Project name: Embassy Condominiums

Location: Portland

Completion: September 2024

Size: 12,000 square feet

Cost: $4.9 million

Owner/Developer: Embassy Condominium Owners Association

Engineer: Edward Crabaugh Engineering Consulting

General Contractor: I&E Construction

Submitting Company: I&E Construction

Subcontractors: D&F Plumbing, NW Scaffold, Oswego Drywall

A century-old structure on Northwest Flanders Street received a new lease on life as crews completed a delicate plumbing renovation at the Embassy Condominiums while preserving its historical character.

The comprehensive project replaced all above-grade plumbing supply and waste lines in the occupied building, requiring workers to navigate unique challenges including unusual wall construction and lead containment issues.

One of the most significant hurdles the project team faced was the issue of lead containment. Because of the building’s age, lead-based materials were present in areas like paint, plaster, and finishes. Crews implemented a mobile lead containment system featuring negative air pressure to prevent contamination. Workers wore protective coveralls and respirators while constructing modular containment areas that could be transported between units.

An unexpected challenge emerged when workers discovered the building’s walls were constructed with metal lath and plaster rather than traditional wood framing. This required installing new metal framing inside walls to properly secure drywall. This was highly unusual, even for a building of its age, and required a complete reassessment of the team’s approach.

Restoring a structure of this age required an exceptional level of precision. Preserving original elements like the century-old switchboards, terrazzo floors, and vintage bathroom and kitchen tiles presented unique challenges. For example, repairing terrazzo is a specialized skill, as only a few craftsmen can perform this intricate work. The project team took great care to protect these elements, ensuring that restoration was done without compromise.

With residents living in the building throughout the renovation, work was carefully planned to minimize disruption. Since each unit had only one bathroom, crews ensured new fixtures were installed and operational by day’s end.

The project also addressed long-standing issues with the building’s aging infrastructure. A modern hot water recirculation system was installed, delivering hot water faster throughout the building while improving energy efficiency.

During renovation, workers encountered sewer gas buildup in a confined space, prompting immediate safety measures including temporary exhaust systems to eliminate the hazardous buildup.

The restoration required exceptional customer service. The building had been awaiting restoration for more than six years, making communication with residents crucial. The team realized that restoring a century-old building can be a deeply emotional process for residents. From the beginning, contractors focused on fostering trust, keeping residents informed, and promptly addressing concerns.

“The Embassy Condominiums restoration project is a true testament to the power of innovative problem-solving and craftsmanship,” said Mitchell McBride, I&E Construction project manager/estimator, in the project nomination form. “By balancing the preservation of historic elements with modern upgrades, we’ve not only ensured the building’s long-term functionality but also revitalized a cherished piece of the community’s history.”

The post Embassy Condominiums appeared first on Daily Journal of Commerce.

Project name: Columbia County – John Gumm Building Adaptive Reuse

Location: St. Helens

Completion: September 2024

Size: 28,400 square feet

Cost: $10,589,883

Owner/Developer: Columbia County

Architect: Emerick Architects

Engineers: Shutte Consulting Engineers, Lower Columbia Engineering, System Design Consultants

General Contractor: Bremik Construction

Submitting Company: Bremik Construction

Other Associates/Key Consultants: Ameresco, Mike DeRoia (building inspector), Meritus Consulting, Columbia Economic Team, Columbia-Pacific Economic Development District, Columbia County Small Business Development Center, Columbia County Historical Society and Museum

Subcontractors: A-Line Concrete Cutting, All In One Mobility, Authority Dock & Door, B & B Tile Masonry, Brandsen Hardwood Floors, Brightservice Cleaning, Building Material Specialties, Cedar Landscape, Chosen Wood Window Maintenance, COSCO Fire Protection, Culver Glass, Custom Source Woodworking, District Painting, Duke Construction and Excavation, Eagle Striping Services, Elite Steel Products, Floor Factors, Huntco Supply, Interior Technology, IRS Environmental of Portland, MB Structures, McDonald & Wetle, Northwest Masonry Restoration, OEG, Pioneer Sheetmetal, Portland Millwork, RC Building Specialties, Scaffold Erectors, Sign Wizards, Stewart Mechanical, T.F.T. Construction, Western Partitions, Zavala

After sitting vacant for more than two decades, the historic John Gumm Building has been transformed into a vibrant community hub through an ambitious 16-month restoration project.

Originally built in 1919 as St. Helens Elementary School, the nearly century-old structure required extensive work to address unique structural challenges. The building was discovered to be sitting directly on a bedrock shelf with no footing, a common condition for buildings of that era. However, it was constructed on two different shelf levels, creating a 2-foot elevation difference in the basement floor. One of the most unusual conditions was the retaining wall footing at the back of the building. When excavation hit a bedrock shelf, preventing the footing from reaching correct elevation, contractors had to epoxy 204 dowels into the bedrock to anchor the new footing – a rare and complex engineering solution that required significant planning and collaboration.

Fitting a new elevator into the existing structure also posed a major challenge. The historical layout did not accommodate ADA and headroom clearance requirements, necessitating precise adjustments while preserving structural stability.

The renovation team, led by Bremik Construction, focused on preserving key historical elements while implementing modern upgrades. Original wood casement windows were repaired, the front entry door and relights were reused, and the auditorium was restored to its original state by removing an added balcony and repositioning the stage.

Seismic retrofitting was a critical component, incorporating steel braces, shear walls and reinforced concrete foundations to ensure the building could withstand seismic activity without compromising its architectural character.

The project also faced challenges integrating modern systems into the historic framework. In one instance, the project team had to install a large HVAC unit in the basement through a concrete wall with only half-inch clearance on each side, then maneuver it over a 4-foot-deep pit and lower it into place using approved shoring and support systems.

The newly revitalized building now serves multiple community functions. The first floor features a 1,700-square-foot auditorium for public meetings, a catering kitchen, office space for economic organizations and a new 1,400-square-foot museum. The basement and upper floors house Columbia County departments.

By balancing preservation with modernization, the John Gumm Building has been successfully transformed into a functional, accessible space while preserving its historical essence for future generations, once again standing as a cornerstone of the St. Helens community.

The post Columbia County – John Gumm Building Adaptive Reuse appeared first on Daily Journal of Commerce.