Escapes to the Shores

Orange Beach, Alabama

Original plans called for individual roof-top HVAC units, but with high humidity levels and salty air, potential life cycle costs of roof maintenance were high. Hoar studied alternative systems for heating and cooling, and as a result, the decision was made to use a cooling tower and locate it on the top level of the fourth floor parking garage. The equipment would service each condo unit through a water source heat pump. The study also enabled Hoar to identify $1,313,074 in value engineering options, of which $1,054,860 was accepted. During construction, Hoar recognized a way to increase the value of the penthouse units. The initial drawings called for 80 FT of roof on the east and west sides of the penthouses. We suggested including a balcony in both those areas instead of a roof at a cost of just $100,000. Because the small change significantly increased value, the owner agreed.