After a tornado, Skanska re-glazed the iconic Atlanta hotel involving the replacement of 6,350 panes of glass. More than 600 tons of glass and aluminum from the existing window system was recycled as part of the renovation.
The project involved very complicated logistics for the movement of material and people during construction in this occupied hotel. A visitor's center was constructed in the lobby to tell the story of the 2008 Tornado and the re-glazing efforts on the tallest hotel in the Northern Hemisphere.
The renovation had three main goals:
Restore the 1976 landmark design of the hotel
Follow a construction process that is safe and ensures minimal inconvenience to hotel guests
Bring the building exterior up to today's standards, recreating this beautiful icon for the city
Chiller Replacement
The central plant renovation involved demolition, removal and replacement of original gas fired boilers and liquid absorption chillers, with eight new package boilers and two 1500-ton electric chillers. The most challenging aspect of the project was keeping the hotel fully operational throughout the 12-month installation period. A series of innovative logistical plans and temporary work were put in place to minimize shutdowns to the main stream and chilled water lines. The project was completed three months ahead of schedule.
