The cost of achieving LEED Silver existing buildings for a more than 100-year-old structure is considerably more than for new construction.

The design-build team of Clayco and the Lamar Johnson Collaborative tackled the challenge of working around many historical protected facets of the existing building by working closely with Chicago’s Commission on Chicago Landmarks on approvals. Energy-efficient MEP systems and low-emitting construction materials helped increase the sustainability of the historic Marshall Field’s building during the store-to-office conversion. They created a rooftop greenspace, complete with a bocce ball court, fireplaces and water fountains. Working in a century-old building presented the challenges of lead paint and asbestos removal as well as the need to work delicately around the iconic clay arch ceiling tiles and the Tiffany glass vaulted dome ceiling, which is so expensive it is deemed uninsurable.