Like other U.S. urban centers, Chicago in the 1950s was booming and constantly reinventing itself. Unfortunately, the pace of progress relegated several historic treasures to the wrecking ball. In 1957, the city known as “the birthplace of modern architecture” launched a historic preservation movement and a Commission on Chicago Landmarks. This eventually led to the establishment of the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois in the 1970s.

Today, the preservation of Chicago’s early skyscrapers, cultural attractions, residences and natural spaces figures heavily into an ever-evolving urban landscape. While older buildings possess historical significance and aesthetically pleasing architectural detail, they also pose formidable challenges related to safety and modern function.

Jamerson & Bauwens

“Getting around those challenges requires expertise and a great deal of problem solving,” said Gary Shamasko, vice president of solutions for Jamerson & Bauwens Electrical Contractors Inc., Northbrook, Ill. “Engagement with clients early on is key to understanding and successfully carrying out each restoration project.”

The Richard H. Driehaus Museum in the River North neighborhood of Chicago houses his collection of art and glass.

Since 1974, the multigeneration electrical contractor has specialized in healthcare, commercial electrical construction, infrastructure and integrated systems solutions. It’s also forged a reputation for supporting meticulous historic restorations and conversions.

“One particular client (a general contractor) has a division that focuses on historic preservation,” Shamasko said. “They’re entrusting us to install new services in entire buildings with the tenants in them. It’s difficult work, but we enjoy the challenge. We like to say yes when other people say no.”

Though preservation work makes up only a small percent of Jamerson & Bauwens’ business, depending on the year, Shamasko sees plenty of reason for taking it on.

“This work is at the roots of Chicago,” he said. “We’re an architectural city with many older buildings, some with national historic landmark status.”

Jamerson & Bauwens recently sponsored an exhibition of historic architectural photographs taken by the late Richard Nickel, a photographer and historic preservation activist.

Nickel lost his life documenting the demolition of buildings designed by Louis Sullivan, an influential architect affiliated with the Chicago School. Sullivan is known as the “father of skyscrapers” and “father of Modernism.”

Richard H. Driehaus, founder of the Driehaus Museum, initiated the exhibition. The museum also happens to be one of several historic properties Jamerson & Bauwens has helped to maintain modern functionality.

Housed in the 24,000-square-foot Nickerson Mansion, the museum explores art, architecture and design of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Built in 1883 at the height of the Gilded Age, the structure continues to thrive, thanks to Jamerson & Bauwens’ installation of 1,600A and 2,500A service, new wiring, HVAC, a fire alarm system, period-appropriate lighting, dimmable lighting and standby generator. Marble surfaces and lavish decorations could not be marred, which made the work especially challenging.

“Preserving structural integrity takes priority when you’re working with sometimes priceless and irreplaceable interior and exterior detailing, fixtures and finishes.” —Gary Shamasko, Jamerson & Bauwens Electrical Contractors Inc.

“Preserving structural integrity takes priority when you’re working with sometimes priceless and irreplaceable interior and exterior detailing, fixtures and finishes,” Shamasko said.

Jamerson & Bauwens also took on the renovation of the Monroe Building, built in 1912. Designed by creators of the gothic skyscraper, Holabird and Roche, the 16-story structure features a green-tiled roof, exterior walls clad in terracotta and granite. Floors two through four house the Pritzker Military Museum and Library.

For the 150,000-square-foot structure, Jamerson & Bauwens installed an all-new electric service, emergency generator, busduct and new tenant electric closets on all floors.

Interior restoration work included a vaulted lobby with one of the largest commercial installations of Rookwood floor tile in the country, decorative iron elevator grilles, doors and hardware, and lighting fixtures.

The main lobby of the Newberry Library honors history and modern functions. 

As with similar historic projects, Jamerson & Bauwens worked with restorationists and other trade professionals to avoid affecting original surfaces. Original construction documents, early photographs and historic materials found on-site informed the authenticity of the restoration effort.

Building information modeling (BIM) played a key role in speeding up the restoration planning process and coordination of work, Shamasko said. “Whether it’s new construction or restoration, BIM helps us avoid clashes and intersections with other trades.”

Using an OpenSpace camera, a BIM staff member typically scans spaces for potential electrical pathways to be worked into the model. The camera allows for comparison of field conditions to the BIM and verification of construction progress.

In many instances, it’s been possible to prefabricate racks to organize and carry multiple services—electric, HVAC, security, fire alarm and plumbing, Shamasko said.

Like the Monroe Building, the Newberry Library also features elaborate archways and irreplaceable tile work. These also presented formidable challenges for installing modern safety features. The privately endowed, independent research library located on Chicago’s North Side houses collections related to Western civilization, Latin American history and modern North American history. Its first librarian, William Frederick Poole, and architect Henry Ives Cobb designed the 1893 structure.

With the building fully occupied, Jamerson & Bauwens completed service upgrades, installed a new UPS emergency system, all new LED lighting and lighting controls and a fire alarm system.

“We definitely worked as partners with the restorationists and all the different trades, the woodworkers, the plasterers,” said Mike Pearce, senior project manager for Jamerson & Bauwens. “There are lots of custom niches when it comes to this kind of work. We even worked with a lighting company that made lighting fixtures to look like replicas of fixtures from 1910.”

A brightly lit foyer beckons researchers to explore the historical resources of the Newberry Library, renovated by Jamerson & Bauwens.

The job went quickly in the building’s upper levels, which include modern office spaces with drop ceilings. The most painstaking efforts took place on the lower levels, Pearce said. Ornate archways and tiles decorate the large first floor foyer and lobby. Ballrooms feature ornately plastered ceilings and serve as popular wedding venues.

A basement level allowed for placing conduit and cabling beneath the first floor, Pearce said. Plasterers trained in restoration work repaired holes for cable in other areas.

“We also installed LED lighting outdoors around the archways on the first floor where people like to take photos at night,” Pearce said. “It was a challenging job, with changes along the way that included the addition of low-voltage, security cameras, card readers and smoke detectors.”

Jamerson & Bauwens has also helped create new spaces in older structures.

The Chicago Club building, completed in 1929, now features a 3,000-square-foot rooftop bar and lounge offering views of Lake Michigan. Jamerson & Bauwens installed a 3,000A service, new electrical distribution for the entire building, corridor lighting on all 16 floors and fire alarm upgrades.

Other historic preservation projects for Jamerson & Bauwens include Chicago’s University Club and the Palmolive Building.

Located on Chicago’s North Michigan Avenue, the Palmolive building was designated a Chicago Landmark in 2000 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. Built in 1929 as home to the Colgate-Palmolive-Peet Corp., the 37-story Art Deco building later housed the editorial offices of Playboy magazine. Around 2015, Jamerson & Bauwens completed electrical work related to conversion of the upper floors to high-end condos.

Malko Communication Services

Besides having unique features requiring careful consideration, older buildings are denser than newer ones.

“Historic venues were not designed with wireless signal propagation in mind,” said Thomas Pedergnana, vice president of Malko Communication Services, Skokie, Ill. “The structures often included thicker concrete and stone walls. But newer technologies offer ways around this.”

Malko Communication got its start in 1926 by changing out gas lighting in homes and businesses. 

“Since the early 1900s, we’ve played a part in advancing older locations to new technologies,” Pedergnana said. “It’s an honor to continue this tradition by bringing new technologies to Chicago’s historic buildings.”

Malko Communication’s electricians and certified technicians install and support fiber optic cable, DAS, wireless technology, low-voltage voice and data transmissions, audiovisual technology, alarm systems, security access and emergency backup power, as well as LED lighting and controls.

The company has partnered for decades with Jamerson & Bauwens on historic restorations and other projects. Like Shamasko, Pedergnana appreciates the need to tread lightly.

For a large-scale Wi-Fi deployment at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre, Malko Communication worked amid 24-karat gold-leafed ceiling arches, ornate gilded and bas-relief designs, murals and floor and wall mosaics. A National Historic Landmark, the theatre is known internationally for its innovative design and superior acoustics.

Designed by Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan, the building officially opened in 1889. With a granite base and limestone walls for the lower stories, it also featured electric lighting and air conditioning.

Malko Communication’s more recent restoration followed past restoration efforts by others to keep the live-performance venue vital and operating.

“Because of the unique materials and shape, we made multiple site walks to verify cable and equipment placements,” Pedergnana said. “With historic properties like this one, we definitely take a hands-on, custom approach.”

Besides Wi-Fi, Malko Communication also set up state-of-the-art point-of-sale technology to enable the theatre to accept admission payments on the spot and online.

For work in and around the Aon Ballroom at Chicago’s Navy Pier, Malko Communication took a similar hands-on, light-touch approach. That structure also features gold-leaf decorations, original brick and tilework and historic murals. The job included installation and setup of DAS to boost cell communications.

In 2015, Malko Communication provided similar services for a conversion of office space in the Roanoke Building to a Marriott Residence Inn. Constructed in two phases, starting in 1915, the 35-story building was named a Chicago landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.

“We’re definitely seeing more people appreciate and respect historic buildings,” Pedergnana said. “It’s important. We appreciate having the opportunity to work on historic buildings that were the foundation for all the (architectural) advances we’ve enjoyed for the last 100 years.”

shutterstock / leoks / Steve Hall of Hedrich Blessing / Tom Rossiter