I got to thinking today, how many (large) buildings in the U.S. have been reconstructed after being completely demolished?

 

There are two examples here in Chicago.

 

The McGraw Hill Builidng

Landmarked in 1997

Demolished in 1998

Rebuilt in 2000. 

Official Status: Demolished Building

Physical Status: Completed Building

 

Current Use: Westfield Shopping Center, Conrad Hotel

 

Streetview Image of the building in its current form:

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&q=Westfield&fb=1&gl=us&ei=OYUoS57MOorRngeg1LWlDQ&ved=0CBMQtgMwAA&radius=0.36&sll=41.891712,-87.621278&sspn=0.006357,0.014087&rq=1&ev=p&hq=Westfield&hnear=&ll=41.89136,-87.62426&spn=0,359.985913&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=41.89145,-87.624256&panoid=0n22j79sjvVf8HdGHbwc0g&cbp=12,292.65,,0,-41.82

 

Farwell Building

Landmarked in 2004

Demolished in 2009

Rebuilt in 2011

Official Status: Unknown Existence

Physical Status: Demolished Building

 

Future Use: Parking Garage / Retail / Ritz Carlton Residences

 

 

Streetview Image of the building prior to demolition

 

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&q=Westfield&fb=1&gl=us&ei=OYUoS57MOorRngeg1LWlDQ&ved=0CBMQtgMwAA&radius=0.36&sll=41.891712,-87.621278&sspn=0.006357,0.014087&rq=1&ev=p&hq=Westfield&hnear=&ll=41.89136,-87.62426&spn=0,359.985913&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=41.894138,-87.62431&panoid=FccuXPv9T2AGH9Tc8J3mVQ&cbp=12,322.81,,0,-24.34

 

 

 

Honestly, I think this is the worst kind of preservation possible (If you want to call it preservation)  Just because you demolish and rebuilt it because the structural configurations didn't work out, doesn't count as saving a building.  Certainly the general public can't tell the difference, but I think this is going to become a typical excuse for developers trying to get a project built when a historical structure stands in the way.  I hope it doesn't become as common as the facadectomy.    Still it's all better than nothing I guess, but a poor compromise

The McGraw Hill Building was not demolished.  Westfield wanted to demolish the building and rebuild with nordstrm as the anchor.

 

Preservationist stepped in and the building was declared a landmark.  Westfield then changed its plans which is why the mall curves like it does.  The building was completely stripped down to the bones. The exterior was removed and stored. The building was then made into a hotel and opened as the Le Meridien (now Conrad).

I don't believe you are correct, based on the Chicago architecture sources I've checked as well as the visible modern structural system in portions of the interior, but I'll dig around for the construction drawings and see what was done.

I don't believe you are correct, based on the Chicago architecture sources I've checked as well as the visible modern structural system in portions of the interior, but I'll dig around for the construction drawings and see what was done.

 

I was at the opening and IIRC (i cannot give an exact quote) they explained that the building was dismantled and stored.  4 or 5 thousand pieces were labeled and stored.  Then the building was put back together with one or two additional floors.

 

I found this:  http://www.chicagoarchitecture.info/Building/3492/The_McGraw-Hill_Building.php

Well, I agree with you pieces of the building were stored, the same goes for the Farwell.  I guess it really depends here on what you classify as being demolished.  The interiors and their structures are gone, and the facade disappeared from site during time of construction, so I think it's safe to say this building was out of existence for two years

Well, I agree with you pieces of the building were stored, the same goes for the Farwell.  I guess it really depends here on what you classify as being demolished.  The interiors and their structures are gone, and the facade disappeared from site during time of construction, so I think it's safe to say this building was out of existence for two years

 

I remember them saying it was the biggest restoration/rehab in chicago history.  They way the described it, the building wasn't demolished.  they had all kinds of pictures of the skeleton, so I took it as the building wasn't demolished just stripped, parts retooled, then rehabbed and put back together.

 

It was fascinating, but honestly I was just there for the food and shopping discounts.

Lol, I eat at Mezza every friday. 

Well, I agree with you pieces of the building were stored, the same goes for the Farwell. I guess it really depends here on what you classify as being demolished. The interiors and their structures are gone, and the facade disappeared from site during time of construction, so I think it's safe to say this building was out of existence for two years

 

I remember them saying it was the biggest restoration/rehab in chicago history. They way the described it, the building wasn't demolished. they had all kinds of pictures of the skeleton, so I took it as the building wasn't demolished just stripped, parts retooled, then rehabbed and put back together.

 

It was fascinating, but honestly I was just there for the food and shopping discounts.

 

It's like when they move a home by dismantling it and re-assembling it at a new location.  It's never really going to be the "same" home.