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Karotkin Facade Collapse Story by Margaret Foster
In San Antonio, Tex., the facade of a 102-year-old building collapsed yesterday, injuring two construction workers who were integrating the wall into a new boutique hotel. "We don't really know what happened yet," says Ann McGloan, the city's historic preservation officer. "It was a construction problem." A facade was all that remained of the Karotkin Building, whose other walls were demolished earlier this year to make way for the new hotel. Located three blocks from the Alamo in downtown San Antonio, the Renaissance revival building was erected in 1900 and was used as a furniture store from 1924-1979. The Karotkin Building, listed as one of San Antonio's historically significant structures, was the city's last example of architect Solon L. McAdoo's commercial designs. Hotel developer Patrick J. Kennedy bought the four-story building in 1992, hoping to construct a seven-story spa and hotel in its place. Kennedy's team planned to restore the original brick-and-terra-cotta facade that was covered by metal and plaster in 1968. Facade-only renovations are uncommon in San Antonio, McGloan says. "It's not our first choice," she says. "Our ordinance only protects the exterior of the building. There's a flaw in our system." The city is now investigating the cause of the collapse. The 99-room Watermark Hotel is scheduled to open in November 2003. |
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