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One of the finer lines to navigate in historic property restoration is renewing a building’s structural integrity without altering its exterior appearance or compromising its historical character. This challenge becomes even greater when repairing commercial or residential properties that must remain open during the restoration process.
That was exactly the case with our restoration of the historic Hillsdale County Courthouse in Hillsdale, Michigan. After 125 years of service, the courthouse is a community landmark and a defining feature of the downtown neighborhood.
What began as a relatively routine roof restoration to address persistent leaks evolved into a large-scale exterior overhaul that required a careful balance of modern technology and old-world craftsmanship to breathe new life into this beloved historic building.
The original scope of the restoration focused on replacing the barrel-style clay roof tiles, but after a site visit we determined that additional exterior work was needed to properly preserve the building. The goal of this project — as with any Renaissance restoration project — was to preserve the appearance of the exterior while improving the function and longevity of the courthouse in compliance with new modern building codes and requirements.
Historic roofing is connected to many other components of a commercial or residential property, and the condition of the roof system often reveals other potential structural issues. In this case, the courthouse’s copper gutter system was also in a severe state of disrepair, along with the wood framing beneath the original clay roof tiles. In most projects, repairing or replacing wood framing requires restoration of the related metalwork, and that was certainly true for the Hillsdale courthouse.
The clocktower and copper domes also required architectural sheet metal fabrication and installation, which, combined with the roof work, created a significant challenge for the community in maintaining regular courthouse operations during construction.
Our restoration team has decades of experience managing this type of comprehensive historic restoration without disrupting day-to-day business activities, and our award-winning safety program plays a key role in ensuring a smooth, streamlined process.
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Aside from our custom fabrication of maintenance-free copper for the property’s gutter systems and signature domes, one aspect I’m most proud of in this restoration is how the Renaissance team preserved the original charm and majesty of the structure while fortifying it for another 100 years of community service. It’s something our customers can count on when our team completes a restoration project — the craftsmanship and care our technicians bring to every job.
A job well done is its own reward, but it never hurts when good work is recognized by others. Our work on the Hillsdale County Courthouse was recently profiled in Commercial Construction & Renovation Magazine, and the project was also awarded a 2025 North American Copper in Architecture Award. This prestigious award honors our outstanding copper work and highlights the importance of exceptional copper craftsmanship in restoring historic properties.
While there were certainly unique or special aspects to the Hillsdale County Courthouse restoration, our approach to the work was no different than any other project. Whether it’s a residential property or commercial building, our Magellan Building Assessment and Monarch Elite Process ensure a smooth, streamlined, and error-free restoration process.
We’re ready to help you preserve your historic property for generations to come. Schedule your property inspection today.