Stone & Lime Historic Restoration Services, a frequent project management partner for the sensitive rehabilitation and renovation of historic structures, announced on Friday that it has been selected to oversee restoration and repairs to the Cape Lookout Lighthouse.
Stone & Lime is also the main contractor for the ongoing Cape Hatteras Lighthouse restoration, which began in early 2024 and is expected to be completed by the summer of 2026, barring any additional restorative work required.
The Cape Lookout Lighthouse is the second lighthouse completed on the site, and was lit on November 1, 1859, replacing the original structure built in 1812.
The double wall lighthouse – the first of its kind in North Carolina – allowed the tower to be much taller than previous designs. A Fresnel lens was installed in this second tower, measuring 163 feet tall, with its light reaching 15 miles out to sea.
In early 2021, National Park Service (NPS) staff conducted a regular pre-season safety inspection of the lighthouse and found several concerns related to structural components, such as deteriorating stairs and handrails. Structural engineers were brought to the site to perform more in-depth inspections, resulting in a list of suggested repairs.
While the Cape Lookout Lighthouse is not in any peril, a full restoration will help protect it into the future and ensure that visitors can safely climb it for decades to come. The upcoming project includes repair or replacement of metal stairs, handrails, landings, glass panes, windows, doors, and other materials.
For the first time since 1873, the lighthouse will also be stripped to bare brick and repainted with a breathable paint to help stabilize the moisture content of the bricks.
The project is comprehensive and will take several years to complete. Stone & Lime is expected to mobilize for the Cape Lookout Lighthouse project in the summer or fall of 2025.
Stone & Lime has overseen a variety of lighthouse projects for the National Park Service, including the multi-year restoration of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and the recently completed exterior restoration of the Boca Chita Lighthouse in Islandia, Florida.
“Stone & Lime is honored to be entrusted with the rejuvenation of wonderful maritime structures like the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, as well as for our continued partnership with the National Park Service,” said Chris Dabek, vice president of Stone & Lime. “When complete, the many visitors to Cape Lookout will be able to safely enjoy the Lighthouse for years to come while it continues to protect seafarers as they navigate the nearby Lookout Shoals.”
