May 15, 2014 –Construction has been completed on the final units of the Ames Shovel Works Apartments, an historic preservation project that transformed seven granite buildings in a 19th century industrial complex into 113 apartment units. The original buildings were constructed between 1852 and 1885 and were slated for demolition by a prior developer before the buildings were converted into housing after being purchased by owner/developer Beacon Communities. Designed by Prellwitz Chilinski Associates (PCA), the project called for Universal Window and Door to provide nearly 700 historically accurate windows to qualify for$4.28M State and $6.07M Federal Historic Tax Credits, as the buildings are listed on the National Park Service Register of Historic Places.
The project presented unique challenges in part because of the inconsistency of the window openings throughout the various buildings. Universal worked closely with PCA, General Contractor Keith Construction and window installer Hannah Environmental to ensure that the windows fit correctly and achieved the energy efficiency that helped the project maintain eligibility for LEED certification.
The Shovel Works had been listed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2009 list of America’s most endangered historic places before Beacon Communities acquired the property 2009.
About Universal Window and Door
Founded in 1968, Universal Window and Door provides architects, general contractors and developers of Historic Buildings with high-quality, technologically-advanced aluminum custom window solutions. Our historic lines of windows are designed to meet the stringent requirements of the National Historic Register and the National Park Service, and we also provide window solutions along with a full line of products for the new construction of commercial, heavy commercial, institutional and residential projects. Learn more at www.universalwindow.com.
CONTACT: Charlotte Broussard, Owner, Universal Window and Door
CharlotteB@universalwindow.com Office: (508) 481-2850 Cell: 508-400-0410