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Brick Facade Collapses at Historic Building

Damage Occurred During Construction of Watermark Hotel

Press Release: The Watermark Hotel
December 6, 2002
SAN ANTONIO, TX -- The Watermark Hotel, a historic building in downtown San Antonio currently under construction as an upscale luxury hotel and European-style spa and fitness center, Wednesday suffered damages to the exterior facade facing Commerce Street. The brick facade wall collapsed at approximately 8:45 a.m. during construction that encompasses an adaptive restoration of the existing 70,000 square foot, four-story building to a 120,000 square foot, seven-story structure. Construction to the Watermark Hotel also involves a total redevelopment of the L. Frank Saddlery building.

The wall collapse resulted in non-life threatening injuries to one construction worker and one pedestrian. The injured persons were transported to University Hospital and Brook Army Medical Center.

"The hotel and project team is concerned about the individuals who sustained injuries as a result of the collapse and is also grateful that there were no major injuries or casualties," commented Michael Bazar, future general manager of the Watermark. "Our primary concern is safety, both for our workers and pedestrians. Bricks and mortar are truly secondary."

Engineers and contractors are assessing the damage currently and no estimates have been released.

The project design team includes HKS Inc. of Dallas, architect; Lyda Builders, San Antonio, contractor; Hirsch Bedner Associates, Santa Monica, interior designer; and Project Control Inc., San Antonio, project manager.

The Watermark Hotel is slated to become San Antonio's finest luxury hotel and spa and one of the most spectacular in the southwest, with design elements and levels of service that will attract international attention. Upon completion of construction and the adaptive restoration, the hotel will offer 99 luxury guest rooms and suites ranging in size from 400 to 600 square feet, each featuring high ceilings, marble bathrooms, separate water closets, showers and Jacuzzi baths. Guests will enjoy beautiful views of the world-famous River Walk and San Antonio skyline. The Watermark Hotel will also include 4,500 square feet of meeting space for private events, receptions and corporate meetings and a 17,000 square foot European style spa with 20 treatment rooms.

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Contact: 
     Stevens Group Public Relations, Houston
     Melissa Stevens, 800/279-9249
     melissa@sgpr.com

Source: The Watermark Hotel