Steeple Square
Dubuque, Iowa
Mixed-Use Event, Residential, and Childcare.
46,770 SF
Dedicated in 1867, St. Mary’s parish completed construction on a new church designed by Irish Architect John Mullany. The parish constructed an adjoining rectory, convent, and school building creating a campus that occupies the entire block. After the last service was held, the future of the campus was unknown. Local business leaders acted forming Steeple Square, a non-profit with a mission to serve the neighborhood and larger community with affordable housing, educational training, and recreational programs through the revitalization of the historic campus.
Over the course of seven years, SMA partnered with Steeple Square on a variety of projects. Projects including rehabilitating the school into 12 apartments, transforming the rectory into a childcare facility, restoring the church and steeple, constructing educational training rooms in the church basement, and creating a new site layout and landscaping that improved the connection of all buildings. The project was funded in part by Federal and State historic tax credits, all work was designed to meet the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation.
The new copper used on the steeple restoration reverts the steeple to it’s historic monochromatic color.
Over 15,000 pounds of copper were installed on the steeple in the form of metal panels and replicated architectural detail elements.
Before
After
Before
After
