Beauty Restored

The Fayette County Courthouse is the oldest remaining courthouse from the prodigious body of work of architect J. Riely Gordon.  Constructed in 1891, the design was the first to employ essential elements of the Romanesque Revival style and Gordon’s trademark courtyard atrium in a Texas public building.

By 2001, all building systems were failing and numerous life safety concerns required immediate attention.  Aside from the functional issues addressed in the restoration, the most significant interior change is the reconstruction of the central atrium, that was converted to office space 1949.  The vault infill at the first floor was removed to reveal the original atrium paving; photographs provided documentation of the original fountain and landscaping.  Our work included the design of a skylight to enclose this space that provided a beautiful quality of light and climate control.

Exterior restoration included the installation of a slate roof with copper hip caps and reconstruction of chimneys, flagpoles, and finials that had been removed.  A fire escape was removed from the front façade; enabled by the reconstruction of an original interior staircase.  All building systems were replaced, creating a modern office building within a beautifully restored historic courthouse.