James Whalen
Building
RTM executed a complete exterior renovation of the historic James Whalen Building, a prominent landmark in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Designed as a Chicago-style skyscraper, the project demanded highly specialized interventions to accurately restore and match its unique architectural heritage.
Project Scope
The James Whalen Building project involved a comprehensive exterior renovation to secure the historic envelope. RTM erected extensive, highly coordinated scaffolding to safely access and execute detailed restorations across the multi-story facade.
The scope focused heavily on complex masonry repairs, terra cotta restoration, and the intricate replacement of the building's historical lead flashings to establish long-term weather protection.
Notable Details
Because it was built in the distinct Chicago-style skyscraper form, the James Whalen building presented a unique challenge for our masonry team to perfectly match the original style and materiality.
To achieve this, the detailed work included precision Jahn mortar castings, extensive repairs, and the exact replacement of the building’s deteriorating terra cotta elements. Our metal division worked concurrently to execute critical repairs and replacement of the structure's lead flashings, demanding significant expertise in traditional heritage metalwork.
Final Result
Through the coordinated deployment of our in-house masonry, metal, and carpentry teams across multiple phases, RTM successfully revitalized this iconic Thunder Bay landmark.
The completed renovation secured the building's exterior envelope while faithfully preserving its unique Chicago-style heritage, ensuring the James Whalen Building remains a structurally sound centerpiece of the city's architectural history.
