O’Rourke Building, Adaptive Reuse

Moline, IL

As the Historic Preservation Architect, AltusWorks worked in collaboration with a multidisciplinary design team led by Legat Architects on the rehabilitation of the historic O’Rourke Building, a contributing structure to the Downtown Commercial Historic District. The rehabilitation transformed the abandoned and fire damaged warehouse into a LEED silver certified Multi-Modal Rail Station and private hotel. Funded through TIGER grants and seeking Historic Tax Credits, Section 106 of the National Preservation Act of 1966 applied. AltusWorks developed a Historic Structure Report that identified character defining features, quantified building conditions requiring repair, and recommended design considerations impacting the historic fabric in compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The report guided overall design decisions for the adaptation of the first floor for rail services and the upper floors as hotel rooms. Additionally, AltusWorks provided design and technical expertise for the restoration of the historic masonry, limestone and concrete elements. Facilitated discussion with the State Historic Preservation Officer and collaborated with the tax credit consultant on translation of the design to the tax credit application.