A landmark restoration project on Chicago's South Side has been recognized for its contribution to preserving the city's architectural and cultural heritage.
Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ was honored with a 2026 Chicago Landmark Award for Preservation Excellence, an annual recognition presented by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks to projects that demonstrate exceptional stewardship of historically significant structures.
The restoration effort brought together a multidisciplinary team that included Berglund Construction, church leadership, preservation advocates, architects and cultural heritage organizations. The project focused on protecting and restoring the historic building while supporting its long-term use as a community and educational resource.
The church occupies a unique place in Chicago history and is widely recognized for its connection to the legacy of Emmett Till and the broader Civil Rights Movement. Preserving the structure required balancing historical authenticity with modern building performance standards, a challenge increasingly common in restoration and adaptive reuse projects nationwide.
Historic restoration has become an increasingly important segment of the construction industry as municipalities, nonprofits and private organizations seek to protect culturally significant properties while extending their useful life.
Projects of this nature often require specialized expertise in masonry restoration, structural rehabilitation, building envelope preservation and code-compliant modernization. Contractors must also coordinate closely with preservation agencies and design professionals to ensure that restoration work aligns with landmark requirements.
Recognition through the Chicago Landmark Awards highlights the value of investing in historic assets that contribute to neighborhood identity, tourism and community development while avoiding the costs and environmental impacts associated with demolition and replacement.
The award reflects broader market interest in preservation-focused construction projects, particularly in major metropolitan areas where historic buildings continue to play an important role in economic development and community revitalization strategies.
For contractors, preservation work represents a specialized market requiring technical expertise, careful planning and craftsmanship that differs from traditional new construction projects. As public and private funding for historic preservation continues to expand, firms with restoration capabilities may find growing opportunities in civic, cultural and institutional sectors.
The recognition of Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ demonstrates the long-term value of investing in historic preservation projects. For owners of landmark properties, restoration can help protect cultural significance, extend building life cycles and strengthen community engagement while maintaining compliance with preservation standards. The project also highlights how collaboration among contractors, architects, nonprofits and preservation organizations can deliver successful outcomes for historically significant structures.
Source: Berglund Construction.
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