Built originally as a saw mill and converted to a paper mill in 1881, the Brandywine Paperboard Mill had stood abandoned and dilapidated for years. Located on the banks of the Brandywine River in Downingtown, PA, the mill has been transformed into the upscale Firecreek Restaurant.

Approximately 3,700 sq. ft. of PAC-CLAD 24 gauge Galvalume Plus High Snap-On Panels and 2,200 sq. ft. of 16 oz. Copper, 1/2” Corrugated Panels helped complete the transformation.

“This was Phase 1 of a major urban infill project,” according to owner Tom Deignan. Deignan is also president of Carroll Contractors, the general contractor on the design/build project. “Phase 2 will be an office building and Phase 3 will be a 65 unit condo complex.”

The project required rezoning and is now classified as an ARM District (Adaptive Reuse of Mills). “We tried to replicate materials as closely as possible to the original although there was probably a wood roof of some sort on the original structure. What we create from an architectural perspective will coincide with the vernacular architecture of antiquated mills, albeit new construction,” Deignan said.

Installation of the PAC-CLAD material was done by Munn Roofing Corp., Chalfont, PA. “The greatest challenge resulted from the low slope areas that required some old-fashioned flashing techniques,” said Sam Munn. “We used several experienced ‘tin-knockers’ who did a great job. And it was also tricky tying the copper into the stone work--getting it to fit the line of the old stones. But the job turned out great.”