Internal Revenue Service Building Exterior Lighting Restoration Complete

Internal Revenue Service Headquarters stands as one of the earliest U.S. Government buildings of monumental scope located in Washington, DC erected from 1928 to 1936.

This majestic French Renaissance-style structure designed by Louis A. Simon, was established in order to consolidate all IRS functions to a single location. Being the most elaborate facility located within the Federal Triangle complex, The IRS Building represented the largest public building project to that point in American history.

Grand Light was given the task of restoring the exterior lanterns that are located on the IRS Headquarters. Each lantern was media blasted to remove all of the existing finish and a beautiful bronze powder coat finish was applied. All mechanical defects and missing parts were replicated to match the existing components and a new lamp configuration and polycarbonate lens were installed. All electrical components were replaced and rewired in accordance to UL standards.

Shown above is a lantern in its original location apart of the Pennsylvania Avenue Historical Site. As a staple in the heart of our nation’s capital, these lanterns are espied by millions every year. Every lantern was carefully removed and packed for safe transportation to begin the restoration process under Grand Light’s diligent care.

Shown above are the exterior lanterns in the condition they were received by Grand Light. The fixtures original finish has deteriorated and lead to an unsightly finish.

Shown above is a Grand Light artisan dismantling and removing the aged components of a lantern. This is done in order to prep the lantern for the installation of all new parts.

Shown above are the IRS exterior lanterns after the removal of the original paint. The surface of the lanterns were media blasted to remove all aged paint and foreign material in preparation for an application of a statuary bronze patina.

Shown above is the original bottom assembly components that were replicated by Grand Light artisans. The entire bottom assembly consisted of three components, the body tube, custom spinning, and the bottom cap, which artisans fabricated custom replications for and replaced those missing parts with. All replacement parts and components received an application of bronze powder coat to color match the rest of the fixture’s new finish.

Shown above are the exterior lanterns after an application of an elegant statuary bronze patina. Each lantern is then rewired to comply with current UL standards.

Shown above is the installation of new lens brackets that are used to secure the polycarbonate panels. The original screws which held the old brackets and glass in place were severely damaged and required Grand Light artisans to drill them out before being re-tapped.

Shown above is an original lens comparable to the replacement polycarbonate Pebble sheet. Prior to restoration, the original lens retained unsightly surface residue along with cracks and damages. All lenses were replaced with translucent, UV stabilized, polycarbonate lens with a pebble texture on one side to closely match the original panels.

Shown above are lens being installed on each lantern. Each lens is carefully secured to each glass bracket by a Grand Light artisan before being prepped for delivery.

Shown above are the IRS exterior lanterns post refinish and prepped for delivery back to the IRS Headquarters in Washington, DC. The lanterns are carefully installed on a unique wood back mount that also acts as one side of its shipping container. This is done to ensure that the lanterns are securely suspended above ground and avoid risk of damaging its restored finish and components.

Shown above is the side view of a restored IRS exterior lantern.

Shown above is the direct view of a restored IRS exterior lantern.

Shown above are the restored lanterns after being reinstalled at the IRS Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Grand Light is proud to have been able to revitalize these exterior lanterns for the IRS, restoring a piece of a milestone within our nations rich history.

More information regarding this project can be viewed online by clicking the link for Internal Revenue Service Building Exterior Lighting Restoration.

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Awards and Accolades

Massachusetts Historical Commission Preservation Award 2019 - Massachusetts State House Senate Chamber

Boston Preservation Alliance Award Winner 2019 - Massachusetts State House Senate Chamber

The New Haven Preservation Trust Landmark Plaque 2019 - Yale University Divinity School

ENR New England Award of Merit for Renovation/Restoration 2018 - Harvard University Winthrop House

Cambridge Historical Commission Preservation Award 2018 - Harvard University Winthrop House

Historic Hotels of America Award of Excellence 2017 - Marriott Syracuse Downtown

Preservation League of NYS Excellence in Historic Preservation Award 2017 - Marriott Syracuse Downtown

Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc Excellence in Construction Award of Merit Restoration/Renovation 2017 - New Haven Courthouse

Connecticut Trust For Historic Preservation Connecticut Preservation Merit Award 2017 - New Haven Courthouse

AIA West Virginia Honor Award Excellence in Preservation 2017 - Charles Washington Hall

Connecticut Trust For Historic Preservation Connecticut Preservation Merit Award 2017 - Yale Center for British Art

American Architecture Restoration/Renovation Awards 2017 - Massachusetts Institute of Technology Kresge Auditorium & Chapel

Cambridge Historical Commission Preservation Award 2016 - Massachusetts Institute of Technology Kresge Auditorium & Chapel

AIA New England Regional Council - Honor Award Historic Preservation + Adaptive Reuse 2016 - Massachusetts Institute of Technology Kresge Auditorium & Chapel

Hartford Preservation Alliance Preservation Award 2016 - Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

Connecticut Trust For Historic Preservation Connecticut Preservation Merit Award 2016 - Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

Cambridge Historical Commission Preservation Award 2016 - Harvard University Dunster House

AIA Architecture Honor Award 2013 - Yale University Morse & Stiles Colleges

The New Haven Preservation Trust Landmark Plaque For Extraordinary Devotion To Preservation - Yale University Morse & Stiles Colleges

AIA New Hampshire Excellence In Architecture Design Merit Award 2013 - Phillips Exeter Academy Phillips Hall

Connecticut Building Congress Project Team Awards First Place For Major Renovation/Expansion 2010 - Yale University Calhoun College

New Hampshire Preservation Alliance Preservation Achievement Award 2010 - Orford Congregational Church

AIA Connecticut Design Award 2003 - Yale University Divinity School

Faith & Form/IFRAA International Awards Program for Religious Art & Architecture Restoration Honor Award 2003 - Yale University Divinity Hall

AIA Connecticut Design Award 2002 - Yale University Branford College

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