projects full case study

OVERVIEW

Country Club Towers added nearly one million square feet to Denver’s Cherry Creek skyline, creating a landmark residential development. The project includes 552 residential units, rising more than 300 feet above grade, with a building footprint extending over 450 feet.

Our engineers partnered with the entire project team to deliver a concrete structure capable of supporting a rigid construction schedule while meeting specific performance requirements. The project ultimately demonstrated what’s possible when engineering and construction teams work together seamlessly.

APPROACH

From the moment we joined the project team, our approach focused on developing structural systems that supported an accelerated construction schedule while maintaining long-term building performance.

We strategically arranged planar concrete shear walls in combination with a central concrete core to resist wind forces and minimize building movement. By integrating many of the shear walls, we were also able to conceal structural elements within the architectural program. This allowed us to maximize usable space and preserve unobstructed views for residents.

To support the project’s schedule, we worked with the contractor and concrete supplier to develop concrete mix designs that allowed post-tensioned slabs to be stressed within 24 hours of placement. This approach enabled floor-to-floor construction and helped maintain the project’s demanding pace.

Our team also performed extensive long-term deformation analyses to evaluate the effects of concrete shrinkage and creep on the structure over its service life. Based on these findings, we incorporated specialized detailing and material strategies to accommodate anticipated movement and maintain performance.

CHALLENGE

The contractor’s goal of completing both towers within 288 days required an exceptionally fast-paced construction schedule. A new slab level nearly every week demanded close coordination and continuous communication between all members of the team.

The building’s distinctive cantilevered balconies introduced additional complexity. The saw-toothed geometry required post-tensioning tendon layouts with unique lengths throughout the structure.

From a structural engineering perspective, occupant comfort during high-wind events was a critical design element. The height and length of the building required a highly efficient lateral system capable of limiting story drift and building movement.

RESULTS

Country Club Towers came together through strong collaboration between the engineering and construction teams, delivering a complex two-tower project on an accelerated schedule.

The development added more than 550 high-end units with unobstructed views and flexible floor plans. An efficient concrete shear wall system reduced structural impacts on the architecture, allowing for more open and livable spaces.

Despite the project’s scale, both towers were completed in less than 10 months. The team executed 54 slab placements and fast-paced post-tensioning operations while maintaining schedule commitments. More than 46,000 cubic yards of concrete were placed, highlighting both the size of the project and the efficiency of the construction approach.

The result was a high-performance residential development that met its architectural vision, construction goals, and delivery schedule.