Heritage Restoration and Design Studio
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Interior restoration and renovation |
| Founded | 1820 |
| Founder | Alois Berlinger |
| Headquarters | Peoria , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Michael Berlinger, Stephen Berlinger, Christopher Berlinger, Joseph Berlinger, Anthony Berlinger |
| Products | Interior restoration, renovation, woodworking, plastering, stone craftsmanship |
| Owner | Berlinger family |
Heritage Restoration and Design Studios Inc., commonly known as Heritage Restoration, is a family-owned enterprise specializing in interior restoration and renovation, headquartered in Peoria, Illinois.
Background
Heritage Restoration has played a role in the preservation of numerous U.S. historic and national landmarks. Their craftsmanship includes woodwork at Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple and the clock tower of the Livingston County Courthouse located in Pontiac, Illinois. The company remains under the stewardship of the Berlinger family, now spanning six generations.
History
The origins of the company date back to 1820 in Bavaria, Germany, when Alois Berlinger founded Steinhauer Berlinger as a stone carving and construction firm. During the third generation, Edmund Berlinger broadened the business by purchasing sandstone quarries to supply materials for their stone projects and expanded services to include interior plastering and whitewashing.
In the fourth generation, Edmund's sons—Alois, Gustav, and Herman—enhanced the company’s offerings by introducing interior finishing and precast concrete work. Alois’s marriage to Helga Lehmeier brought woodworking and glassworking expertise into the enterprise. Economic challenges following World War II led Alois and Helga to emigrate to the United States in 1965 with their sons Michael and Willibald.
After settling in Chicago, Alois launched a painting business that evolved into the American division of Steinhauer Berlinger, renamed Berlinger Decorating Company. Michael Berlinger became involved early on, marking the fifth generation’s entry into the firm. The company redirected its focus toward restoration projects that combined woodworking, painting, and stone craftsmanship.
During the 1970s, the firm moved to Peoria, Illinois, establishing a long-term headquarters. Leadership passed to Michael Berlinger, who guided the organization toward specializing in historical restoration and preservation efforts. In the early 2000s, it adopted the name Heritage Restoration and Design Studios Inc. Currently, Michael’s four sons—Stephen, Christopher, Joseph, and Anthony—represent the sixth generation actively engaged in managing the business.
Notable projects
- Natural History Building at University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
- Livingston County Courthouse in Pontiac, Illinois
- Third District Appellate Courthouse in Ottawa, Illinois
- Unity Temple located in Chicago, Illinois
- Reddick Mansion in Ottawa, Illinois, undergoing a $1.2 million restoration
- Dickeyville Grotto in Dickeyville, Wisconsin, currently being restored
References