Water Tower Place Marble Facade Restoration

This presentation initially took place at IIBEC's 2022 International Convention and Trade Show in Orlando, Florida.

Water Tower Place is a 74-story building constructed in 1976. The exterior facade is generally constructed of 1½-in.thick Georgia Cherokee Solar Gray marble stone veneer panels, with flush aluminum-framed windows. The panels are typically restrained using stainless steel kerfs at the bottom corners or center of the panels, and stainless steel pins at the top and sides of the panels.  In December 2003, the owner was advised that bowing of the marble facade panels and presumed accompanying marble strength loss had accelerated after 25 years of slow but linear weakening—the marble had lost 30% of its strength in roughly 30 years. This presentation reviews efforts to extend the facade’s service life to 2025 or longer. After hundreds of strength tests were evaluated and an updated wind tunnel test was performed, nearly 17,000 custom repair anchors were installed in the building from 2007 through 2009. In the years since then, additional yearly examinations have been performed, along with additional stone testing. The repairs implemented nearly 20 years ago have kept the facade serviceable, and the future serviceable life is currently being studied.

William D. Bast, PE, SE, SECB
SOCOTEC Engineering Inc. | Chicago, IL

William D. Bast has been a practicing structural engineer for more than 35 years in Illinois, where he has led structural design teams in renovations at Wrigley Field, Navy Pier, and Willis Tower. His expertise includes building facade evaluations, renovations, and repairs. He also serves as an expert witness in disputes and lawsuits. Bast is a former president of the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois and the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations.

Lee Fink, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
SOCOTEC Engineering Inc. | Chicago, IL

Lee Fink is a senior consultant in the Building Envelope Division of SOCOTEC Engineering in Chicago, Ill. His areas of expertise include design and restoration of building enclosures that include masonry wall, glazing, metal cladding, and roofing systems. He has lead the exterior restoration of several postmodern high-rise buildings, including OneAmerica Tower and Rhodes Tower. Fink is chair leader on the Technical Issues Knowledge Committee for AIA Chicago and previously served as a professor at Northwestern University.