Recyclean, Inc. takes on historic deconstruction projects around the Midwest, but at this grand Tudor-style home in Wisconsin, the company had its work cut out. Originally constructed in 1929 by American architect Alexander C. Eschweiler, whose Jacobethan and Neo-Georgian aesthetics made him a household name in Milwaukee, the lake home was a community staple that housed Wisconsin elite for decades before sitting empty overlooking Pine Lake.
Recyclean took on the project in early 2021, and according to Josh White, partner at Recyclean, the home was a sight to see. While the home also had some newer features, like Anderson windows and three wide, wooden beams down one of the home’s hallways, the antique and historic features of the home that made it the rewarding project it was.
“The old growth lumber and beams in the project were fantastic,” White said. “The entire exterior was covered with cream city brick, which is an antique brick that highly sought after, especially in the Milwaukee area. It also had this beautiful slate roofing that was all carefully removed and palletized.”
“But the most beautiful pieces we saved were these stained-glass doors, pieces that really can’t be replaced,” he said.
The Midwest’s leading deconstruction company, Recyclean takes on projects like the Pine Lake home around the Region. With a mission to think past the dumpster and the landfill, where the majority of building materials go after a home or building is torn down, Recyclean works to ethically and resourcefully recycle the materials found in newer and antique buildings.
“We offer a nice solution versus the landfill,” White said. “A lot of people won’t live in these older homes because with it comes the upkeep and maintenance. So, a lot of times, these homes stay empty, but these spaces are just so valuable.”
White and his team got to work learning about this 7,200-square ft. home and its history. This process of learning about the home and the materials that went into making it the beauty it was is vital for the successful completion of the deconstruction process in the eyes of the community.
Deconstruction began shortly after that. After the inside of the home was completely gutted, taking close care of the large incinerator and a large four-panel door near the stained-glass doors per the owner’s request, the team was able to start on the deconstruction of the second and third floors.
By the end of March, Recyclean was halfway through deconstruction. The slate roofing came down and was palletized, along with the cream city brick that continues to be a desired material in the area. Lumber that was likely milled in the late 1800’s was salvaged and shipped off to other construction sites for builders to use in their own projects.
“It can definitely be concerning for the communities that these places are coming down,” White said. “So, when we come across a project like this one, we get some context on the house, learn about its history, and rather than throwing away these materials, we donate them, and they’re reused in other projects. It’s really an amicable solution between us and the community the home is in.”
“For example, the lumber can’t be recreated today,” White said. “It’s of so much value that it’s important the lumber is reused for another project, whether it’s used by rebuilders or antique furniture makers.”
The deconstruction wrapped up in May, leaving a clean slate for the owner to build a new home on the property. The materials were donated, avoiding demolition and later the landfill. White remarked how deconstruction is an environmentally friendly and community-sensitive way to demo a home.
“People really struggle to see those materials go to the landfill, especially if they’ve lived on the property or near it,” he said. “They struggle to see those materials that they’ve put into their home over the years discarded. This allows someone to deconstruct and donate the materials, as opposed to just demo and discard.”
For more information about Recyclean, Inc., visit recyclean.net.