Preserving Traditions, Respecting Legacy Keys to Successful Residence Hall Renovation
LOUIS, MO (June 24, 2025) Older residence halls are steeped in tradition and legacy, so when the time comes to renovate these campus gems, the student housing design experts at KWK Architects – a Lawrence Group Company recommend preserving the hall’s valuable identity and spirit in its updated design. “The significance of a residence hall’s traditions and culture transmitted over time transcends the four-year rotation of the traditional student and cannot be underestimated,” said KWK Principa...
Western Employs Unique Technique to Replace Expansion Joints at Sanctuary Centre Office Condominium Complex
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Western Specialty Contractors – Fort Lauderdale, FL Branch recently restored the parking garage roof deck at the Sanctuary Centre Condominiums in Boca Raton, FL using a unique technique to level its expansion joints. Located at 4800 N Federal Hwy, the Sanctuary Centre is a 180,000-square-foot office condominium complex made up of four, three-story buildings. The complex includes a covered, underground parking garage that enables contiguous access to all four buildings. T...
Western Specialty Contractors Waterproofs, Restores Curtain Walls at Vue Sarasota Bay Luxury Condo High-Rise
ORLANDO, FL (June 12, 2025) – Western Specialty Contractors – Orlando, FL Branch Office recently completed waterproofing and façade repairs as part of ongoing maintenance at Vue Sarasota Bay luxury condominium in Sarasota, FL. Built in 2017 at 1155 N Gulfstream Ave., the 18-story high-rise features 12-foot, floor-to-ceiling windows with sophisticated waterfront views of the bay. Residents enjoy exceptional amenities, including: 24/7 concierge and 16/7 valet, resort-style pool and spa, fitness...
Video: Reconstructing Topanga's Heritage
The hillsides of Topanga have witnessed centuries of change, from indigenous stewardship to modern development. When fire swept through this property, the Miyamoto team approached the assessment with respect for both the land's history and its future resilience. Our assessment revealed that portions of the original foundation could be preserved, saving the homeowners significant costs in demolition and reconstruction. More importantly, this approach substantially reduces their rebuilding time...
Western Specialty Contractors Restores Entrance to University of Saint Mary’s Historic Xavier Hall in Kansas
KANSAS CITY, MO (May 28, 2025) – Western Specialty Contractors’ experience with historic restoration was put to the test on a recent project to restore the entrance to Xavier Hall at the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Kansas. The University of Saint Mary is a private Catholic university established in 1870. Located at 4100 S 4th Street on the east side of Saint Mary Hall, Xavier Hall was completed in 1915 and houses a large auditorium used for theatre productions and concerts. Th...
Western Specialty Contractors Repairs Structural Slabs at Mississippi Terrace Apartments in Keokuk, IA
Mississippi Terrace Apartments ST. LOUIS, MO – Western Specialty Contractors – St. Louis Concrete Branch recently completed restoration work on structural slabs supporting the Keokuk Housing Authority’s Mississippi Terrace apartments in Keokuk, IA. Constructed in the 1960s, Mississippi Terrace is a five-story, 90,956-square-foot tenant building overlooking the Mississippi River. It’s one of the few structures in the country with post tension cables supporting a habitual space. Years...
Western Specialty Contractors’ Sheet Metal Division Restores Nine Aging Well Houses for Missouri American Water in Joplin
KANSAS CITY, MO – Western Specialty Contractor’s Architectural Sheet Metal Division in Kansas City is being praised by Missouri American Water for its installation of custom sheet metal panels on the facades of nine aging well house buildings in Joplin, MO. A well house or pump house is a small structure or shelter built over a water well. Its primary role is to protect the mechanical components, including the pump and pipes, from weather elements such as wind, rain, and snow, extending the l...
Video: Rebuild LA, Fireproof LA: One Home at a Time
In the aftermath of devastating wildfires, recovery extends far beyond initial cleanup. It's a continuous process of helping communities rebuild their lives through technical expertise, compassion, and resilience planning. Our team, led by Dr. Kit Miyamoto, has been working alongside homeowners in Topanga, California following recent fires. One of the most impactful aspects of our work occurs during the crucial assessment phase. Recently, while visiting a 76-year-old homeowner's property,...
Building a safer future: Rice researcher works to strengthen Haiti’s earthquake resilience
A 2010 photo taken in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti (stock photo). Over the past two decades, Haiti has endured the devastation of two catastrophic earthquakes — first in 2010 and again in 2021. Each disaster left behind widespread destruction: buildings reduced to rubble, entire communities displaced and an overwhelming loss of life. A major factor in the severity of these tragedies was the widespread structural failure of poorly designed buildings, many of which were not constructed to withstand...
Western Specialty Contractors Restores Concrete Parking Garage in Chesterfield, MO
LOUIS, MO (March 12, 2025) – Western Specialty Contractor’s St. Louis Concrete Branch recently restored the concrete parking garage at 400 Chesterfield Center in Chesterfield, MO. Constructed in 1984, the six-story Chesterfield Center offers 300 surface and 60 covered spaces in its sub-surface parking garage. Exploratory openings were made at the bottom of each PT beams by Western Specialty Contractors and evaluated by a structural engineer. Evaluation by the engineer determined the post tens...
Video: New Roundabout Under Construction at McIver and Old Florence Roads in Darlington County
Promenade at The Point
June Issue 2026
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