Skanska USA Building has moved from demolition to reconstruction on the $104 million modernization of the Milton S. Eisenhower Library at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, marking a major turning point in the multiyear project.
The U.S. arm of the Sweden-based builder and developer announced Jan. 27 it has finished demolition and transitioned into the reconstruction phase on the flagship library at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
Skanska secured the contract in 2024 and began work in July of that year. The project, designed by New York City-based Perkins Eastman, will deliver new finishes along with comprehensive mechanical, electrical and plumbing upgrades. Plans also call for significant building envelope improvements, including restoration of windows and roofing to extend the life of the 1960s-era structure.
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First constructed in 1964, the 183,746-square-foot library has four levels below grade. When construction is complete, the library will feature a two-story reading room, a wishbone staircase and a glass roof to bring light to the building’s interior, according to the release.
The project will also create expanded spaces for study and exhibition, as well as specialized learning labs. It will be the first project to follow Johns Hopkins’ High-Performance and Healthy Buildings Guidelines, achieving LEED Gold certification and position the building for net-zero readiness, Skanska said.
To mark the transition into the rebuilding stage, Skanska and its trade partners hosted a “Slab on Grade” celebration. The event recognized the placement of the first major structural element of the new work and symbolized the start of vertical construction after months of intensive removal and site preparation.
The milestone underscores the complexity of renovating an active academic landmark that sits at the heart of the Homewood campus. Crews have been carefully coordinating logistics to protect surrounding facilities while upgrading a building that includes extensive below-grade space and aging infrastructure.
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“We’re proud of the hard work and dedication of our project team and trade partners on this complex project, and the work to date is a true reflection of their effort to deliver a best-in-class renovation,” said Mark Balling, executive vice president of Skanska USA Building’s Mid-Atlantic region, in the release.
Completion on the job is expected in fall 2026.
University leaders have framed the Eisenhower Library overhaul as a blueprint for future campus development. By aligning with Johns Hopkins’ High-Performance and Healthy Buildings Guidelines, the project aims to reduce energy use, improve indoor environmental quality and prepare the facility for eventual net-zero operations.
The redesign will transform the library from a traditional book repository into a technology-rich academic hub. Expanded exhibition areas, collaborative study zones and purpose-built learning laboratories are intended to support modern research methods and interdisciplinary teaching.
Skanska said the envelope restoration and new building systems will significantly improve resilience and operating efficiency while preserving the architectural identity of the original structure. The addition of the glass roof and reimagined interior
Originally reported by Zachary Phillips, Editor in Construction Dive.
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