racetracks

Focus on architects and engineers:
The old is new and vital again
By Ralph Nardone
Northeast Pennsylvania cities and towns
are dotted with interesting architecture
created years ago. Many area investors and
policy-makers are focusing on restoring
these buildings to house the offices,
stores, and residences of the future.
The issues in restoring these venerable
fixtures center around how to take a property
built in the late 19th century and
maintain its “historical significance” while
meeting the requirements of its new occupants,
say local architects.
Richard Leonori, a partner with
Hemmler Camayd, an architectural firm
in Scranton that is currently working on
the old Scranton Central High School
building now the headquarters for
Lackawanna College says some parts of
that building had to be “modernized”
and other parts restored.
“Every building has some attributes
worth restoring.A professional architect
can usually tell by looking at them
whether they are worth restoring,” he said.
The Central High School building was
built in the late 1800s and early 1900s and
the restoration project will take about six
years and cost over $15 million.The project
should be completed in 2006.
“The building has an outstanding exterior
envelope,” Leonori says.“The interior
is where most of the work has to be
done,” he says.The exterior has the
details from a time when architecture
was done with a high level of “artistry
and craftsmanship,” he adds.
The objective is to ally the building’s
aesthetic features with its new
functions, he said.
The architects said they were able
to restore the theater, now named
the Mellow Theater; the massive
lobby; the ornate corridors; and the
library, which now is the boardroom
for Lackawanna College.
But other areas had to “succumb to modernization”
Leonori says.“Central High
School used to have a boy’s and a girl’s
side, with separate lockers and showers.
That all had to be changed,” he said.
In the early 1900s, buildings were
designed with excessive partitioning, an
office design trend of the time.
Now, offices are designed to be wide
open to allow flexibility and maneuverability,
Leonori says. So, walls had to be
removed and floor plans changed, he said.
The building had to be brought up to
current fire codes. It had a open staircase,
which was popular earlier in the past century.
However, today, those wide open
areas are considered big chimneys by fire
officials, Leonori adds. In addition, firerated
doors are needed.
Leonori notes that buildings constructed
after the 1920’s usually require less
fire and safety-related changes because,
by and large, they live up to modern
codes. But those built before that time are
usually not compliant with current codes
at all, he says.
Another modernization necessity is
making the building handicap-accessible,
Leonori says.That was not a priority in
the early 1900s.
For example, some corridors and elevators
had to be changed so wheelchairbound
visitors can use them.
Leonori points out that new construction
can be “very disappointing.” Newer
buildings are often not as sturdy and can
be very nondescript.
He adds that the Central High School
building has a “uniqueness and character”
that make it worth restoring.
George Leitner, vice president of the
Markle Building located in downtown
Hazleton, says that when an old building is
targeted for restoration, then designers,
investors, builders, and consultants all
must work as a team.
The 12-story Markle Building, constructed
in 1910, is the highest structure in
Hazleton and its restoration will cost
around $5 million. Another six story section,
built in 1923, is attached.
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42 • NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2003