masonry restoration

CLARK HALL, SCAD - 1887

Savannah, GA

RAILROAD HISTORY

Clarke Hall has stood as a Savannah landmark since it was constructed as the Red Building of the Central of Georgia Railroad in 1887. This four story building was designed by notable architect Alfred Salom Eichberg and contained administration offices to accommodate the expanding clerical staff of the Central of Georgia.

In 1859, the adjacent railway sheds were constructed using Savannah grey brick. In 1910, the connection between the red brick building and the shed was constructed. In 1976, the railroad complex was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is known as the largest existing railroad depot in the United States. Clarke Hall was acquired by the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in 1988, and it remains the head of the School of the Building Arts programs of the university. Since SCAD’s acquisition, the building has provided Savannah with yet another exemplary model of adaptive rehabilitation, and has gained renewed significance as the birthplace of an internationally recognized institution. In acknowledgment of this legacy, the university sought to restore the building and its missing key features.

The exterior and interior of the building required extensive attention and the Landmark Preservation team performed the following tasks:

• Thorough cleaning and removal of biological growth, foliage, atmospheric grime and efflorescence

• Structural masonry repairs

• Stone repair, crack repair and repointing

• Cleaning and repair of cast iron elements

• Removal of previous inappropriate repairs and mortar

• Selective repointing, masonry repair and removal of abandoned fasteners on exterior and interior masonry

• Removal of inappropriate paint on exterior and interior masonry

• Window repair and refinishing

• Restoration of the cupola and dormer windows

• Replacement of missing historic cast iron grilles

• Recreation of the hand gilded rosette

• Replacement of missing sconces by the main entry on the east elevation. Sconces selected by client.

• Restoration of existing wood main entry pocket doors on the east elevation