In anticipation of a resurgence in the long-sluggish hotel market surrounding Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, Raymond Management Co. broke ground nearly a year ago on its nine-story, 253-room Hilton Garden Inn Chicago-O'Hare Airport hotel in Des Plaines.

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The hotel represents one of the largest Hilton Garden Inn properties to be constructed within the United States.

The Madison-based owner/developer had conceptualized bringing this hotel product to the O'Hare market four years ago.

"We felt we had a product and an idea and were able to obtain a site," said Jeffrey Raymond, president of Raymond Management. "We closed two weeks after Sept. 11."

With the entire hotel industry hitting a severe slump after the terrorist attacks, the project at 2930 S. River Rd. was put on hold. It is now scheduled to be complete this summer.

Raymond isn't the only owner showing confidence in the O'Hare hotel market.

The 362-suite Renaissance Chicago O'Hare Hotel has been empty since its completion in early 2003, but its new owners plan to open in February. A 206-room La Quinta Inn & Suites-O'Hare is also slated to open this fall.

He added that the Hilton Garden Inn's amenities would attract small groups or two-day seminar events. Features include 7,000 sq. ft of flexible meeting space with high-tech capabilities; 24-hour complimentary business center; fitness center; indoor swimming pool; and full-service restaurant. The property will also provide on-grade parking for 238 vehicles.

Preparing the Site

The 3.25-acre site contained a 40-year-old bowling alley and restaurant. Due to the age of the former 32,000-sq.-ft. structure, an asbestos study was required, and the hazardous material was found in the building's flooring, ceiling tiles, piping and insulation.

"The asbestos had to be removed prior to doing any demolition," said Steve Miller, project manager with Rosemont-based McShane Construction Corp., the project's general contractor.

After the Elgin-based American Demolition Corp. removed the asbestos, the structure's basement was excavated and removed, along with the asphalt and all underground utilities.

"Because of the differences in construction methods, the standards of materials used were of less quality than now, so we were removing more material than typical," Miller added. "We had to get rid of the foundations and start with a new site."

Specifically, the underground utilities, storm and sanitary system were deteriorated, and the water main was cracked. Some materials such as the brick and steel were recycled.

After excavation, the site was raised approximately 3 ft. with fill material, which was then compacted to a compression level to support the building.

The nearby Des Plaines River also posed a challenge.

"Because we were so close to the Des Plaines River, the water table is high above the slab of the basement," Miller said.

Instead of digging well points, one section of the basement was overexcavated to collect all the water, and then it was pumped out.

McShane staged the site construction by first completing 80 percent of the curbs, gutters and asphalt to store construction material. The new building is also used for temporary storage.

The hotel has two basements, in its northwest and northeast corners, totaling 4,000 sq. ft. Because both basements abut closely to the property line, shotcrete was sprayed on the slope of the soil to prevent it from caving in. The 20-ft.-deep basements will hold the HVAC equipment, which will maximize the first-floor area for the lobby, dining, meeting space and swimming pool.

Opting for Precast

Structural precast concrete was chosen over block construction in anticipation of erecting the building during Chicago's harsh winter months, said Gary Brink, owner and president of his namesake architectural firm in Madison.

Brink said precast panels go up quickly on the site, but coordination is important when they are being cast. "Everything has to be exact; there's no forgiveness after it's cast," he added.

Raymond said the precast system saved money considering today's high steel prices. The structural system is 95 percent precast concrete planks with some supporting steel for the first floor only. The precast plank floors were covered with gypcrete for leveling.

"Due to the size requirements the Hilton Garden Inn has for rooms, and the site restrictions, we cast the electrical into the precast wall panels, which saved room," Miller said.

The 5/8-in. drywall is laminated directly to the concrete panels. This speedy method allows workers to start on the finishes quicker and have an entire floor ready.

The final phase of precast was being erected late in the year on the ninth floor while the second floor had already had windows installed. McShane plans to complete and turn over one floor at a time.

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