30 East Elm Street

Chicago, Illinois

Project

2015 Balcony Restoration and Associated Facade Repairs

Date Completed

2015

The 30 East Elm Building is a 20-story residential tower located on the north side of East Elm Street between North State Street and North Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois. The building was constructed in the late 1950’s and designed by L.R. Solomon and Associates of Chicago, Illinois.

The building’s reinforced concrete structure is concealed by a glazed brick masonry veneer along the east and west facing walls. A steel curtain wall system provides the cladding for the north and south elevations. Each of the north and south elevations contain two vertical tiers of cantilevered balconies.  The balcony slab edges were covered by a steel c-channel which supported the balcony railings.  The existing balcony railings were constructed of hollow tubed steel with slate infill panels and steel grating.   

The main project scope addressed the removal and replacement of the existing steel railing system and supporting c-channel. Associated repairs consisted of brick masonry repairs, concrete repairs, sealant repairs, membrane installation and painting of concrete surfaces. The repair program began in December of 2014 and completed in December of 2015.

• Removal and replacement of existing balcony railings with new aluminum railings with glass infill panels

• Grinding, tuckpointing and as necessary brick replacement

• Refurbishment and flashing installation at shelf angles / lintels

• Repair of exterior concrete elements

• Removal of the existing balcony membrane and application of a new pedestrian grade membrane