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Fort Leavenworth Building 52

Leavenworth, KS

Built in 1908, Fort Leavenworth's Grant Hall, named after General Ulysses S. Grant, is easily recognizable by the octagonal shaped central tower which is clad with pre-patinated crimped copper and surrounded by four ornamental copper lamps.

Work Included

  • Construction of a new wood dome sub-structure, engineered by Dudley Williams & Associates, P.A., that allowed the dome to be constructed at ground level and then hoisted into place.
  • Cladding of the dome with crimped pre-patinated copper.
  • Custom replication of all four 7.5 foot tall ornate copper lamps which were finished with a patina finish to resemble the pre-patinated copper cladding.
  • Design of the rigging system for hoisting both the old and new domes from the tower.

THE CHALLENGE

After a piece of stone fell from the clock tower’s cornice, Treanor Architects was hired as the historic architecture consultant to evaluate and design repairs for the tower. An evaluation of the structure revealed that the dome, lamps, and masonry needed extensive repair and replacement. The historic copper dome and lamps had been repaired several times, utilizing sealant and auto body repair putties, but tears and signs of fatigue were still prevalent.

The dome was only partly sheathed, leaving copper unsupported, and rot and storm damage was found in the framing and sheathing. Pre-patinated copper was chosen as the replacement to maintain as much of the historic appearance as possible.

THE RENAISSANCE SOLUTION

The original wood and copper structure and ornaments were removed and temporary roofing to tower was provided during fabrication of new dome to protect the structure.

 A new wood octagon shaped 18’ tall and 16’ base dome structure was built to design specifications and 16 and 20-ounce copper cladding to match the appearance of the original structure (crimped and pre-patinated) were fabricated and installed.

Renaissance designed and fabricated four new copper lanterns and repaired the existing dome finial to match the existing aged appearance. The finial and lanterns required new stainless-steel armatures to be fabricated and installed.

Renaissance assisted the general contractor and mason in the layout and design of a new stone sill as well as designing and implementing the successful critical lift plan for the removal and re-installation of the dome and lanterns.

THE RESULTS

Working together with the Architect, the General Contractor, and the Structural Engineer, Renaissance assisted with the reconstruction of the historic Fort Leavenworth clock tower dome and decorative copper elements, readying the landmark to stand for another hundred years.