Beauty in block

Masonry Construction, April, 2003

Overlooking Sarasota Bay is a block behemoth, the 270-room Ritz-Carlton hotel and residences. Under a $2.4 million masonry contract, Sarasota, Fla.-based Advanced Masonry Systems (AMS) installed 255,730 CMU and 1608 cubic yards of coarse masonry grout. AMS completed the project within 12 months, which exceeded the construction manager's schedule, by maintaining an average onsite crew of 80 to 100 employees during the masonry scope of the work.

The hotel structure dominates its 11-acre site, allowing virtually no space for staging or storage. Suppliers delivered block, mortar, and masonry accessories daily based on whatever materials were to be installed on a given day. "We set up this arrangement in advance with vendors so there were no stocking or inventory fees," said Jane Dreger, AMS' operations director.

Many design elements of the fast-track project were not finalized until construction was underway; consequently, AMS found itself building directly from sketches issued by the structural engineer and architect. In some cases, the masonry contractor submitted alternative block designs that would provide time and cost savings. "Several of our proposals were incorporated into the final design," Dreger stated.

One such proposal was the use of hot-dipped galvanized steel mesh wall ties for walls up to 16-inches off-center, which enabled the use of block in place of poured concrete and rebar. Another successful proposal was the replacement of cast-in-place concrete columns with concrete modular unit pilasters. "These columns were decorative and not load-bearing--typically at parapet walls and hardscape columns," said Dreger.

Undaunted by the Ritz Carlton's time and space constraints, AMS is currently tackling an adjunct project: the 80-condominium Tower Residences, also managed by the Ritz-Carlton. "It's another high-rise in a similar style on the same postage-stamp lot," said Dreger.

Project Participants

Masonry Contractor: Advanced Masonry Systems, Sarasota, Fla.

General Contractor/Construction Manager: Hardin Construction Co., Atlanta

Architects: Milton Pate Associates, Atlanta

Owner: Slab LLC & Core Residence I, Sarasota, Fla.

Masonry Suppliers: FECP Cast Crete, Hughes Supply Inc., and Singeltary Concrete (all Sarasota, Fla.)