The Telephone Building

F.W. Woolworth Co.

Restoration Updates

January 30, 2025 • F.W. Woolworth Co.

Restoring the Backbone: Structural Steel Columns Reinforced at Woolworth

Welder in orange shirt crouching in an excavated subfloor area beneath the Woolworth Building, reinforcing a steel column with bright welding arc visible, surrounded by soil, pipes, and concrete work. — A welder reinforces a historic steel column in the subfloor of the Woolworth building, part of a major foundation restoration phase.

Thirty-two original structural steel columns were excavated, assessed and repaired—reforming the core strength of the Woolworth building from the ground up.

Restoration crews uncovered and restored these original steel columns at the heart of the Woolworth building. Each was excavated from decades of concrete encasement, evaluated by structural engineers and reinforced where needed.

Repairs included welding in new steel plates and repouring the surrounding floor slab using 70 cubic yards of concrete. These foundational upgrades enhance the long-term stability of the historic structure.

Woolworth — A restoration crew member welds a steel column as part of the reinforcement process at the Woolworth building.

Woolworth — A restored structural steel column at the Woolworth building, fully excavated from its concrete encasement.

The restored columns now serve both a functional and symbolic role—supporting the building’s future while honoring its past. Learn more about the full restoration plan for the F.W. Woolworth Co. building.

MORE BLOGS ON F.W. WOOLWORTH CO.

August 4, 2025 • F.W. Woolworth Co.

The East and West Stairwell Rebuild Is Complete at the Woolworth Building

July 31, 2025 • F.W. Woolworth Co.

Sign Placement Preparation Is Underway at the Woolworth Building

July 26, 2025 • F.W. Woolworth Co.

Storefront Soffits are Installed at the Woolworth Building

July 22, 2025 • F.W. Woolworth Co.

Bond Beams Installed at the South Parapet of the F.W. Woolworth Co. Building

July 20, 2025 • F.W. Woolworth Co.

A New Steel Framework Secured for the Woolworth Building’s Roof Reinforcement

July 14, 2025 • F.W. Woolworth Co.

Framing Underway for New Storefront Soffits at the Woolworth Building

July 11, 2025 • F.W. Woolworth Co.

Second-Floor Steel Beam Installation Begins at the Woolworth Building

July 6, 2025 • F.W. Woolworth Co.

South Parapet Prepared for Structural Beam Installation at the Woolworth Building

July 2, 2025 • F.W. Woolworth Co.

Shoring Removed to Clear the Way for Structural Renovation at the Woolworth Building

June 27, 2025 • F.W. Woolworth Co.

Elevator Shaft Construction Begins at the Woolworth Building

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Restoration Updates | See daily progress on Historic Cleveland Street

The Telephone Building

Shellac Sealing Begins on Exposed Woodwork in the Telephone Building

Second Floor Plumbing Rough-In Begins at Peoples Bank

F.W. Woolworth Co.

The East and West Stairwell Rebuild Is Complete at the Woolworth Building

Second-Floor Demolition Begins at the Brown Brothers Building

Framing Removal Is Complete at 635 Cleveland Street

SEE ALL UPDATES

An exciting new chapter of historic restoration begins for four unique properties on Cleveland Street in Downtown Clearwater.

See the magnificent transformation now underway

FOR INFORMATION

Scott Dobbins
scott@hybridgecre.com