The more than 100-year-old Belden-Stratford building is a landmark on Chicago’s Lincoln Park West skyline. The 16-story historic structure, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, reflects a classical architectural style that was extremely popular in early 20th-century urban construction.
 

When the Belden-Stratford was recently transformed from a luxury hotel into a high-end apartment building, the renovation demanded exceptional care to uncover and restore traditional details that defined its character. There were 1,500 architectural-grade fenestration products from Graham Architectural Products, installed by trusted partner Jensen Window Corporation, played a central role in restoring the building to its former glory.
 

“Replacing the windows made the biggest transformation for the entire building on the exterior,” said historic preservation architect Alex Krikhaar, principal at Vinci Hamp Architects.
 

Different Floors, Different Fenestration Challenges

The Belden-Stratford’s facade presented four distinct design zones, each requiring a tailored solution:

1. Ground Floor: Six entrances were restored to their original configurations, with Graham products replicating the profiles of the original steel windows.
    
2. Levels 2 and 3: Windows were designed to match the original wood windows, including operable curved casement windows with decorative brickmolds and mullions. Some openings measured up to 8 feet wide and more than 18 feet tall. Certain windows spanned both levels, while others were separated by terra-cotta spandrel panels.
    
3. Levels 15 and 16: These floors featured stately, monumental openings divided by terra-cotta spandrels. The 15th floor required double-hung windows set within ornate surrounds, while the 16th floor called for large, curved windows with profiles matching those below.
    
4. The Shaft: The largest phase of the project involved more than 1,200 openings. Each required custom panning profiles designed to replicate the appearance of the original wood windows.