2024 Southeast Best Projects
Merit Renovation/Restoration - Alton Lennon Federal Building and US Courthouse Repair and Alteration Disaster Recovery
Photo by Jim Sink Photography
Alton Lennon Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse Repair and Alteration Disaster Recovery
Wilmington, N.C.
Award of Merit
Submitted by: Brasfield & Gorrie
Owner: U.S. General Services Administration
Lead Design Firm, Structural, MEP Engineer: Complete Engineering & Multi-Discipline Solutions
General Contractor: Brasfield & Gorrie
Architectural Conservation Firm: Jablonski Building Conservation
Architectural Consultant: Walter P Moore
Construction Manager: AECOM
Interior Design: Mason & Hanger
Sustainability Consultant: Hastings
Built in 1919 as a custom house in the neoclassical revival style, the historic three-story, 60,031-sq-ft Alton Lennon Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is on the National Register of Historic places. After Hurricane Florence caused significant damage to both the building’s exterior and interior in 2018, the U.S. General Services Administration initiated the $40-million project. Interior environmental concerns required the building to be evacuated until repairs could be completed.
The project’s scope included a comprehensive rehabilitation of the existing building envelope, replacement of building MEP systems and the remediation and restoration of the building’s interiors. In addition, new space layouts were included to improve the use of the building.
Restoring the building to its original architectural finishes was imperative and included plaster ceilings and moldings as well as recapturing the building’s historic color palette.
While not originally planned to achieve LEED certification, through a common late-stage goal the project achieved LEED v4 Silver. The goal was set after 75% of construction was completed. The project received LEED Silver certification and exceeded small business subcontracting goals.
Completed in October 2023, the project was delivered ahead of schedule and under budget. As a result, judicial proceedings were able to recommence in the building about three months early.
