When fire damaged the turret of Patrick McGovern’s Pub & Restaurant over the winter, it marked a significant loss for one of St. Paul’s most recognizable landmarks. Known for its historic architecture and neighborhood charm, the pub has long been a staple for locals and visitors alike.
Building Restoration Corporation was brought in to handle one key piece of the recovery: reconstructing the turret to match its original profile while meeting today’s preservation standards. From custom metalwork to structural rebuild, our team was proud to help restore a familiar part of the city skyline.
“BRC was honored to be selected to help restore that character.”
We’ve worked with the McGovern’s team in the past, and when their turret was destroyed in the fire, we were fortunate to partner with them again to bring it back. Our goal was to rebuild the historic turret to match its original appearance while meeting modern safety and preservation standards.
A Complex Restoration, Start to Finish
This wasn’t a typical job. Our scope of work involved:
- Assessing the fire damage and carefully dismantling the remaining turret
- Working with our metal fabrication shop to create a custom die for replicating the historic stamped metal shingles
- Fabricating an entirely new wood-framed cone and barrel structure to match the original shape and detail
- Hoisting and installing the newly fabricated turret and associated metal details
One of the biggest logistical hurdles came early on. The turret sits above the corner of W. 7th Street and Chestnut, where high-voltage lines had to be moved before we could safely erect scaffolding. With coordination and persistence, we successfully worked with Xcel Energy to reroute the lines with no added cost to the client.
Historic Care and Craftsmanship
From the very beginning, our Sr. Project Manager, Brett Hobbins, guided the project in coordination with the St. Paul Heritage Preservation Commission and the client. Materials were selected for historic compatibility, safety, and long-term durability.
This included lead-coated terne metal, traditional detailing, and sheathing techniques that respected the original design while enhancing weather performance.
An Icon Restored
Today, the turret stands fully rebuilt, visually identical to the original, structurally sound, and ready to serve as a visual anchor for the pub once again. The brick remains. The character remains. And so does McGovern’s place as a downtown staple for locals and visitors alike.
We’re proud to have played a part in restoring this iconic corner of St. Paul.