Terminal Tower

Preserving Cleveland’s Iconic Terminal Tower

Completed in 1930, Terminal Tower stands 708 feet tall and features 52 floors. Originally developed as part of the Cleveland Union Terminal complex, the building remains a defining feature of the city’s skyline.

After decades of exposure to severe weather conditions, portions of the original terra cotta façade began deteriorating. Water infiltration and corrosion of supporting steel contributed to structural problems, including cracking and displacement of decorative architectural elements.

The restoration required a solution that would reproduce the building’s historic details without placing the same weight demands on its supporting structure.

Custom architectural fiberglass components offered an effective alternative to traditional terra cotta replacement.

Custom Fiberglass Cornice Restoration

One of AFI’s major contributions to the Terminal Tower restoration involved manufacturing hundreds of linear feet of specialized fiberglass cornice to replace deteriorated terra cotta.

Custom FRP cornice elements were produced for multiple levels of the building, including the upper floors and an extensive cornice at the 15th-floor level measuring approximately 10 feet in height.

These architectural fiberglass cornices were designed to reproduce the original decorative profiles while offering the advantages of lightweight composite construction.

Fiberglass reinforced polymer allows manufacturers to recreate intricate architectural shapes and details using custom molds. This capability makes FRP particularly suitable for historic restoration projects where maintaining the original appearance of a building is essential.

AFI’s custom fiberglass cornice manufacturing helped make it possible to reproduce historic decorative elements without relying on heavy replacement terra cotta.

Recreating 32 Monumental Fiberglass Corinthian Columns

Another significant element of the project involved the reproduction of 32 fiberglass Corinthian columns, each measuring approximately 40 inches in diameter and 30 feet in height.

Located on the upper portions of Terminal Tower, these impressive architectural columns required careful attention to their original proportions, ornamental capitals, and surface appearance.

AFI manufactured custom FRP column components designed to replicate the historic terra cotta features.

Rather than reproducing every original terra cotta piece individually, the fiberglass manufacturing process allowed numerous details to be combined into larger sections.

This approach reduced the number of separate architectural components and helped simplify handling and installation at considerable heights.

The resulting fiberglass columns preserved the distinctive classical appearance of the original design while significantly reducing the weight of the replacement materials.

Why Fiberglass Was Selected for Historic Restoration

The Terminal Tower restoration illustrates several important advantages of using architectural fiberglass for historic building preservation.

Lightweight Fiberglass Components

Fiberglass reinforced polymer offers a high strength-to-weight ratio compared with many traditional architectural materials.

The reduced weight of the custom fiberglass cornices and columns helped address the limitations associated with installing heavy replacement materials on the upper floors of a historic skyscraper.

Accurate Architectural Reproduction

Custom molds allow architectural fiberglass manufacturers to replicate elaborate decorative elements, classical profiles, and intricate historic details.

This flexibility helped AFI reproduce the original appearance of Terminal Tower’s cornices and Corinthian columns.

Simplified Transportation and Installation

The relatively lightweight FRP components could be transported through the building using freight elevators, reducing the need for the heavy lifting equipment that traditional terra cotta replacements might otherwise require.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Properly specified and manufactured exterior fiberglass components offer resistance to moisture and corrosion, making them suitable for demanding architectural applications.

Their durability and design flexibility make FRP an attractive material for historic restoration and new construction.

AFI’s Expertise in Architectural Fiberglass Restoration

The Terminal Tower project demonstrates AFI’s ability to manufacture large, complex architectural fiberglass components for demanding commercial restoration applications.

From custom fiberglass cornices and decorative moldings to monumental FRP columns, AFI provides fabrication solutions for architects, contractors, developers, and historic preservation specialists.

Our manufacturing capabilities support the reproduction of traditional architectural details in a lightweight composite material while maintaining the visual character of the original design.

The Terminal Tower restoration remains a notable example of how modern fiberglass manufacturing can contribute to the preservation of historic American architecture.

Custom Fiberglass Cornice and Column Manufacturing

Architectural Fiberglass, Inc. manufactures custom architectural FRP products for historic restoration, reconstruction, and new commercial construction.

Our product capabilities include fiberglass cornices, custom columns, column covers, decorative moldings, balustrades, and specialty architectural components.

Whether your project involves replacing deteriorated terra cotta, recreating historic decorative features, or designing custom architectural elements for a new building, AFI can provide manufacturing solutions tailored to your project’s requirements.

Contact Architectural Fiberglass, Inc. to discuss your custom fiberglass cornice, architectural column, or historic restoration project and request a quote.