Provided
Each year the Carolinas Association of General Contractors (C-AGC), a construction trade association made up of contractors and construction-related firms, bestows their coveted Pinnacle Award to a handful of the best construction projects in North and South Carolina. Pinnacle entries are judged on unique aspects and challenges; special values; project management; budget and schedule; and safety performance. This year, Trident Construction was awarded the “Building with the Best” for 71 Wentworth Street, for the collaborative renovation of the iconic Freemasons building at the corner of Wentworth and King Streets in historic downtown Charleston.
71 Wentworth, designed by 19th-century architect John Henry Devereux and built in 1872 by The Freemasons of South Carolina, was a Charleston centerpiece for 100 years before falling into near disrepair. In 2017, East West Partners began a nearly seven-year effort to restore the building to its former splendor, bringing along Kevan Hoertdoerfer Architects and long-time partner Trident Construction. The 17-million-dollar project took 2 ½ years, culminating in June of 2024.
The team’s successful partnership was characterized by effective collaboration and communication at every step of the project which presented a unique set of challenges. One of the project's most impressive feats was the restoration of the building's historical features. For example, all of the interior brick was preserved and 100% repointed and the original heart pine wood was disassembled, restored and then repurposed in the building. Additionally, the 41, 17x7 foot exterior Tudor Gothic-style windows were completely remade. Due to the age of the building, each window opening varied in size and had to be laser-measured for fabricating. Each custom-made window is comprised of five different pieces, some of which weigh close to 300 pounds and had to be manually installed.
Other unique challenges included structural damage from water, termites, and nonuse. Trident Construction worked continuously with the owner and architect to address unforeseen issues and adhere to the guidelines set by the City of Charleston’s Board of Architectural Review and The Preservation Society of Charleston.
The 150-year-old Masonic Lodge now operates as a collection of 12 luxury residences along with a storefront on the bottom floor. And because of the meticulous restoration, the building is also the recipient of the Preservation Society of Charleston’s Carolopolis Award for excellence in renovation.
