Concrete Restoration

Boston Store Lofts

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History: Built in 1918 as one of the world’s largest department store, the south end of the property was converted into loft condominiums over the past six years.

Scope: To diagnosis the cause of the severe cracking in the concrete spandrel beams and floors. Develop a remedy and implement a repair program.

Challenge: Working in the plenum, which was full of utility service ducts and obstructions to the work.

Result: Analysis of original construction determined that the loading of terra cotta veneer onto recently poured concrete beams caused initial failure dating back to the time of construction. The repair program was instituted and completed to structurally repair the defective concrete and units were reoccupied with little disturbance.

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