LOUIS SULLIVAN BUILDING OF NEWARK
Location: Newark, Ohio
Project Type: Historical Restoration
Role: Electrical Contractor
General Contractor: Danis
Owner: Licking County Foundation
Contract: $315,000
Completion: 2025
The Louis Sullivan Building has stood on Courthouse Square for more than a century. Built in 1914 and opened in 1915, it is one of only eight banks designed by architect Louis Sullivan and remains one of Central Ohio’s most significant historic structures. In 1973, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Claypool Electric supported the full historic renovation of the building, installing a new fire alarm system, new electrical service and new distribution equipment while working carefully within a nationally significant space. The work required patience, precision and respect for what was already there.
Over the years, the building housed banks, a butcher shop, a jewelry store and an ice cream parlor. While the interior changed, the character of the building never did.
Today, the building is open to the public and serves as the home of Explore Licking County, welcoming visitors while honoring its past.
Challenges
Working within an active historic university building required careful planning and coordination. The Claypool team navigated several complex challenges throughout the project, including:
- Completing a full electrical renovation inside a protected historic structure, including a new fire alarm system, new electrical service and new circuitry throughout.
- Removing historic light fixtures and coordinating off-site recreation based on original designs.
- Reusing original fixture components wherever possible while integrating modern electrical systems.
- Coordinating lighting placement to properly illuminate restored murals, gold leaf detailing and stonework.
- Managing long restoration timelines, including a fixture recreation process that spanned more than 1.5 years.
Outcome
Claypool installed 35 custom light fixtures throughout the building, each recreated to match the originals. Molds were hand crafted for five different fixture types, combining original parts with newly fabricated components.
The restored fixtures now illuminate the building’s historic murals, serpentine stone surfaces and architectural details as they would have appeared when the building first opened. Approximately 7,000 man-hours went into the electrical scope of work.
The project played a key role in returning the Louis Sullivan Building to public use and supporting the broader restoration effort led by the Licking County Foundation. What was once closed is now open, active and part of Newark’s future again.
Highlights
- 35 custom historic light fixtures installed
- Five unique fixture types recreated by hand
- Approx. 7,000 man-hours worked
- Historic fixtures restored using original components where possible
- New electrical systems integrated without compromising historic character
35
custom fixtures
7,000
man-hours worked
1
national landmark