Development Watch: 414 Hicks Street

CHMomma,

From your descrption, I’m guessing the building utilizes load-bearing cmu (concrete masonry unit) walls. This method of construction is undoubtedly the most economical for certain residential and hotel projects. The exterior walls and one wall of the double-loaded corrider serve double duty, both their obvious function and that of structural support. There is no need for a seperate concrete or steel structural frame or its associated cost. The floors in this type of construction are typically precast concrete planks.

One drawback of load-bearing cmu construction is that there can be very little flexibility in the room layouts. If you start introducing, for instance, L-shaped rooms, you get into having to add load-bearing beams, typically steel, which will need fireproofing and surrounding with a finish, thus introducing another trade or two and losing much of the cost advantage. Another drawback is that the finish that’s directly applied to the underside of the precast planks will allow the joints between the planks to still be seen (just look up from your Motel 8 bed one day). And, yes, there is a height limitation because ultimately the dead load of a high building will necessitate the load-bearing walls to be impractically thick at the bottom levels. You would be surprised how high you can go, though. Many years ago I worked on a proposed project of this type that would have gone to 12 stories. I seem to remember that the walls were 12″ thick at the lowest levels.

Probably “too much information”, but you did ask!

God Bless them Keep them coming. Maybe rents will now go down to affordable levels and we don’t hace to share a room with 5 people and eat peanutbutter and jelley sandwiches just to pay rent to bloodsucking homeowners.

I can’t wait until the styrofoam and stucco shell goes on and the fedders cases are put in! And the views of the BQE are to die for.