Smith-Midland Corp., the manufacturer of the SLENDERWALL® architectural precast concrete panel system, announces its involvement in the construction of The Westin Hotel & Residences at the Virginia Beach Town Center.
The SLENDERWALL component of the contract awarded to Smith-Midland Corp. is valued at more than $3 million and features 420 exterior panels with 84,300 square feet of panel area.
The more than $80-million tower will be the tallest building in the state of Virginia at 525 feet. The 903,000-square-foot project will be a major anchor of the Virginia Beach Town Center, which is being developed and constructed by Armada Hoffler Co. The 38-story mixed-use building will feature 41,000 square feet of retail space on the first floor, five parking levels, a 236-room Westin hotel with 25,000 square feet of conference space, and the Westin Virginia Beach Residences, upscale condominiums encompassing the building's top 21 floors.
"The owner ... wanted a maintenance-free exterior for such a tall building," said Ashley Smith, Smith-Midland Corp. vice president for sales and marketing. "This is especially important so close to the coast, where the salt-water environment and the potential for high winds are key considerations."
The precast concrete panels being used in the project are a buff color with a smooth acid wash finish and dark brown accents. Concrete work began on the project in April 2006. Panel installation is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2007, with completion of the building scheduled for early 2007.
