Times of Change
Restoring the Marquette Building
Times of Change
Restoring the Marquette Building
About the image
Restoring the Cornice.
In 2001, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation took action to further restore this architectural treasure. After assuming ownership of the building, the Foundation had a choice: sell or save. MacArthur’s leadership viewed it as their responsibility to maintain this asset for their hometown and for the future. They assembled a team to study the building and determine what renovations were feasible with a dedication to authenticity and longevity.
They discovered many opportunities to restore the building accurately—the most challenging of which was the cornice. Undeterred, MacArthur launched a multiyear restoration program that included cleaning the terra cotta, replacing missing pieces, and restoring all the windows.
© John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation