GOP Limited: TownePlace Suites Cincinnati
Project Overview
Project Name: TownePlace Suites Cincinnati, Robertson Building Historic Renovation and Conversion
Owner: Keystone Hotel Group
Construction Manager: Stonehenge Building Group
Architect: Luminaut
Structural Engineer: GOP Limited
Project Details
GOP Limited was originally tasked with providing Stonehenge Building Group a structural evaluation of this 1912 historically significant, former bank building. The building consisted of at least two distinct structures of varying structural systems; that of a concrete-framed three-story addition and an older, steel-framed, eight-story building.
Future plans involved a conversion to residential use with five-story and seven-story overbuild additions. GOP Limited’s structural evaluation was the basis for the renovation, allowing the owner to proceed with the conversion into a contemporary, 110-room, extended-stay hotel without significant structural remediation costs.
During schematic design, project manager Chad Estes performed selective demolition to expose structural framing systems and oversaw basement excavations to expose existing footings and prepare the area for the new pool. With this information, he was able to determine that the five, and even the seven-story light-framed additions, could take place without remedial foundation work of any kind.
Chad finalized the investigation with a complete lateral systems analysis and report measuring the structure against modern-day level wind and seismic forces. He was able to demonstrate the adequacy of the historic eight-story building and make plans to fortify the shorter portions with concrete walls in the stair and elevator shafts.
“Being able to bring new life to a forgotten structure of that age was made possible by some of the fortunate variables present in our downtown area,” said Project Manager Chad Estes. “The central business district generally has a favorable soil matrix for foundations. Also, a considerable amount of building stock in downtown Cincinnati consists of heavy concrete construction that allows for flexibility in re-use. Those two components were the drivers for making the structure a reality, and our involvement early on allowed for financial resources that may have otherwise gone ‘into ground’ to be channeled back into other, more experiential aspects of the project.”
In 2021, Chad Estes was named partner at GOP Limited, the only Cincinnati engineering firm that has continuously provided structural engineering design services for over 100 years.
Chad Estes is a registered Professional Engineer with 11 years of structural design and project management experience. His project experience includes multi-story office towers, large scale mixed-use developments, and a broad range of commercial, retail, industrial, municipal, and educational projects. He specializes in developing cost-effective and practical structural solutions, managing complicated projects, and coordinating structural systems with other building systems.
Estes is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a B.S. in Architectural Engineering Technology. He started his career at GOP Limited as a co-op student and became a design engineer for the firm upon graduation. He currently resides in Ft. Thomas, Kentucky, with his wife Bethany.
GOP Limited is a nine-person structural engineering firm located in downtown Cincinnati. Since 1920, the firm has provided structural engineering services for numerous projects in the Greater Cincinnati area and across the country. Projects include institutional, commercial, industrial, educational, religious and residential buildings among others.
GOP Limited is a longtime supporter of AIA Cincinnati. Learn more at gopltd.com.
