Grove Park Inn Resort

Project Description:
Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, people have come from around the world since 1912 to the Grove Park Inn Resort is the largest privately owned hotel in the United States. Our challenge in the project was to complete the technically accurate renovation and/or replacement of 350 historic windows without changing the overall feel of the resort for those who had come to love it.

Planning:
It was the property owner’s goal to minimize the replication and replacement of windows. We implemented a detailed evaluation that resulted in creating a catalogued of repair or replacement strategies for each of the 350 windows. Once this composite plan was completed we created a materials list for the total project. Some materials were shipped to North Carolina from as far away as California. The balance of the plan included the logistics of setting up a woodworking shop on site that would afford all materials to be fabricated by our own staff of carpenters.

Project Execution:
Window renovation included repairing all damaged wood or replacement of wood that was judged to be beyond repair. All joints in the sashes were tightened and reinforced. Each window was reglazed to provide the proper seal. All window hardware was thoroughly cleaned, repaired and, in some cases, replaced. A number of the windows required sash replacement and each of the windows was weather-stripped. All windows received both interior and exterior painting and all window screens were replaced . For those windows judged to be irreparable we duplicated window design, materials, hardware and glazing that created a replacement that was indistinguishable from the renovated original windows.

Summary:
The close working relationship we established with Grove Park Inn’s owners and the supervising architect allowed us to schedule work while guests occupied the resort. This plan led to our completing the project on time and on budget.

Return

**This project received Honorable Mention at the 2001 Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc. All Awards Program.