Two GP Projects Honored by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks

The City of Chicago Commission on Chicago Landmarks recently honored two GP projects in their 2018 Preservation Excellence Awards. The London Guarantee Building, now part of LondonHouse Chicago, was recognized for Adaptive Reuse and Addition, and the American Book Company Building, as part of the Marriott Marquis Chicago complex, was recognized for Adaptive Reuse.

The 1923 London Guarantee Building was converted from obsolete office space into a new hotel with associated retail. Extensive exterior work included masonry repairs and cleaning, historic window repair, replication of missing ornamental metalwork, and a new, one-story addition and roof deck. Interior work included a full build-out of hotel rooms, meeting spaces and ballrooms. A new 21-story tower addition was built on the adjacent surface parking lot, adding 78,000 square feet to the property. 

The original 1912 American Book Company Building had been vacant for many years. The extensive rehabilitation was part of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority project connected to the $350 million Marriott Marquis Chicago hotel. The project included masonry repairs and cleaning, window and door replacement, and restoration of historic lobby finishes, including the vaulted ceiling, the marble stair and balustrade, and the tiled walls. Meeting rooms and office spaces on the upper floors serve needs for the adjacent hotel, and commercial retail spaces occupy the first floor.