What was your greatest professional accomplishment in 2016? - Michael Norman of Abbot Building

Michael Norman, Abbot Building Restoration

Our most notable project for 2016 was the restoration of the front and both side facades of Congregation Kehillath Israel in Brookline, Mass., serving as the prime masonry contractor for Kaplan Construction. The focal point of the project was to remove the grand entry steps and replace them with new, fabricated pre-cast concrete to match the original appearance.

Significantly, Abbot also replaced approximately 30% of the precast concrete on the front façade that was severely deteriorated. This included the two main turrets and various portions of the columns and ornamental water tables. On the two brick sidewalls of the sanctuary, Abbot replaced the steel over the stained glass windows, replaced sections of brick, and repointed the entire façade.