ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT

Preserving a Statewide Center of Justice
Project Information
Project Location: Springfield, Illinois
Work Completed: Historic preservation program & analysis; Construction documents for interior restoration of historically significant spaces
Area / Cost: 46,020 sf / $8 million
Date Completed: 2014
Client: Illinois Capital Development Board
The Supreme Court Building was constructed in Springfield, Illinois in 1907-08. The Neoclassical building was designed by William Carbys Zimmerman, who was a prominent architect in Chicago and the Supervising Architect for the State of Illinois from 1905-1913. Although it is not currently listed in the National Register of Historic Places, it has been determined eligible for its association with events which have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of American history as well as being architecturally significant. The Illinois Supreme Court has occupied the building since its completion in 1908.
In 2010, Harboe Architects, working with 4240 Architecture, developed a historic preservation programming study for the Illinois Supreme Court Building. The purpose of the study was to determine the scope of preservation work for the Illinois Supreme Court Renovation project. The information gathered in the programming study provided the project team and Capitol Development Board with a more accurate picture of the restoration work and cost which could be compared with the needs and budget for the entire project. The programming study was based on Harboe Architects’ visual observations during a room-by-room walkthrough as well as the historical and building assessment information provided in a previously completed HSR.
Following the programming study, Harboe Architects began construction documents for the restoration of historic interior spaces, including the Supreme and Appellate Court Rooms. Construction was completed in 2014.