Cleveland City Hall, a historic landmark at the heart of the city, has been in need of critical roof replacement and masonry restoration for years. The building’s aging infrastructure, compounded by persistent roof leaks and damage to its iconic granite façade, prompted the need for a comprehensive renovation.
Warren Roofing® was selected to replace the roof and restore the granite façade of Cleveland City Hall, which had severe structural damage due to persistent roof leaks, faulty drainage systems, and freeze-thaw cycles. Our partnership with Cleveland Building Restoration (CBR) was integral to addressing both the roofing and masonry issues. The project, spanning two years, is set to be completed by November 2025.
Cleveland City Hall’s roof had reached the end of its life, with multiple leaks and faulty drains causing significant damage to the historic building’s façade. The original roof had been replaced 17 years prior, but the previous contractor’s poor workmanship led to premature failures. The façade, including its intricate granite masonry, was deteriorating rapidly, and water had infiltrated the structure, weakening joints and causing freeze-thaw damage. Additionally, the copper roof had been torn off during a storm, further exacerbating the damage.
Warren Roofing® provided a full roof replacement with a Soprema three-ply modified bitumen roofing system, ensuring long-lasting protection. We also fabricated and installed new copper roofing and flashing in-house, ensuring a perfect match for the building’s historic design. CBR performed extensive masonry work, restoring the façade from the 4th-floor cornice upwards. This included tuckpointing, Dutchman repairs, unit masonry replacement, caulking, and cleaning to preserve the building’s aesthetic integrity.
Key Contributors:
Trades Involved: Roofing, Masonry, Plumbing, Sheet Metal
The Status: Anticipated completion date in November 2025
Success on this project required seamless coordination between multiple trades—working together to address structural repairs, drainage systems, and roofing installation without disrupting daily operations inside City Hall.
To address the challenges of working on a historic building, Warren Roofing® set up scaffolding around the entire perimeter of City Hall, reaching the 4th-floor cornice. This allowed us to replace the cornice roof while also enabling CBR to perform the necessary masonry work. A scaffolding platform was extended to the 5th-floor roof for material hoisting and debris removal. The entire project was carefully coordinated with multiple trades, including masons, plumbers, electricians, and mechanical contractors, to ensure smooth workflow and minimal disruption. Special care was taken in restoring the historic granite façade, which required testing and adaptation due to the age and condition of the stone.
Additionally, the 5th-floor roof had multiple skylights, which were previously removed and covered. We are replacing the concrete deck over seven skylights and restoring the interior ceiling to expose natural light once more. The HVAC units for the elevator engine room were also replaced.
Working at elevations up to 100 feet in a busy downtown environment required a highly controlled safety approach.
Full perimeter scaffolding and stair access systems were installed to provide safe rooftop entry. Fall protection barricades were implemented across all exposed roof areas, and bridging systems allowed safe access to elevated sections.
Debris netting was critical due to high winds, ensuring materials remained secure and pedestrians below were protected.
Additional scaffolding and swing stages were used within lightwells, allowing crews to safely complete work in confined vertical spaces.
Low-VOC adhesives were used throughout the project to reduce environmental impact, while the reflective roof membrane helps improve energy efficiency by reducing heat absorption.
Together, these elements contribute to a more sustainable, long-lasting building envelope.
The roof replacement and façade restoration of Cleveland City Hall are progressing smoothly, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Warren Roofing® and our partners. This extensive project, blending modern roofing technology with the building’s historic charm, will ensure that Cleveland City Hall remains protected and preserved for future generations.
While the project is still ongoing, the team’s dedication to quality and coordination is keeping it on track for completion in November 2025.
