Cook County Hospital Redevelopment—Chicago, IL

Terrazzo restoration is no simple job. Meticulous research and attention to the classic details of the original terrazzo flooring preserved the old-world look of the 106-year-old hospital for the unique conversion to a 210-room Hyatt Hotel. The extra attention paid off, bringing new life to a long-vacant historic landmark in Chicago’s Cook County.

Cook County Hospital holds a significant place in Chicago’s history. Considered in the early 1900s as one of the premier teaching hospitals in the world, the building saw many thousands of patients and held a central place in community medicine until its closure in 2002. Designed by famed Chicago architect Paul Gerhardt, the original building has a distinct silhouette in the city and once boasted beautiful terrazzo flooring.

After years of sitting vacant and slowly falling apart, a $140 million development plan between Murphy Development and Walsh Construction is bringing the building back to life. The main building will be repurposed as a high-end hotel, with offices for the new Cook County Hospital and community-focused development also planned.

Terrazzo restoration is no simple job, of course; patching repairs can require deep research, with geologists sometimes called in to match original components used for aggregates. The goal is always to make any patch work disappear into the overall field of the original flooring for a seamless appearance – something NCTA contractors have long specialized in.

Earlier this year, the project was awarded the 2021 Honor Award by the National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association, Inc.

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