The John Sopinka Courthouse project was a historic restoration and repair project, on a high security government building in downtown Hamilton. Key restoration tasks included full masonry repointing, curtain wall renewals, Dutchman repairs, and reinforcing structural steel beams. New installations included a glazed aluminum curtain wall and cement board parapet cladding.
Given the building’s high-security environment, all Phoenix employees underwent security screenings, and street permits were obtained to address limited laydown areas in the busy downtown location. The building remained occupied by government staff throughout the restoration, and the work was performed with minimal disruption to occupants and to meet the standards for conserving historic sites, preserving the building’s architectural heritage.
Phoenix was responsible for the coordination of multiple trades on site throughout the duration of the project, including masons, glazers, carpenters and roofers.
The project included but was not limited to the following:
- Conducted extensive masonry restoration, including complete repointing of all brick and stone surfaces with a historically accurate mortar mix that matched the original colour and texture.
- Performed Dutchman repairs by removing damaged stone sections and seamlessly replacing them with new pieces that blended with the existing structure.
- Applied epoxy repairs to stone pins and other critical elements for added stability, ensuring a durable bond that maintained the building’s appearance.
- Re-dressed stone surfaces as needed and expertly colour-matched repair mortar to restore original aesthetics and fortify the masonry.
- Installed a new glazed aluminum curtain wall system, modernizing the building’s facade with improved insulation and weatherproofing.
- Fortified existing steel beams and fabricated new ones to replace compromised elements, preserving the building’s stability and architectural character.
- Installed new cement board parapet cladding, cut and fitted to match the original design
- Work adhered to the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada
Special Considerations
Working in an occupied, high-security government building presented several unique challenges. The building had to remain operational throughout the restoration, which meant ensuring public safety and minimizing disruptions. With limited laydown areas and parking constraints, material storage and handling also required careful planning.
To address these challenges, Phoenix blocked off all work areas from public access, using safety hoarding and clear signage to protect building occupants. We coordinated multiple trades, including masons, carpenters, and roofers, to work collaboratively within the constraints of the high-security environment.
Limited space for materials was overcome by utilizing off-site storage and scheduling just-in-time deliveries. Noisy and disruptive tasks were carefully scheduled during off-hours, including nights and weekends, to minimize inconvenience.
Additionally, all Phoenix employees needed security clearance, and access to the job site was restricted to those escorted by a security guard. Therefore a Commissionaires security guard escort was hired to give our crews access to the site.
Please note that this project summary offers just a brief look at the work and challenges undertaken; for a more detailed scope of the project, please reach out to us.
