Restoring Hope

MATT Construction just began preconstruction efforts on a project to restore the famous “Tower of Hope” building at Christ Cathedral — the former Crystal Cathedral Church in Garden Grove.  In 2003, MATT constructed the Richard Meier-designed visitor center on the same site, seen in this photo:

The following description of the Tower of Hope project is reprinted from the Orange County Catholic article by Greg Hardesty:

It stands like a single exclamation point on the Christ Cathedral campus, the tallest building in Orange County when it was built in 1968.

Now, the Tower of Hope – topped with a cross that, especially when illuminated at night, has been a source of comfort and consolation for millions – is set to start undergoing a major renovation, including state-of-the-art seismic upgrades and a complete interior refurbishing.

“The Tower of Hope is a very important symbol in Orange County,” says Father Christopher Smith, episcopal vicar and rector of Christ Cathedral. “It has represented hope and refuge for tens of thousands of people every year. We are honoring the legacy of those who came before us – the legacy of Christianity.”

The $6.1 million renovation, part of the comprehensive remake of the former campus of the Crystal Cathedral, is set begin this month and be completed in summer 2014, said Newport Beach-based developer Rob Neal, Chairman of the Architecture and Renovation Committee for Christ Cathedral.

The 13-story Tower of Hope will house the staff of Christ Cathedral Catholic Corp., which oversees the operation of the campus, as well as staffmembers of the former St. Callistus Catholic School, which has been renamed Christ Cathedral Academy.