PROJECT.

Terminal Tower

Retrofitting a Beaux Arts icon

The retrofit of this iconic Cleveland landmark required careful balancing of historic character and green improvements.

Problem

The retrofit of Terminal Tower, a 52-story, 577,000 square foot Beaux-Arts building in downtown Cleveland, required close collaboration with the project team to identify and implement a well-tuned package of improvements. The project targeted compliance with the Cleveland Green tax abatement program and aimed to earn historic tax credits. This required a careful balance between maintaining the building’s historic character while prioritizing high-impact interventions to achieve the requisite green improvements.

Solution

Work closely with the design team.

A key to success on large, complex projects like this is to provide the design team with the right information at the right time. An early compliance review helped set the project on track, and targeted engagement with multiple consultants ensured that strategies were integrated into the design and documentation.

Pick the low-hanging fruit.

Careful analysis of the relevant green building standard, combined with early energy and water analysis, helped to identify the optimal combination of measures to achieve project goals, including added interior insulation, upgraded mechanical and domestic hot water systems, and high-efficiency water fixtures.

Provide turnkey service.

Sol provided construction-phase testing and building, including coordination with the construction team to assemble documentation and troubleshoot any issues arising from testing. This allowed us to deliver prompt compliance information to the city and ensured timely project close-out.

The Impact


28%
reduction in energy use

31%
reduction in water use

50%
diversion of construction waste

94
Walk Score