FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SMG Architects’ Restoration of Historic Oakland B&O Railroad Station Wins AIA West Virginia Honor Award
WHEELING, WV, OCTOBER 25, 2005 – The restoration of the historic 1884 Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Station in Oakland, MD, has received one of two Honor Awards from the West Virginia component of the American Institute of Architects. The restoration was completed by Schamu Machowski Greco Architects (SMG) of Wheeling.
The renovation has been a key ingredient to the Town of Oakland’s revitalization project, which also includes a hiking/biking trail, a town park, a farmer’s market, a community pavilion, and a boat/fishing ramp complex.
Designed in 1884 by famed architectural firm Baldwin and Pennington, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Station is one of the most distinguished, historic depots in the country. Presidents Grant, Harrison, Cleveland, and McKinley, as well as Buffalo Bill Cody, have traveled through the building, and the structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Victor Greco, AIA, managing principal of SMG Architects’ Wheeling office, led the successful restoration. Under Mr. Greco’s leadership, the windows on the first floor were restored, retaining more than 70 percent of the stained glass from the original windows. Clear glass was replaced to meet modern safety codes. Masonry was repaired, and the building’s paint colors were carefully analyzed and returned to the original hues. The roof was replaced using slate mined from the same quarry that produced the original.
The restoration brought the building into compliance with modern fire and safety codes and included full replacement of heating, plumbing and electrical systems. The cost of restoration was $750,000.
The building now serves as the Oakland Visitors’ Center and includes a theater and model train display, highlighting the development of the Town of Oakland.
SMG Architects is a full service 16-person firm with offices in Baltimore, MD and Wheeling, WV. The firm has won numerous design awards. The AIA West Virginia Honor Award is the first of its kind received by the Wheeling office.
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Media Contact:
Victor Greco
304-233-0048
vgreco@smgarch.com
