Using Decorative Concrete to Remediate Boston Lofts

This is a case study about the functional and aesthetic benefits of Decorative Concrete.

The project is a 5 story Mill style industrial brick building converted to residential Boston Lofts. The building in Bostons South end is like many industrial and older buildings found in many cities in the United States like Brooklyn NY, Baltimore Md. or Chicago Ill.

The floors were wood frame subfloor with a couple inches of concrete. The concrete had hairline cracks and in a few places had a hollow sound. Cracks were opened up and filled with an epoxy injection system (see Emecole crack repair videos at www.metrocrete.tv ).

In areas with hollow sound holes were drilled in the concrete then filled with an epoxy injection system. Once the concrete floor was remediated there were new issues to be dealt with before these Boston Lofts could be put on the market for sale.

Signature Surfaces of Barrington Rhode Island run by Tom Zilian was brought in to take a look and evaluate the options. As is the case with many building conversions floor height is a critical factor. The solution can make or break a real estate redevelopment.

This building had 50 units in the $600,000 – $800,000 range. Thats a $30 million -$40 million project. The solution had to be thin,durable, cost effective and aesthecially in harmony with the historical brick and heavy wood beams in each unit.

Tom Zilian of Signature Surfaces provided the solution utilizing Colormaker Floors Sgraffino Concrete Overlay with a color called Charcoal Suede. This was an ideal match with the historical feel of the building while conforming to code regulations regarding height at the doorways.

For many of the buildings worldwide Decorative Concrete overlays make it possible to convert a building into a higher and better use. There are many neighborhoods with old beat up buildings that cannot be converted economically without knowing the solutions.

Hence these neighborhoods wallow in disrepair. This case of remediating Boston Lofts should serve as example of how Decorative Concrete can help ailing downtowns everywhere. Not only does Decorative Concrete provide unlimited solutions to investors but a substantial business opportunity for those seeking an opportunity in the inner cities.

This solution applies to inner city and main street buildings world wide not just Boston lofts. The toughest construction projects are rehabs. Flooring is frequently the most challenging aspect of a rehab because of door jam heights and stairs. The cost of remediation can be excessive. Concrete overlays and self leveling concrete is frequently the only solution.

If you want to know more about Tom Zilian check out his website at www.signaturesurfaces.net

Tom has been involved with many Boston Lofts over the past 5 years.

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