The refurbishment of a historic 1792’s building
Export has always been an integral part of George Roberts Ltd as a leading scaffolding supplier, and the renovation of the historic New Jersey Executive State House, built in 1792, was a special project. Restoring and renovating historic buildings is a large undertaking, but one that George Roberts Ltd is well versed in and passionate about.
George Roberts Ltd recently completed a major scaffolding project for the New Jersey Executive State House. Built in 1792, this building is the third-oldest statehouse in America. It holds deep historical value, as it is the very place where Abraham Lincoln addressed legislators at the start of the Civil War. After decades of temporary repairs, the State of New Jersey launched a full restoration to save the structure from further decay.
The Scale of the Project
The renovation required a massive amount of equipment to cover the entire exterior. Our team shipped 18 containers of materials to the United States to provide 90,000 square feet of scaffolding. This was a significant logistical task that required perfect timing and precise planning. Because the building has a complex three-story shape, the scaffolding had to curve around bay windows, pillars, and delicate artwork.
Overcoming Design Hurdles
Standard “system” scaffolding often requires special parts to fit around odd shapes. To solve this, we used a “tube and fitting” method. This traditional approach allowed our team to be creative on-site and adapt to the building’s many twists and turns. The biggest challenge was that we could not touch the historic walls. We built a large support structure called a buttress behind the main scaffold. This kept the entire setup stable and free-standing without the need to drill holes into the 18th-century masonry.
Navigating International Logistics
Shipping large amounts of lumber and steel to the USA involves strict rules. We had to ensure every timber board was heat-treated and stamped to meet American import laws. If the paperwork or commodity codes were even slightly wrong, the goods could have been held at the port or hit with massive fines. Our experience with international shipping ensured that every container was packed for safety and cleared customs without any delays.
A Successful Partnership
The project was a success because of careful planning and a deep respect for the building’s history. By using adaptable materials and a free-standing design, we protected the landmark while giving workers the access they needed. Project Manager Dan Driscoll noted that our experience with US shipping and large-scale logistics made a complex international task much easier to manage.
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