This $19 million project was the first of its kind as a select contractor bid for the City. A working partnership was in place between the contractor and the City's agencies. The scope of work included the complete restoration of the Library's main reading room known as Bates Hall, completed in November 1997; the restoration and technological enhancement of the Catalogue, Newspaper, and Micro text rooms; the creation of a new two-story northwest corridor connecting the McKim and Johnson buildings; and, the restoration of the marble and granite promenade of the Grand Courtyard with the creation of a second floor walkway atop the promenade. In addition, all windows were removed, reglazed, refurbished, and reinstalled.

This project received the Grand Honor Award at the 1999 Associated General Contractors' Build Massachusetts Award Program, and the 2001 Harleston Parker Award for Architectural Excellence.

Architect: Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott

More information about this project can be found in the article:
A Little More than Your Typical "Team Building Exercise"

McKim Building - Phase IIC
Copley Square, Boston, MA

After an award-winning performance for Phase II of the McKim Building Restoration, Lee Kennedy Co. performed a subsequent phase of the project. Phase IIC entailed a $14 million restoration of 37,580 square feet in the McKim Building.

The murals painted between 1895 and 1916 by renowned American artist John Singer Sargent that adorn the walls of the Library's Sargent Gallery were reconditioned and the Gallery's dark sandstone stonework was cleaned. Skylights were installed to create natural light in the Gallery and replace the existing, unattractive florescent lighting. The terrazzo floor of the Webster Room was restored as was woodwork inside the Room. The ceiling and walls inside the Cheverus Room were re-plastered and the Room's display cabinets were refurbished. The Changing Exhibits room benefited from plaster repair and a new marble floor.

American artist, Edwin Austin Abbey painted the colorful murals inside the Abbey Room depicting "The Quest of the Holy Grail." The murals, installed in 1895, were completely restored and woodwork in the Abbey Room, including the ceiling's heavy ornamental rafters, was completely reconditioned. Existing marble flooring was also restored.

Inside the Trustees Foyer, decorative painting, woodwork and wood flooring were refurbished. The Trustees Room received new velvet wall covering. Wood flooring and architectural woodwork were also refinished in the Room. New carpet, marble window stools and a new media cabinet were installed in the Trustees Conference Room.

The project included the renovation of electric fixtures throughout the space and a new elevator that was retrofitted in the Building. New MEP work was performed in the Building. For HVAC work to occur in the attic, careful measures were taken to accommodate the space limitations of working above the barrel vaulted ceiling of Bates Hall. A faster book conveyer system, which transports books from the historic McKim Building to the Johnson Building, was installed. Finally, exterior windows were renovated throughout the building.

Architect: Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott

More information about this project can be found in the article:
Challenges of Boston Public Library Renovation Creates Innovative Opportunities