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Projects San Francisco, California

Flood Building
Sandstone Facade Restoration

The Flood Building withstood the great 1906 earthquake and the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake with little structural damage; however, eighty-eight years of weathering had severely deteriorated the sandstone facade. In addition, the original Colusa sandstone arches and curtain wall was removed from the lower two floors in 1952 and replaced with a "modern" cladding. 870 Market Street Associates retained WJE to investigate the condition of the building's facade and develop repair alternatives.

CLIENT
870 Market Street Associates

STRUCTURE
The Flood Building is a 12-story, steel frame structure with a highly ornamental stone facade built in 1904. The building, a historical landmark, is clad in colusa sandstone, a popular local building material used on many San Francisco buildings of this vintage.

SCOPE OF SERVICE

Close-up condition inspections of each block recorded in the field on scaled elevation drawings prepared with rectified photography

Material testing including in situ cleaning and paint removal tests and petrographic evaluation of stone

Evaluation report including preparation of a detailed technical report and a presentation recommending repair alternatives before City Landmarks Board

Construction documents including preparation of technical specifications and detailed drawings for complete architectural rehabilitation

Construction administration including performing site inspections to allocate repairs and monitor work

  SOLUTION

Restored sandstone elements including patching deteriorated stone; replacing severely deteriorated elements; and pointing mortar joints

Replaced 1950's era cladding with FRP to match original stone

Added copper flashings at the cornice and water tables to protect the stone below

Project received a California Presentation Foundation Award

 
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STRUCTURE

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SERVICE
Facade Assessment
Historic Preservation

 

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