The University of Maine Orono initiated a redevelopment project to transform the iconic buildings, Coburn and Holmes, on campus into a boutique hotel with 95 rooms and a bistro cafe.The two buildings at the heart of the University were originally built in the late 1800s for student housing, but have not been operational for the last 15 years. Since the halls were designated as a historic district by the National Register of Historic Places, the renovation had to be done with precision. PBCE was tasked with the important job of preserving some of the Romanesque architectural styles of the time as well as carefully cataloging the buildings’ materials as part of the client’s Protect in Place request, which allowed for eligibility regarding the historical tax credits.

PBCE’s team of experienced and skilled craftsmen that specialize in disabling salvage, successfully preserved select portions of the buildings during the de-construction process.