Description
Masonry Contractor: Phoenix Bay State Construction Corp.
Masonry Supplier: The QUIKRETE Companies
Lead Architect: Cambridge Seven Associates
Preservation and Historical Architect: Ann Beha Architects
Landscape Architect: Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates
The QUIKRETE® Companies played an integral role in a $150 million rehabilitation and expansion project involving the Charles Street Jail in Boston, Mass. Built in 1851, the jail was in active use until 1990, when deteriorating physical conditions forced its closure. Since the property was situated in the Beacon Hill neighborhood, city historic and development organizations sought to renovate and preserve the building.
Cambridge Seven Associates (C7A), a full service architectural design firm, coordinated efforts to preserve the original architecture in converting the jail into the modern, upscale Liberty Hotel. Phoenix Bay State Construction Corp. (PBS Construction), a historic masonry restoration company in Boston, aided in the conversion of the 157-year-old jail and building of a new 16-story, 280-room tower situated behind the jail.
In the renovation, the goal was to maintain the existing granite block exterior and preserve as many features of the jail as possible. The former jail was transformed into 18 suites and a variety of public spaces, including a lobby and reception areas, two restaurants, a bar, grand ballroom and meeting rooms.
The transformation of the site into a luxury hotel was the work of the architect collaborating with historians, conservationists and masonry restoration experts to ensure a careful balance between preservation and modern functionality. For example, PBS Construction salvaged existing granite and incorporated it into exterior landscaping and the connection between the new and old buildings.
Over 350,000 bricks were laid with one hundred, 80-pound bags of QUIKRETE® Mason Mix Type N and 280 3,000-pound bulk bags of QUIKRETE® Type N Aspen Tan mortar. Over 20 masons completed the brick and stone work during an 18 month span, using a total of 848,000-pounds of QUIKRETE® materials.
Work crews made extensive efforts to preserve existing brick, which was eventually used to rebuild the Scampo restaurant, Italian for “escape,” and Alibi lounge, formerly the “drunk tank.”
Portions of this project phase, in particular, were tedious. Workers took care to preserve the original hardware and wrought-iron bars, now adorning the three-story arched lounge and lobby windows. Remnants of jail cells within the hotel lobby bar and the historic catwalks around the central atrium were also preserved.
The Massachusetts climate posed another challenge, because a majority of the work was done during the winter months. To prevent mortar from freezing, masons needed to keep temperatures above 40 degrees using enclosed scaffolding and running heaters 24 hours a day.
In addition, the building was close to the street, making the mixing site extremely tight. This increased the importance of logistics and inventory management. Since the mixing area was confined to a small alleyway, the QUIKRETE® bulk mortar and Spec-Mix silo system proved to be an invaluable resource to masonry crews.
When first built, the original granite edifice of the Charles Street Jail was innovative for its day, comprising a cruciform-shaped structure complete with a 90-foot central rotunda and cupola.
Since opening in September 2007, the hotel has welcomed many notable dignitaries and celebrities from around the world as guests.
