The historic Don CeSar Beach Resort on the Gulf of Mexico is an impressive sight. Even more impressive was the task of building a four level addition bordered on three sides by the hotel, wedding courtyard, swimming pool and Beach Comber Grill, all to remain in full operation, while keeping hundreds of construction workers and equipment in the background for 13 months.

     The project was the construction of a 20,932 square feet luxury spa addition, including a ground floor arcade with paver walkways, elevator foyer to the spa, a winding staircase leading to the spa's second floor entrance, expanded seating for the Beach Comber Grill and south pool deck, and the housekeeping and laundry facilities for the spa. The second level includes the spa lobby, salons, men's and women's saltwater whirlpools, steam rooms, locker rooms and changing/toilet rooms. The third level is strictly fitted for spa treatments, including several suites with balconies overlooking the Gulf. The roof top level is an open garden deck with wall fountain, cabanas, fire pit lounge, seating areas and teak bar, all with million dollar views of the beach, the Gulf and the sunsets. The structure is post-tension concrete and masonry on auger cast pilings. The roof is a Kemper system with Wausau concrete pavers on pedestals at the rooftop garden area.

     All finishes were of premium level materials including custom casework and stone tops consisting of a walnut reception desk and guest lockers, teak rooftop bar and whirlpool equipment enclosures, and painted cabinets, workstations, display fixtures, custom wood crown molding, door trim and base. Interior doors included 8' solid core wood doors with antique stain nickel hardware. 

     The spa finishes include multi-barrel arched ceilings with Venetian plaster at the saltwater whirlpools and steam room areas. Flooring includes Italian wood laminate floors, carpet, stone, ceramic and porcelain tile (both floor and wall), including elaborate in-lays, border and pattern work and imported floor medallion mosaics that cost over $300 per square foot just for the material.  The rooftop fountain is imported carved stone. Other amenities include decorator light fixtures, six-station stereo music systems and individual temperature controls in the spa treatment rooms and throughout the facility.

     Thanks to a highly motivated, cooperative Owner, FleischmanGarcia Architecture and the Hennessy project management and subcontractor construction team, the project was an extremely successful project for all.