Skanska USA Building has gone from removal to renewal. 

The U.S. arm of the Sweden-based builder and developer announced Jan. 27 it has finished demolition and transitioned into the reconstruction phase on the flagship library at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

The firm won the $104 million contract to refurbish the Milton S. Eisenhower library in 2024, starting construction in July of that year. The work on the library, designed by New York City-based Perkins Eastman, will include new finishes and mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and building envelope upgrades such as restoration of windows and roofing. 

First constructed in 1964, the 183,746-square-foot library has four levels below grade. When construction is complete, the library will feature a two-story reading room, a wishbone staircase and a glass roof to bring light to the building’s interior, according to the release.

The project will also create expanded spaces for study and exhibition, as well as specialized learning labs. It will be the first project to follow Johns Hopkins' High-Performance and Healthy Buildings Guidelines, achieving LEED Gold certification and positioning the building for net-zero readiness, Skanska said.

The contractors marked the new phase with a “Slab on Grade” celebration, representing the placement of the first major structural element of the rebuilding phase and the start of vertical construction. 

“We’re proud of the hard work and dedication of our project team and trade partners on this complex project, and the work to date is a true reflection of their effort to deliver a best-in-class renovation,” said Mark Balling, executive vice president of Skanska USA Building’s Mid-Atlantic region, in the release.

Completion on the job is expected in fall 2026.