• Products
  • Manufacturers
    • ARC Limited
    • Ceraclad
    • Construction Specialties
    • Kingspan Light & Air
    • EQUITONE
    • Castworks Architectural Forms
    • Protean
    • SFS
    • Strongirt
    • Fundermax
  • Projects
  • Arcspec News
  • Education
  • Contact
  • Products
  • Manufacturers
    • ARC Limited
    • Ceraclad
    • Construction Specialties
    • Kingspan Light & Air
    • EQUITONE
    • Castworks Architectural Forms
    • Protean
    • SFS
    • Strongirt
    • Fundermax
  • Projects
  • Arcspec News
  • Education
  • Contact

Renovation of Willoughby Tower with FRP

October 19, 2023
FEATURED
MANUFACTURER

Located on Michigan Avenue, opposite Millennium Park “Willoughby Tower” building was built in 1929. It is cladded with limestone and originally had cast iron spandrel panels and window sills and a cast iron storefront. The old decorative iron spandrel panels had deteriorated over the years and were beginning to fail so it was determined to replace all the panels and sills with replicated FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic), manufactured by Plasterform

Central Building & Preservation removed numerous cast iron panels and window sills for sample and forwarded to Plasterform in developing the replacement FRP panels and sills. A mockup was prepared to ensure the new support system worked and to understand the installation means
As this is a landmarked building, Central Building had to ensure the sills and spandrel panels matched the original color. This was done by reviewing historic drawings and photographs and performing an on-site analysis of the paint finishes using field microscopy of the building.
Plasterform sandblasted the cast iron parts and cast rubber molds from them. These rubber molds were used to create the models and new molds. Plasterform then cast 319 fiberglass sills and spandrel panels and then primed and painted the gelcoat with a polyurethane paint in the approved finish.

The project to remove the spandrels and sills began in mid-March 2022 and was finished late December 2022

Plasterform utilizes the industry’s best methods throughout every step of the process – from design, to estimating, to production. Whether you need to maintain a historical aesthetic or wish to establish a new one, Plasterform has a product that fits your purpose. Let Arcspec assist your team on your next project! Contact us today at 847-362-1590 or visit our website at www.arcspec.us for more information.
Return To News

225 Peterson Road
Libertyville, IL 60048
847-362-1590
info@arcspec.us

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

Copyright ©2022 Arcspec. All rights reserved. Site design by OtherWisz Creative

Scroll to top Scroll to top Scroll to top