Wyoming State Capitol & Herschler State Office Building

Wyoming State Capitol hero

Wyoming State Capitol & Herschler State Office Building

Preserving History with a Clear View to the Future 

HDR, with CSHQA (Boise, Idaho), was selected as the design and preservation team for the historic Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne. The project encompassed a comprehensive restoration of the exterior stone, windows, metal entablature and dome of the 130-year-old statehouse, as well as extensive renovations to the interior. The project expanded to include major design upgrades to the adjacent Herschler State Office Building.

The Wyoming State Capitol is a National Historic Landmark located in the heart of Cheyenne's historic core. Originally occupied in 1888, the building has experienced the type of deterioration commonly plaguing aged masonry buildings; specifically structural, safety and building system deficiencies. Although a number of renovations have been undertaken in the past, the State Capitol building has never undergone a comprehensive renovation and rehabilitation of the entire building until now.

Key components of the renovation and restoration project includes:

  • Damages repaired to improve functions — bringing the building into compliance with current state and federal codes.
  • Restoration of the building's historical qualities to their original grandeur, giving new life to intricate craftsmanship covered up and painted over during previous renovations.
  • Functional renovations to the adjacent Herschler State Office Building, (built in 1981 in a modernist style). The building received a fully-replaced cladding system with materiality more sensitive to the historic character of the State Capitol Building, and was expanded to accommodate the increased space needs of Wyoming’s state government.
  • Expansion and enhancement of The Connector — the below-grade common space joining the two buildings, with revitalized public meeting and hospitality functions to support both buildings.
Wyoming State Capitol hero
Client
State of Wyoming
Location

Cheyenne, WY
United States

Size
504,000 sf (46,823 m²)
Markets

Awards

Honorable Mention (2022)
Urban Design and Historic Preservation, Design + Honor Awards
American Institute of Architects, Colorado Chapter
National Recognition Award (2022)
Engineering Excellence Awards
American Council of Engineering Companies
Pinnacle Award (2022)
National Stone Institute
Grand Conceptor Award (2022)
Engineering Excellence Awards
American Council of Engineering Companies of Colorado
Project of the Year (2021)
Renovation/Restoration ($75M +)
American Public Works Association
Gold Award (2020)
Reconstruction Awards
Building Design & Construction Magazine
Merit Award (2020)
Renovation/Restoration Category
Engineering-News Record Mountain States
Merit Award (2020)
Specialty Construction Category
Engineering-News Record Mountain States
Project Achievement Award (2020)
Government, Greater Than $50 Million Category
Construction Management Association of America