Engineering News-Record magazine (ENR), one of the nation’s leading publications covering the construction industry has recognized the Vantage State Building with its 2017 “Award of Merit” in the category of Renovation/Restoration projects. The award was accepted by Lincoln Builders at ENR’s annual “best of class” celebration gala recently in Houston, TX. The Vantage Building renovation, located in downtown Monroe, Louisiana, has sparked a major resurgence in business activity downtown. Vantage HealthPlan, with this project and several others, is leading the way in the revitalization of Monroe’s downtown area. The $23.08-million restoration and retrofit of the 1925 Virginia Hotel into the new Vantage State Building returned the building to its original grandeur while incorporating modern amenities.
Factors that played a role in the judging included collaboration and teamwork as well as project challenges and solutions. Also considered were safety records, innovative design and construction solutions, contribution to the construction industry and community, as well as design quality and construction craftsmanship.
Most of the building’s historic elements had been completely covered during a 1960s renovation, and significant damage was done to its architectural features. No building plans for the original structure existed, so the owner, architect and contractor worked as both artists and contractors to restore the building’s aesthetic features. Master plasterers from New Orleans meticulously restored interior ornamental molding, and multiple layers of flooring were removed in the ballrooms to uncover and restore the original maple floor.
Vantage Health Plan, Inc. is a Monroe-based Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) formed by physicians who wanted to improve healthcare and help lower healthcare cost. Vantage’s membership has grown steadily for over 20 years, now providing health insurance coverage for more than 52,000 members statewide and contracting with over 15,000 Louisiana healthcare providers. Vantage prides itself in offering friendly, excellent customer service and quality healthcare products. For more information, please visit www.VantageHealthPlan.com or Facebook at www.facebook.com/VantageHealthPlan.
A 55-year old commercial general contractor, construction manager and design-builder, Lincoln Builders, Inc. is based in Ruston, La. with offices in Fort Worth, Texas and Baton Rouge, La. Lincoln Builders, Inc. has been repeatedly been ranked among the top 400 contractors nationwide and top 100 contractors in the Texas/Louisiana region by ENR Magazine.
Owner: Vantage Health Plan Inc.
Lead Design Firm: Michael L. Walpole Architects LLC
General Contractor: Lincoln Builders of Ruston Inc.
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