Selective Demolition and Preserving History

R. Baker & Son has been involved with a number of high-profile New York City landmark projects, and whenever we work on historic buildings, there are multiple layers of challenges. Most old structures have undergone numerous renovations, repairs, and other projects over many years, so you never know what you’re in for when a project begins. A recent project had numerous surprises in store. 

When demolition began, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work was exposed that required upgrading, such as knob-and-tube wiring from the early 20th century. Some of the wiring was run in old gas lines piped to gas lighting fixtures. There were also corroded and leaking galvanized water lines that needed to be replaced with copper or PVC.  Shoddy, patch-up water leak repairs over the many years needed to be removed and repaired properly.  There were also issues with the building settling, so action needed to be taken to bring the structure back to plumb and level.  Asbestos found on old boiler and steam pipe fittings required removal and remediation.

The most interesting part of the project was identifying, preserving, and restoring irreplaceable historic objects wherever possible. Old gas chandeliers, sconces, and light fixtures, some Tiffany, were removed for reconditioning, electrical wiring, and reinstallation. Stained glass windows were reconditioned, and a dumbwaiter that had not worked in many years was repaired and made operational. Even copper gutters and leaders were restored where possible, as well as the building’s original brass pipe-and-horn intercom system.  Intricate woodwork in the building required careful preservation. Original ornamental woodwork and bannisters were reconditioned, most of it in-place, and oak paneling was sealed off and protected. A humidifier was brought in to keep the wood at the proper humidity during demolition and renovation. Oak, cherry, and walnut doors and brass hardware was sent out for reconditioning. Old black-and-white photographs were used to restore interior spaces and the exterior to the original design wherever possible. The end result was a beautifully-restored NYC building.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

Demolition, wrecking and razing, rigging, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business / SDVOSB, salvage, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and machinery moving, building demolition, riggers, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, interior demolition, investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services
1 Globe Street
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: 732-222-3553
Fax: 732-450-0311
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Demolition.Rigging