Fixin’ Up the Ritz

Words: Frank Bracken, Maurice Lafayettehttps://masoncontractors.azurewebsites.net/Public/News/20110708080000-1.jpg" width="600" height="338" border="0" alt="The San Francisco Ritz Carlton Condominiums and Residences." />
The San Francisco Ritz Carlton Condominiums and Residences.
Built in 1890, the Chronicle “DeYoung” Building was the first Skyscraper in San Francisco and, at the time, the tallest building in the West. In the 1950s, the building was modernized during the Minimalist period of Architecture. The entry bay was completely shorn off, and the second story and upward was clad in metal panels. With the complete restoration to its original architectural facade in mind, Ritz Carlton purchased the building for its San Francisco Third and Market Street Condominiums and Residence project.

A Solution

With the guidance of Frank Bracken and Maurice Lafayette, the team at Architectural Facades Unlimited (AFU) recreated the 14-story entry bay detail of the building, which had been shorn off for the metal panels installed in the’ 50s. The bay window sections, missing brick, lintels, moldings and sandstone details were recreated to match the existing brick, sandstone color and texture. All patterns, rubber-molds, color matching, attachment embedments and glass fiber reinforced concrete fabrication (GFRC) were created at the Architectural Facades plant in Gilroy, Calif.

This project was extremely intricate, and the craftsmanship involved had to be impeccable. Constant communication had to exist for measuring and construction changes. AFU, Charles Bloszies Architects, Page & Turnbull, and the associate architects for the historic preservation, and Four Star Erectors worked together to create a successful project.

Glass Fiber Reinforced Cement is composed of glass fiber reinforced cement for both interior and exterior applications. It weighs about 8 pounds per square foot at 3/4-inch thickness. GFRC is a great choice for projects in which weight; flexibility of design, color and surface texture; and climate extremes are important. With PSI of 5,000 GFRC is perfect choice for high-traffic areas.

Accolades

As a result of their work, Architectural Facades Unlimited was awarded the 2009 Award for Excellence in GFRC Fabrication by the Architectural Precast Association for the Ritz Carlton Condominiums and Residences Project.
About: Featured
The Cornerstone of Success: Safety and Documentation in Masonry
April 2025

The masonry industry plays a vital role in constructing our homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Yet, beneath the enduring beauty of brick and stone lies a complex and often hazardous work environment. Ensuring the safety of workers and maintaining docu

Erin Laird
Featured MAP Partner
Safety Training
Read More
How It's Made: Natural Stone Veneer
April 2025

Natural stone veneer is a durable, versatile, and aesthetically pleasing building material that has been used for centuries. It adds timeless beauty to masonry projects while offering structural integrity and resilience. But how does natural stone veneer

Rob McKay
Featured MAP Partner
Read More
Vibing Masonry #5 - The Evolution of Concrete Masonry Units: From Ancient Foundations to Modern Innovations
April 2025

Early Development: The Genesis of Concrete Blocks (early Rome to 1900s) The history of concrete masonry units (CMUs) or concrete blocks begins with humanity’s earliest binding materials, notably the Romans’ remarkable concrete. Around AD 125, structures l

Steve Blye
Featured
General Education Residential Restoration
Read More
MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 18 Recap: Jeff Tew, Westlake Royal Stone Solutions
April 2025

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Jeff Tew joins the show, along with MCAA President Jeff Buczkiewicz, to talk about where his passion for this industry started and what it's been like working on the Supplier side of the industry. An Excitin

Justin Stengel
Featured
Training
Read More