Archives for September 2023

125 Broad Street, also known as 2 New York Plaza, is a 40-story, 504-foot office tower in Lower Manhattan on the corner of South Street and Broad Street. Being located on the East River, it is susceptible to strong wind-driven rains making the building envelope crucial to its integrity and longevity.

Western was hired by Cushman & Wakefield to complete a full façade sealant replacement. Western was responsible for removing and replacing approximately 250,000 LF (over 47 miles) of exterior sealant.

In addition to sealant replacement, the project scope also included glass replacement, mullion replacement, aluminum panel repair, and mullion track repair.

This project was completed over two phases while working through the pandemic in 2022. Despite having to navigate through several obstacles, Western was able to complete the project on time.

About Western Specialty Contractors

Family-owned and operated for more than 100 years, Western Specialty Contractors is the nation’s largest specialty contractor in masonry and concrete restoration, waterproofing, and specialty roofing. Western offers a nationwide network of expertise that building owners, engineers, architects, and property managers can count on to develop cost-effective, corrective measures that can add years of useful life to a variety of structures, including industrial, commercial, healthcare, historic, educational and government buildings, parking structures, and sports stadiums. Western is headquartered in St. Louis, MO, with 30 branch offices nationwide and employs more than 1,200 salaried and hourly professionals who offer the best, time-tested techniques and innovative technology. For more information about Western Specialty Contractors, visit https://westernspecialtycontractors.com.

Western Specialty Contractors – Indianapolis Branch has restored the leaking plaza at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Indianapolis, IN, using modern waterproofing and decorative pedestal pavers. The 3,800 sq. ft. plaza is home to the church’s annual Italian Street Festival.

The plaza’s old pavers were leaking into the basement of a surrounding building, and elevated wooden decks and stairs connecting building access to the plaza were also deteriorating.

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis hired Western in February 2022 to install a beautiful new plaza to eliminate
water issues and decks and provide level access to the new space. Western started the project by removing the existing paver system and waterproofing and installing stone and copper flashing along the courtyard’s perimeter. Workers then installed a hot-applied waterproofing system to the plaza’s concrete slab before installing a new pedestal paver system that raised the plaza area by 22 inches.

Western’s craftsmen saw-cut the pavers on-site to create Holy Rosary Plaza’s new decorative pattern and ensure a proper fit. Western completed the project within three months, on budget, and in time for the church’s Italian Street Festival in June.

About Western Specialty Contractors

Family-owned and operated for more than 100 years, Western Specialty Contractors is the nation’s largest specialty contractor in masonry and concrete restoration, waterproofing, and specialty roofing. Western offers a nationwide network of expertise that building owners, engineers, architects, and property managers can count on to develop cost-effective, corrective measures that can add years of useful life to a variety of structures, including industrial, commercial, healthcare, historic, educational and government buildings, parking structures, and sports stadiums. Western is headquartered in St. Louis, MO, with 30 branch offices nationwide and employs more than 1,200 salaried and hourly professionals who offer the best, time-tested techniques and innovative technology. For more information about Western Specialty Contractors, visit https://westernspecialtycontractors.com.

Western Specialty Contractors – Des Moines, IA Branch used its concrete/masonry restoration and waterproofing expertise to repair and protect portions of historic Nile Kinnick Stadium – home to the University of Iowa Hawkeyes football team.

Located in Iowa City, IA, Nile Kinnick Stadium was named after University of Iowa football star Nile Kinnick who won the Heisman Trophy in 1939 and died in 1943 while serving in World War II. Originally named Iowa
Stadium, the facility was constructed in only seven months between 1928 and 1929 using horses and mules as the primary heavy-equipment movers. The stadium underwent major renovations in 1956, 1983, 1990, 2004 and 2016. Its current capacity is 69,250, making it one of the 20 largest university-owned stadiums in the country.

Most sports stadiums and arenas in the United States are made of reinforced and precast concrete with steel seating supports and railings. Unfortunately, an even more universal characteristic is their openness and vulnerability to the elements — in addition to the wear and tear they receive from fans. All of these forces combine to take a toll on their structural integrity.

Without routine maintenance and protection, these concrete structures are subject to cracking, spalling and
structural damage from movement and reoccurring freeze and thaw cycles.

Engineering firm Shive-Hattery Architecture + Engineering worked with university officials to determine the scope of work required by Western to restore and protect Kinnick Stadium, which included:

Waterproofing Membrane –
Grandstands (115,000 sq. ft.)

• Joint sealant replacement
• Vertical spall repairs
• Concrete crack repairs
• Concrete step replacement
  Concourse Soffit and Suspension
  System Repair/Replacement
• East Concourse repair plaster and
  repaint
• West Concourse replacement of the
  entire suspension system and plaster

Masonry Repairs – Southwest Corner
of Stadium

• New through-wall flashing
• 100% tuckpointing
• Parapet rebuild
• Multi-wythe brick replacement

Challenges on the project resolved by Western included scheduling and mobilizing work around unanticipated stadium events and building custom aluminum soffits that required multiple shop drawing revisions to ensure a proper fit.

Western’s craftsmen started the $1.2 million restoration project in May 2022 and completed the work on schedule in August 2022 and within budget.

About Western Specialty Contractors

Family-owned and operated for more than 100 years, Western Specialty Contractors is the nation’s largest specialty contractor in masonry and concrete restoration, waterproofing, and specialty roofing. Western offers a nationwide network of expertise that building owners, engineers, architects, and property managers can count on to develop cost-effective, corrective measures that can add years of useful life to a variety of structures, including industrial, commercial, healthcare, historic, educational and government buildings, parking structures, and sports stadiums. Western is headquartered in St. Louis, MO, with 30 branch offices nationwide and employs more than 1,200 salaried and hourly professionals who offer the best, time-tested techniques and innovative technology. For more information about Western Specialty Contractors, visit https://westernspecialtycontractors.com.