Over the past two years TKB has been working with the Capital Development Board to restore and renovate the Illinois State Armory, with input from the Illinois Historic Preservation Office.
The comprehensive project, which will be divided into Stabilization and Renovation phases of work, will include a new roof, a restored limestone façade, and interior and exterior accessibility modifications. Comprehensive code and condition updates to the architecture and MEP systems will allow for flexible, functional, and aesthetically pleasing office space to meet current and future State of Illinois needs. The building is adjacent to the Illinois Capitol Building; the project was defined during the State’s comprehensive planning for the Capitol campus.
Stabilization of the Illinois State Armory has been awarded to Williams Brothers Construction and will begin in Q1 2023; they will provide abatement services to prepare the building for the Renovation Phase of the project. Additionally, Williams Brothers will complete exterior renovations including masonry restoration, exterior accessibility modifications, and new windows.
Once complete, the comprehensive renovation of the Illinois State Armory will provide 200,000 square feet of office space to the Capitol complex, reclaiming a historic building to functional use. The Tilton, Kelly + Bell design team continues to develop plans to highlight the historic features of the Armory for the building’s planned 800 state employees.
placed the existing standing seam metal roof panels and replaced the current louver systems to create a more weather resistant enclosure. TKB also upgraded the lightning protection system by increasing the number of collection points, which will help dissipate electrical currents down and away from the building.