Masonry Magazine September 1972 Page. 5
Architect: John Mock
General Contractor:
Avery Mays Construction Co.
Mason Contractor:
V. E. Emory. Inc. (MCAA)
Developer:
Bridewell Land & Development Corp.
Ramada Inn Convention Center
Dallas, Texas
The second largest building featuring loadbearing concrete masonry construction in the United States has been completed and opened for business in Dallas, Texas. It's the impressive 12-story Ramada Inn Convention Center. The team that created the structure includes: John Mock, architect; Avery Mays Construction Co., general contractor; V.E. Emory, Inc. (MCAA), mason contractor, and Bridewell Land & Development Corp., developer.
The Center, costing $3 million, includes a 250-room hotel with a rooftop restaurant and a two-level parking garage for 385 cars. Total hotel area is 140,406 square feet or almost 13,000 square foot per floor. All rooms have private balconies.
The structural system consists of loadbearing reinforced concrete block walls and poured-in-place concrete floor slabs. This system resulted both in economy of construction and a definite savings in time. The project, from first floor to roof, was completed in only 64 working days or an average of one floor every five days. All of the concrete block are 8" thick and the only loadbearing element in the entire structure. Exterior walls are veneered with face brick to act as waterproofing, decoration and added insulation.
More than 50 builders, architects and other building professionals recently toured the facility. Some of their comments were:
"I am completely sold on loadbearing concrete masonry construction because of speed alone," said developer Bridewell. "The Center was completed ahead of schedule, which represents dollars saved. Every day saved in construction time saved approximately $5,000 in investment money."
Bridewell added that he plans two more such buildings "in the very near future."
Avery Mays, the general contractor, said: "Loadbearing concrete masonry is so fast we had to stay on our toes in scheduling. We liked it because everyone worked better under some pressure. Masonry was far ahead of plumbing and electrical, and the crafts did not get in each others' way. Hustle on the job made everyone enthusiastic in all trades."
No final figures are available concerning construction costs, but estimates range around $16.47 per square foot. The masonry portion was in excess of $300,000, or about 12% of the total building cost.
During the construction, the Texas Concrete Masonry Association publicized the project and building progress by sending jumbo cards to interested individuals.
A grout pump was used from ground level to the full height of the building, approximately 133 feet from the lobby to the top of the penthouse. The mason contractor laid block, brick, and placed the reinforcing and concrete grout in the block. Stocking was accomplished by a climbing crane and personnel hoist.
Although the Ramada Inn Convention Center is the first large loadbearing concrete masonry highrise in Texas, it certainly won't be the last. Other such buildings are scheduled or under construction in Fort Worth, Houston, Austin and Dallas.
Commented mason contractor Emory: "We think the Convention Center is an important milestone for the Masonry Industry, and we're glad to have been a part in promoting this system in Texas."