drawing shows. On the Garrett at Northwestern University project, a building nearly 170 years old, we ran into asbestos, which had to be removed, and old boiler pipes and radiators, which we replaced with new. With a fixed seven-week schedule, either one could have stopped the work. Safety is our foremost concern: asbestos and old boiler pipes carrying 212-degree steam are both serious health hazards. We coordinated materials, trades and scheduling so the project kept moving and finished on the final day.
Preserving the Character of a Historic Building:
Modernizing an older building requires a balance between new construction and the character of the existing facility.
Lamka approached the renovation with careful attention to the building's existing conditions and architectural character. The completed project provided updated administrative offices while respecting the historic setting of the university campus.
On Time. On Budget.
On Time. On Budget. Despite the challenges of renovating a building more than 170 years old on an aggressive schedule, we estimate project cost from our experience and a hard-numbers bid. Conditions no one could foresee, such as the asbestos and old boiler pipes on this project, were an additional expense that could not have been planned for in advance. We finished all 12 offices on the final day of the seven-week schedule. On this project the schedule was extremely aggressive, so we could not guarantee the finish date. We gave our word that we would do our best, and we kept it.
Planning a Commercial Renovation?
Whether you're renovating an historic building, updating an existing office, or planning a university or institutional project, Lamka Enterprises can help manage the construction process from planning through completion.
Contact Lamka Enterprises to discuss your next commercial construction project.