Historic Preservation contracting requires a unique approach.
It requires patience to follow a purposeful process, humility to put investigation before assumption, and respect for the clients project goals while respecting the historic integrity of the space. At The Christman Company, Historic Preservation is approached with intention—bringing the resources of a national full-service construction company to a market that demands humility, care, and precision through our Historic Preservation Group (HPG).
Christman has spent more than three decades fostering a focused, specialized Market that recognizes historic resources as unique—and deserving of a focused mindset and a trained staff.
Christman’s involvement in historic preservation began over 30 years ago, rooted in an understanding that preservation work requires dedicated expertise and conscious cultivation of skills. In 1992, the Historic Preservation Group was formally established to support and pursue projects where cultural significance, hidden & unknown existing conditions, and highly specialized means and methods are central considerations.
The group operates nationally, supported by Christman’s broader estimating, planning, safety, and quality services—allowing preservation teams to focus on careful evaluation, thoughtful sequencing, and long-term solutions that fit the client’s mission.
Historic Preservation relies heavily on experience—both technical and situational. Christman’s preservation professionals bring firsthand knowledge of traditional materials, investigative methodologies, and preservation-sensitive construction techniques without losing focus of the goal to deliver a project safely, on-time and on budget.
Equally important to experience are the depth and breadth of Christman’s internal services available to shore up the process. Access to robust preconstruction planning and scheduling, disciplined/proven cost estimating, and a strategic procurement review process helps each team prepare for inevitable challenges, plan for long lead times, and respond quickly as conditions are strategically uncovered. And Christman employs not just one preservation expert, but a team of over 60 project engineers, project managers, and superintendents, 20% of whom hold degrees in historic preservation and all of whom are trained within the Historic Preservation Group curriculum.
This balance allows projects to move forward steadily, without forcing decisions without input from all necessary team members.
Christman places strong emphasis on learning, mentorship, and knowledge sharing within its preservation practice. Through Christman University, team members participate in a 40-hour historic preservation curriculum led by senior preservation leaders and industry professionals. In addition to Christman University, the HPG hosts a monthly Roundtable where industry leaders are invited to present on a preservation topic, project profile, or unique process.
Beyond formal training, the company encourages continued education through certifications, advanced degrees, workshops, and peer collaboration. The intent is to foster teams that are not only skilled, but also curious and well-read, approaching each project with respect and a willingness to learn.
Christman’s preservation experience includes work at nationally significant landmarks and community-focused historic buildings alike. Projects such as George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the U.S. Capitol, and Michigan Central Station reflect the range and complexity of work undertaken by the Historic Preservation Group as well as smaller scale libraries, schools and historic house museums.
Across all projects, the focus remains consistent: leveraging our expertise in minimizing assumptions, managing risk responsibly, coordinating specialized trades with care, and delivering work that aligns with preservation standards and client expectations.
Christman measures success by how well a project supports an owner’s vision, respects regulatory frameworks such as the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and preserves the character that gives a place of meaning.
Strong partnerships—with owners, designers, tradespeople, and preservation of stakeholders—are essential. Christman’s role is to listen, coordinate, and guide projects forward with clarity and transparency. Our intentional focus on preservation skills helps our teammates achieve smoother more efficient projects with fewer surprises – who doesn’t need a partner like that?