The Plant Riverside District, a six-story, 419-room JW Marriott Hotel complex, was constructed along the Savannah River in downtown Savannah, GA, utilizing the strength, durability, and aesthetic versatility of concrete. This $270 million project, completed in 2020, features three new structures and the refurbishment of a historic power plant. Concrete was chosen for its unmatched strength and ability to integrate seamlessly with the historic elements of the site, including original overhead cranes and smokestacks.
Thomas Concrete supplied over 18,000 cubic yards of concrete for this extensive project, incorporating 13 different mix designs. These included THOMAGREEN® low-carbon concrete, high-strength mixes, flowable fill, and auger cast mixes for pilings. Notably, 15% of the total concrete used was 115-pound lightweight concrete. The mixes were designed to not only meet the structural requirements but also to achieve specific aesthetic goals. Three different colors of concrete were used, including a mix that matched the original 1912 brickwork. Polished concrete was employed to enhance the comfort and style of the hotel lobby, which features museum-quality displays such as a 135-foot dinosaur skeleton and crystal geodes.
The exterior design incorporated tabby concrete, which uses oyster shells to blend the complex with Savannah’s historic riverwalk. Environmentally responsible practices were integral to the project, with fly ash used to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction materials. The use of concrete ensured that the project was completed on schedule and without delays, thanks to its strength and reliability.
