Main Street Station
Built as the Main Street Passenger Railroad Station in 1901, Richmond’s Main Street Station building has stood as a fine example of Beaux Arts architecture for more than a century. It served as the transportation hub of Richmond for more than 50 years, and its clock tower has become a local landmark for local citizens and travelers on nearby I-95.
As with many buildings from this time period, decay and the elements had taken their toll on the facility’s masonry surfaces and terra-cotta details. Brickwork needed extensive repointing, freeze and thaw cycles cracked the terra-cotta and allowed water to infiltrate the building, balustrades were structurally unsound and stonework was deteriorating.
The Project Involved:
- Removal of damaged terra-cotta from the building’s cornice
- Replacement of rusted cornice support brackets with stainless steel components
- Replication of missing or damaged terra-cotta elements
- Integration of new terra-cotta components with original materials
- Rebuilding of the cornice and balustrades and bracing and reconstructing a massive, structurally compromised dormer
- Matching and installing new brickwork in place of cracked and damaged masonry surfaces
- Removal of sections of the original Briarhill Sandstone used on the foundation stones and light standards
- Cutting, tooling and installing new stone to match existing materials
Project Portfolio Images
Project Details
- Completion Date: 6/21/2005
- Owner: City of Richmond, Virginia
- Architect: Gensler
- General Contractor: Daniel and Company
- Construction Manager: URS
- Masonry Contractor: Graciano Corporation