The $30 million Hiatus Clearwater Beach in Clearwater Beach, Florida, welcomed its first guests in December 2023. PENETRON ADMIX SB, a crystalline waterproofing admixture delivered in soluble bags, was specified as the concrete waterproofing solution to protect the below-grade foundation structures and elevator pits from the marine environment.
A barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico off Florida’s west coast, Clearwater Beach is connected to the rest of the city of Clearwater by the Clearwater Memorial Causeway. Characterized by white sand beaches stretching for 2.5 miles (4 km) along the Gulf, Clearwater Beach is frequently ranked one of the best beaches in the United States. It has a full marina on the Intracoastal Waterway side, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and offers shopping, restaurants, and a range of outdoor activities such as parasailing, jet ski rentals, fishing, and boat tours.
Located at the southern end of the Beachwalk public promenade and adjacent to the well-known Frenchy’s South Beach Café, the new Hiatus Clearwater Beach (part of the Curio Collection by Hilton) was designed by Behar + Peteranecz Architecture and built by Baker Construction. The seven-story beachfront hotel features 88 guest rooms, a rooftop pool and bar, and a rooftop restaurant, all situated on top of a three-story 90-space parking garage.
“Because the Hiatus Clearwater Beach construction site is across the street from Clearwater Beach, only a few feet from the lapping waves of the Gulf of Mexico, the below-grade structures of the hotel needed protection from a lot of groundwater present at the site,” explains Dale Williams, General Sales Manager for Penetron USA.
The local Penetron team worked together with CEMEX, the ready-mix concrete supplier, to provide an optimal concrete mix for the below-grade concrete foundation structures – including the foundation slabs and retaining walls – and elevator pits of the hotel tower. PENETRON ADMIX SB, a crystalline waterproofing admixture, was specified for the concrete mix.
Once mixed into the concrete, the proprietary chemicals in PENETRON ADMIX SB react with moisture and concrete minerals to form insoluble crystals throughout the entire concrete matrix. The insoluble crystals forming within the cracks and voids of the concrete matrix reduce concrete permeability, provide corrosion mitigation and self-healing abilities to seal hairline cracks over the service life of the structure.
“The self-healing capability of the concrete basement structures of the Hiatus Clearwater Beach Hotel virtually eliminates the need for any future maintenance,” adds Dale Williams. “Once added to the mix, PENETRON ADMIX SB can extend the service life of concrete structures by 60 or more years, even in the marine climate with constant exposure to seawater and chloride ions, both potential sources of concrete deterioration.”
Protected from marine environment by Penetron: The Hiatus Clearwater Beach Hotel features 88 guest rooms, rooftop pool and bar, rooftop restaurant – and a waterproof concrete foundation.
