🔒$20M rehab to breathe new life into long-vacant Augusta landmark

After sitting vacant for decades, the former Augusta Mental Health Institute, known as the Stone Building, is undergoing an extensive rehabilitation in a $20.4 million preservation project funded by state bonds. Gale Associates Inc., a Massachusetts-based consulting engineering firm with an office in Portland, is leading the building’s multi-phase stabilization and preservation. The mid-19th century landmark in Maine's capital is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Features include a two-story Greek Revival portico, Romanesque granite additions — incorporating stone from a nearby Hallowell quarry — a slate roof and stained-glass windows. Closed since 2004, the building had experienced a partial roof collapse, exterior wall displacement, deteriorated slate and mortar joints and widespread window failure, leaving the structure vulnerable to water infiltration and loss of historic fabric. Gale Associates was retained by the Maine Bureau of General Services in 2021 to evaluate stabilization options and develop a preservation-based strategy to secure and restore the building’s exterior.

Complicated undertaking

Phase one included full roof replacement, slate repair and replacement, repointing, stone repairs and reconstruction of severely deteriorated wall and gable components. Phase two addressed hazardous materials abatement and selective salvage of significant interior historic woodwork, in coordination with the Maine Historic Preservation Commission. Phase three is underway, and includes restoration of approximately 50 historic wood windows, including original stained-glass units. Where windows are beyond repair, Gale is collaborating with state preservation officials to design replacement units that meet modern energy code requirements while maintaining historic proportions. The project will position the Augusta East Campus for future adaptive reuse. The state intends to renovate the interior for municipal uses, ensuring that the structure can once again serve the community. The anticipated completion date is March 2027. Gale Associates specializes in building enclosure consulting and commissioning, structural and civil engineering, athletic facilities planning and design and airport engineering and planning. In addition to Portland, the firm has locations across New England, the Mid-Atlantic region and Florida.