Lendlease and IHG Army Hotels, which is part of the InterContinental Hotels Group, were the first to build a hotel using cross-laminated timber (CLT) in the U.S., constructed in the former troop barracks area at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama and opened in March 2016. That team recently completed its fourth CLT hotel, the first phase of the Candlewood Suites at Fort Jackson in South Carolina, which opened last month.
The first phase consists of this property’s 171-room West Building whose construction included some 4,100 pieces of black spruce CLT. The property’s East building, slated to be completed next spring, will have 146 rooms. The costs of these projects were not disclosed.
Lendlease and IHG Army Hotels have a portfolio of hotels with an aggregate 13,000-plus rooms, located on 40 U.S. military installations. This portfolio includes the largest Candlewood Suites hotel in the world, a 311-room facility that opened last July in Fort Gordon, Ga. The South Carolina project was developed under the Privatization of Army Lodging (PAL) program, and is the 14th Candlewood Suites hotel in the PAL portfolio. Lendlease and IHG Army Hotels took over operations of Fort Jackson’s lodging in 2013.
The $1.8 billion PAL program’s total construction costs to date exceed $940 million.
Also see: Time-lapse video of the Fort Jackson hotel’s construction
P3 AGREEMENT DATES BACK MORE THAN 10 YEARS
In 2009, Lendlease took ownership of more than 3,200 hotel rooms located across 10 U.S. Army installations and, with IHG, became the first developer to begin operations under PAL, an Army-led public-private partnership that was established to revitalize on-post lodging for soldiers, their families and government travelers. Under this program, Lendlease and IHG have also built hotels branded Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites.
Lendlease, PAL’s executive developer under an agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense, is owner/developer, design/builder, and asset manager on the Fort Jackson hotel. InterContinental Hotels Group is the operator and manager of IHG Army Hotels.
“The PAL program is a great partnership [among] the Army, Lendlease, and IHG,” stated Scott Chamberlain, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Housing, and Partnerships. “I look forward to ongoing success as we continue to meet the mission of the PAL program by improving the quality of life for service members and their families.
Each of the rooms includes a kitchenette among its amenities.
MAJOR INVESTMENTS IN HOUSING, AFTER MANAGEMENT FLAWS EXPOSED
Stars and Stripes reported last month that the Army plans to spend $2.8 billion in base housing over the next five years to build 3,800 new homes and renovate nearly 18,000 existing homes at Army bases. This announcement followed reports about dangerous housing conditions that include exposure to lead paint, mold and asbestos; insect infestation, and poor maintenance.
Military officials attribute some of these problems to poor oversight of private companies that manage nearly all the housing on stateside bases.
This latest investment would build on a $500 million base housing investment last fall, according to Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy.
Related Stories
| Jan 21, 2014
2013: The year of the super-tall skyscraper
Last year was the second-busiest ever in terms of 200-meter-plus building completions, with 73 towers, according to a report by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
| Jan 13, 2014
Custom exterior fabricator A. Zahner unveils free façade design software for architects
The web-based tool uses the company's factory floor like "a massive rapid prototype machine,” allowing designers to manipulate designs on the fly based on cost and other factors, according to CEO/President Bill Zahner.
| Jan 11, 2014
Getting to net-zero energy with brick masonry construction [AIA course]
When targeting net-zero energy performance, AEC professionals are advised to tackle energy demand first. This AIA course covers brick masonry's role in reducing energy consumption in buildings.
Smart Buildings | Jan 7, 2014
9 mega redevelopments poised to transform the urban landscape
Slowed by the recession—and often by protracted negotiations—some big redevelopment plans are now moving ahead. Here’s a sampling of nine major mixed-use projects throughout the country.
| Dec 31, 2013
BD+C's top 10 stories of 2013
The world's tallest twisting tower and the rise of augmented reality technology in construction were among the 10 most popular articles posted on Building Design+Construction's website, BDCnetwork.com.
| Dec 27, 2013
Grand Cancun to be first net-zero energy luxury eco-tourism resort
Using a marine platform concept instead of an artificial island, the development will create more space with less impact in the fragile marine ecosystem.
| Dec 20, 2013
Can energy hogs still be considered efficient buildings? Yes, say engineers at Buro Happold
A new tool from the engineering firm Buro Happold takes into account both energy and economic performance of buildings for a true measure of efficiency.
| Dec 13, 2013
Safe and sound: 10 solutions for fire and life safety
From a dual fire-CO detector to an aspiration-sensing fire alarm, BD+C editors present a roundup of new fire and life safety products and technologies.
| Dec 11, 2013
Wyndham unveils hotel prototype for its Hawthorn Suites chain
The extended-stay hotel prototype reduces development costs by 46% for franchisees and enhances the overall guest experience.
| Dec 10, 2013
16 great solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors
From a crowd-funded smart shovel to a why-didn’t-someone-do-this-sooner scheme for managing traffic in public restrooms, these ideas are noteworthy for creative problem-solving. Here are some of the most intriguing innovations the BD+C community has brought to our attention this year.
