3 minute read
Preserving Delaware’s History
Preserving Delaware’s History
EDiS Interiors/Service Division Does It All
Joe Pedicone began EDiS Company’s Interiors/Service Division more than 30 years ago to offer clients services ranging from fixing a door lock to full fit-outs of interior spaces. Whether it’s a small maintenance job or interior and exterior renovations, nothing is too complex for the Service team to handle. Over this 30-year span, historical preservation has been of particular interest to Joe and his team. When given the opportunity to restore two buildings only a few blocks from one another, EDiS knew it could provide the kind of precise work necessary to upgrade Delaware’s history to last for the future while preserving its past.
Rendering courtesy of BSA+A
Historical images courtesy of BSA+A
The Kresge Building
801 N. Market St. is home to the Kresge Building, a historically registered landmark located in the heart of Wilmington’s historic Commercial District. In the 1980’s, Rite Aid purchased the property and occupied the building until 2019. Working with the City of Wilmington, the Services team is installing an entirely new storefront system complete with lighting, masonry repairs, stucco and tilework, updated windows, and a new paint job. These improvements will breathe new life into the Kresge Building, a historic gem that is one of many restored properties to follow in Wilmington.
Market Street North from 5th Street, 1927. The Library Annex Building is the white building on the far left.
Historical image courtesy of Mark B. Thompson Associates LLC
Library Annex Building (white building on the far right), 1956.
Historical image courtesy of Mark B. Thompson Associates LLC
Front elevation removals.
Drawing courtesy of Mark B. Thompson Associates LLC
Existing conditions with shoring.
Photo courtesy of Mark B. Thompson Associates LLC
Delaware Historical Society’s Annex Façade
EDiS Company has worked closely with Delaware Historical Society (DHS) on multiple historic restoration and repair projects. Most recently restoring limestone on their library and archives on North Market Street, the team will now work to revitalize the DHS Annex façade directly adjacent to it. The facade has weakened since its construction in the 1920’s and is showing signs of crumbling structural support. The project will include removal of the first, second, and third floors of the façade. After salvaging the historic millwork and sashes, the facades will rebuilt and restored according to the exact historical architectural and structural specifications. This process even includes using the same mortar mixture, windows, paint, and brick used in the original construction of the building so many years ago.
Joe Pedicone, Senior Superintendent, Manager of Interiors/Service
Installed personal barrier for the EDiS reception desk.
Joe Pedicone's barrier design.
Barriers Bring Success
As Delaware slowly recovers and businesses begin to re-open their doors, organizations need to ensure that their workplaces are CDC (Center for Disease Control) compliant. Planning for this eventuality, Joe Pedicone’s solution was to manufacture and install personal barriers that organizations could utilize to conduct business while protecting those around them. He devised three different types of clear barriers: laminated, plexi, or tempered glass. What makes Joe’s barrier design particularly effective is the ability to have them custom-tailored to any space. The barriers can be different sizes and, depending on the installation area, different shapes. They also have the flexibility of being a full barrier or one with cutouts to pass materials through.
