THE ROANOKE BUILDING – 11 SOUTH LASALLE STREET

The Prime Group engaged Carlson to complete an asbestos demolition survey for the historic Roanoke Building in anticipation of a major renovation converting the site building to hotel space for Marriott International, Inc.  This landmark building, which is on the National Register of Historic Buildings, is located in a mixed use area of the Chicago Loop, has 35 floors of commercial space along with a basement and sub-basement.  Because the building was initially constructed in 1915 and then expanded twice in the 1920s, the potential for asbestos containing building materials (ACBM) was significant.  Our client’s schedule constraints necessitated the survey be conducted around-the-clock with multiple crews of Carlson personnel staffing the project on a 24/7 basis and the laboratory providing 24-hour turnaround time on analytical results.

The demolition survey was designed to provide information regarding the presence of ACBM in accordance with National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants and the, Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) of 1986.  Consistent with AHERA protocol, Carlson collected three types of ACBM defined in AHERA: Thermal System Insulation such as pipe and boiler insulation, Surfacing Material such as acoustical plaster on ceilings and fireproofing materials on structural members, and Miscellaneous Material such as floor tiles, mastics, and other building materials.  Analysis of the bulk samples by our contract laboratory using Polarized Light Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy confirmed the presence of ACBM which was abated during building renovations.