HKS office revitalizes 120-year-old Ohio factory

A gigantic 120-year-old building designed by architect Daniel Burnham has been restored by the firm HKS to house a medical insurance company. Located in the city of Toledo, Ohio, the complex, like many buildings and factories in the area surrounding the large lakes, was abandoned due to the high cost of production during the second half of the 20th century.

Because of this phenomenon, these towns have become known as the “ rust belt .” The goal of the restoration is to revive the local economy by bringing ProMedica and all its employees to the declining shores of the lake.

The architects strove to retain as many of the buildings' original features as possible, such as brick walls and internal structures, in order to honor Burnham's vision, his use of massing and light.