Work to transform the historic Block and Kuhl building into OSF HealthCare’s new headquarters is coming along on schedule.
Ryan Spain is OSF’s vice president of economic development.
“The recreation of the historic facade is really important. It’s very difficult, as the building is a terra cotta building, and the replacement of those tiles is a very delicate and painstaking work. And then there will be a big effort as we transition into colder weather to get started on the interior work," he said.
Caterpillar donated the building to OSF after it scrapped its plans to build its new world headquarters in Peoria.
The skyscraper was built at the corner of Adams and Fulton in 1905. It was the city’s first steel-frame building. Most recently, it served as the Chase Bank building.
OSF is using Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits to help restore the building. Much of downtown Peoria is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Spain said OSF is still on track to move in by 2021. About 700 employees will work out of the building.
Copyright 2021 WCBU. To see more, visit WCBU. 9(MDIwMjIxMDA0MDE0Mzk4NDIzNjA0OGQ5Yg001))