Motel 6 /Red Roof Inn

162 E. Ontario St.
Chicago, Illinois 60611

Project Description: Rehabilitate high-rise hotel in downtown Chicago and convert from Motel 6 to Red Roof Inn.
Number of Rooms: 196


Principal Project Tasks:
Complete redecoration of rooms and common areas, including removal of wallpaper, patching of cracks and holes, new wall coverings, carpeting, painting, built-in furniture
Renovate bathrooms, including replacement of faucets and shower valves, new doors and frames, floor tile, relocation of lights and switches. Major reconfiguration of nine rooms to permit installation of ADA-compliant handicap baths with roll-in showers, including moving of doors, partitions, doors, plumbing and electrical
Major repairs to HVAC, including replacement of many room units plus valves, pumps, controls, and other parts for central cooling tower
Enlargement and renovation of lobby, including relocation of ceiling, new soffits, partitions, and lighting. New coffee service area, wallpaper and floor tile, front desk and cabinetry
Renovation of elevator cab interiors

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Challenges:
Performing major work on a 16-story pre-WWII structure on a constricted site in downtown Chicago while the hotel remained open for business. No service elevator or room for exterior hoist. No parking lot or staging area. Slow permits. Abat's largest project to date.

What Abat Accomplished: Abat's approach to the complex logistics of this project was threefold:
The top five floors were vacated. Heavy construction began on the upper four floors while leaving the lowest floor as a sound/dust barrier between the work area and the occupied portion of the hotel. As floors were completed, they were returned to occupancy and additional floors were vacated, so that the number of rooms available for use remained constant throughout the project.
Crews operated in two shifts, day and night. All noisy work was done during the day. All materials were brought in and all debris was removed at night through the front door using one of the building's two elevators-the only available access.
Abat rented a 5,OOO-square-foot warehouse several miles away for use as a staging area for materials and equipment. Supplies and equipment were trucked to the job site on as-needed basis each night.

Despite the logistical challenges, permit delays, rigorous city inspections, and other obstacles, Abat completed room renovations three weeks ahead of schedule. The hotel remained open for business as planned with a minimum of complaints from guests.

Email: abat@abatbuilders.us