W. L. Hall Company Metro Square Building (St Paul, MN) Curtainwall Revitalization & Restoration Project

W. L. Hall Company Curtainwall Revitalization & Restoration Metro Square 1Metro Square

The early 20th century saw the Emporium department store, built in 1911, as a key part of St. Paul's downtown shopping scene. The Metro Square building, which now belongs to Ramsey County and hosts several agencies' offices, was formerly the Emporium.

W. L. Hall Company Curtainwall Revitalization & Restoration Metro Square 1 Metro Square 2

This massive restoration project, worth $5.5 million, involved W. L. Hall Company, Miller Dunwiddie Architects (Minneapolis), and Sheehy Construction (St Paul) as collaborators. We used 50-foot hydro mobile decks for this complex project.

W. L. Hall Company Curtainwall Revitalization & Restoration Metro Square 1 Metro Square 3

The first step was removing all the curtainwall glass, metal flashing, pressure plates, and covers, revealing the building's 110-year-old brick and terracotta facade. Then, W. L. Hall Company prepared for the new glass installation by replacing zone dames and short gaskets and applying sealants. Finally, the restored glass was put back in place along with new pressure plates, flashings, and covers that matched the original color.

W. L. Hall Company Curtainwall Revitalization & Restoration Metro Square 1 Metro Square 4

It was a pleasure to work with Miller Dunwiddie and Sheehy Construction on this gratifying project.

W. L. Hall Company Curtainwall Revitalization & Restoration Metro Square 1 Metro Square 6

Let W. L Hall Company turn your custom design into reality!

W. L. Hall Company Curtainwall Revitalization & Restoration Metro Square 1 Metro Square 7
W. L. Hall Company Curtainwall Revitalization & Restoration Metro Square 1 Metro Square 8
By Ira Hackner September 2, 2025
When Hornig Companies set out to build their new headquarters in St. Louis Park, Tanek Architects (Minneapolis) and Gardner Builders (Minneapolis) designed a conference room that could do it all—flexibility, acoustics, and aesthetics.
By Ira Hackner August 21, 2025
Think of the McKEON AirShield™ AL3014 as more than just a door—it’s a precision-engineered barrier designed to keep comfort in and unwanted air out. This high-performance overhead coiling system is built for environments where air matters most: from busy industrial facilities to sensitive institutional spaces. ๆ‰‡๐ŸŒฌ๏ธ Superior Air Control – Keeps interior climates stable by minimizing air infiltration and exfiltration ๐Ÿ’ก Energy Efficiency – Helps cut heating and cooling costs while meeting today’s strict energy standards ๐Ÿ›  Durability You Can Trust – Engineered to perform reliably in the toughest conditions The result? Protected interiors, better comfort, and a door system that works as hard as you do.
By Ira Hackner August 4, 2025
A New Kind of Gathering Place. Step inside Hop House, grand opening August 7, 2025, at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, and you'll find more than just a sports bar. It's a two-level destination where craft beer, comfort food, and live entertainment meet bold design & luminous detail. The project was brought to life through our collaboration with Shea Design (Minneapolis) and Adolfson & Peterson Construction (Minneapolis), and key specialty partners, blending vision, craftsmanship, and execution into a seamless hospitality experience.
By Ira Hackner July 25, 2025
Our role in the construction of the Bloomington Parking Ramp involved supplying and installing the EFCO 5600E curtainwall system on the stair towers. ๏ปฟ Construction during the winter months often brings unique challenges to a project. That's why close collaboration with our valued partners—Clow Berg Architects (Minneapolis) and Ancoats Construction Management (Minneapolis)—was essential to identifying potential issues early and navigating them successfully as a team.
By Ira Hackner July 18, 2025
Longevity of Kalwall Translucent Panel Skylights: Proven Performance, Designed for Decades
By Ira Hackner July 3, 2025
Safety may not always be the flashiest topic, but in construction, it’s one of the most critical. At W. L. Hall Company, we’re excited to announce that our 2025 MOD rate is at an impressive 0.65—thanks to the unwavering focus of our Safety Team and the exceptional care and professionalism of our Ironworkers, Carpenters, and Glaziers. It’s a standout accomplishment that reflects our industry-leading commitment to jobsite safety.
By Ira Hackner June 30, 2025
Operable walls have transformed from functional dividers into aesthetic enhancers of the built environment. On this recent project, we helped the architect balance the need for space flexibility with the desire for the look of a more "permanent" solution. Glass panels with false muntins offer the best of both worlds— the look of a fixed demountable system with the flexibility of operable wall systems.
By Ira Hackner June 23, 2025
As part of Southdale Center’s $400 million luxury renovation, Simon Property Group (Indianapolis) reached out to us to help bring their bold architectural vision to life. We collaborated with W&W Glass Systems (New York) to deliver and install a stunning array of structural glass solutions that elevate the experience in the new luxury wing.
By Ira Hackner June 6, 2025
Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center's (Duluth) new high-performance façade system at the Level 6 - Inpatient Entrance.
By Ira Hackner June 6, 2025
A Brighter Future for West Minnehaha Recreation Center