Legacy Plaza unites seven nonprofits in a three-building complex featuring renovated exteriors with Tubelite’s energy-efficient systems

The new home to seven nonprofit partner organizations, Legacy Plaza encompasses three, renovated buildings on West 31st Street in Tulsa. The transformative community-focused campus was developed and funded through a generous gift from The Anne & Henry Zarrow Foundation. Contributing to the modern appearance and energy-efficient performance of this reimagined building complex, the aging windows were replaced with Tubelite Inc.’s 900RW ribbon window, Series 200 curtainwall and Wide Stile entrance systems.

Designed by KKT Architects, the firm described Legacy Plaza as “a symbol of the active engagement and collaboration of Tulsa area nonprofits, philanthropy and family trusts. This formerly under-utilized, highly visible commercial property consists of two high-rise towers and a matching three-story building. … transformed into highly valued space for its new tenants.”

Formerly the headquarters of Dollar Thrifty, the property originally was constructed in 1975, prior to the advent of commercial window systems with high-performance, low-e, insulated glazing and thermally broken framing members. Along with its non-thermally broken frames and existing 0.25-inch clear, monolithic glass with a reflective bronze film, time and weather had caused the caulking and seals to deteriorate.

Using an energy modeling tool to compare performance data between the existing and proposed window systems, Apogee Renovation forecasted yearly energy savings of $0.56 per square foot. This estimate was based on numerous data points, including improved thermal performance and reduced air infiltration by using Tubelite’s products. The proposed Tubelite system also was confirmed to meet the applied wind loads, as well as the specified air, water and structural integrity required for the building.

Based on the forecast and calculations, Tubelite’s systems were the basis of design when the project went to bid. Glazing contractor APAX Glass managed the phased window system replacement project beginning in 2017 with the East Tower. which had Key Construction as the general contractor. This was followed by the West Tower, which had APAX Glass acting as general contractor and also performing the glazing. On the adjacent three-story property, APAX Glass once again performed the glazing subcontract and LDKerns acted as the general contractor.

For the lower levels, APAX installed Tubelite’s curtainwall and Wide Stile entrance systems. On the upper stories, Tubelite’s ribbon window was inside-glazed to save time and hassle on the job site. The window system’s 2.25-inch-wide by 4.5-inch-deep aluminum framing members were thermally broken and insulated to achieve the project’s specified thermal performance, sound mitigation and condensation resistance.

Chad Hubbanks, vice president/estimator at APAX Glass stated, “This was a very successful project for APAX Glass and opportunity to show the Tulsa community what we are capable of performing. We received tremendous support from Tubelite on all three phases.”

“Without updates, older window systems can create uncomfortable and unproductive interior spaces,” explained Tubelite’s client development manager in Oklahoma, John Wiemer, CDM, CSI, CDT. “Drafts, leaks, noise, glare and uncontrolled temperature fluctuations can cause people to avoid the windows rather than enjoy them. Optimizing window systems’ performance also can help maximize floorspace and tenant satisfaction, which is especially valuable based on the important work being done by these nonprofit organizations.”

In the East Tower, these tenants are Mental Health Association Oklahoma, CAP Tulsa, LIFE Senior Services and Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits. The two in the West Tower are Family & Children’s Services and Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences. The on-campus, three-story building is home to the Assistance League of Tulsa, as well as its clothing distribution and thrift store operations.

According to Tulsa World, the Anne & Henry Zarrow Foundation purchased the three-building campus for $5.9 million in 2015 and provided underwriting for the $60 million renovation project, which included the window replacement.

Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum concluded, “Legacy Plaza is creating an unmatched synergy between our nonprofit sector and the residents served by the many valuable services in Tulsa.”

Legacy Plaza; 5310 East 31st St., Tulsa, OK 74135
* Developer: Anne & Henry Zarrow Foundation; Tulsa, Oklahoma; https://zarrow.org/ahzf
* Architect: KKT Architects; Tulsa, Oklahoma; https://kktarchitects.com
* General contractor – East Tower: Key Construction; Tulsa, Oklahoma; http://www.keyconstruction.com
* General contractor – Adjacent three-story building: LDKerns Contractors, Inc.; Jenks, Oklahoma; http://ldkerns.com/
* General contractor – West Tower, and glazing contractor on all: APAX Glass LLC; Cleveland, Oklahoma; https://apaxglass.com
* Window and curtainwall systems – insulating glass: Vitro Architectural Glass (formerly PPG); Cheswick; Pennsylvania; http://www.vitroglazings.com
* Window and curtainwall systems – energy modeling strategist: Apogee Renovation; Minneapolis; https://www.apogeerenovation.com
* Window, curtainwall and entrance systems – manufacturer: Tubelite Inc.; Walker, Michigan; https://www.tubeliteinc.com
* Window, curtainwall and entrance systems – aluminum finishing: Linetec; Wausau, Wisconsin; https://linetec.com
* Photography: DaybreakPics.com, Sunny Thomas

For additional information or personalized assistance in selecting aluminum fenestration products, please email dependable@tubeliteinc.com or call 800-866-2227.

About Tubelite Inc.

For more than 70 years, glazing contractors have counted on Tubelite’s dependable service, fabrication and distribution of architectural aluminum products. Part of Apogee Enterprises, Inc., the company is an industry leader in eco-efficient storefront, curtainwall and entrance systems, and recognized for its fast, reliable and consistent delivery.

Tubelite’s corporate office, fabrication, warehouse and shipping operations are located in Walker, Michigan. Its Dallas location provides additional fabrication, warehouse and shipping operations. Its facility in Reed City, Michigan, houses the company’s aluminum extrusion operation. The company also has offices in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and Warwick, Rhode Island.

Tubelite and its staff are members of the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), the National Glass Association/Glass Association of North America (NGA/GANA), the Society of Military Engineers (SAME) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

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East Carolina University renovates, expands football stadium with Tubelite’s doors, windows, curtainwall and storefront

East Carolina University’s (ECU‘s) first 2019-20 home football game resulted in a win and ushered in the beginning of a new era for Pirates fans at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. The recently completed, $60 million, southside renovation added 1,000 premium seats in TowneBank Tower. Pirates Club premium seat holders now are welcomed through entrances and façade systems created with Tubelite Inc.’s doors, curtainwall, ribbon windows and storefront.

The 93,000-square-foot TowneBank Tower rises nine stories and spans the top of the south-side seats between the 15-yard lines. It encompasses five founders suites, 19 standard suites, 22 loge boxes and 550 club seats. The top level of the tower also houses a new press box and game-day operations center.

Along with the TowneBank Tower, renovation of the Wards Sports Medicine Building also was part of the project scope. Expansions and modernizations were made to the Ward building’s football locker room, team meeting areas, athletics training headquarters and equipment room. A football team lounge also was added to the existing structure.

Designed by architectural firm LS3P Associates Ltd. of Wilmington, North Carolina, the Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium southside renovation project team also involved AECOM and the joint venture general contractors of TA Loving Co. and Frank L. Blum Construction Co. Early in the project’s development, Apogee Renovation consulted on high-performance glass, aluminum framing and window system solutions that included Tubelite’s products.

“Apogee Renovation‘s energy modeling tools, building analysis and specification assistance services allow building owners and project teams to better determine which window systems should be considered for replacement to gain the optimal appearance, performance, long-term value and savings,” said Mary Avery, Tubelite’s vice president of marketing. “Everyone benefits when aging buildings can be upgraded to be more effective, efficient and comfortable. This is a free service offered through any of the Apogee companies including Tubelite.”

LS3P specified Tubelite‘s extruded aluminum products both on the public façade that everyone sees, and on the interior glazing systems visible only to those inside stadium. These interior framing systems provide views from TowneBank Tower to the field, as well as transparency and separation between the premium suites, loge level, press level and the main concourses.

It was a challenging project from the earliest stages of the project, according to glazing contractor Jeffreys Aluminum Group, Inc. “Before the project began, we needed to find a system that would load structurally and withstand the stacking pressures at the top/press level of the tower on the field side,” said Cameron Jeffreys, Jr., vice president.

He added, “The biggest challenge on this project was erecting the curtainwall framing and setting the glass on the southside tower off of scaffolding. And of course, time was a big concern.”

Jeffreys continued, “This was a project that we were really excited to take on due to the complexity and challenges that it presented. Tubelite was a big help in choosing and pre-engineering an inside glazed system that would withstand the forces on the press level.”

On both the interior and exterior, Jeffreys Aluminum Group installed all of Tubelite’s products: Therml=Block® Wide Stile Entrances and 900RW Series Ribbon Window, 400CW Series Curtainwall, T14000 I/O Series Thermal storefront, and E14000 Series and E14000 I/O Series Multipane Storefront Framing systems.

All of Tubelite’s architectural aluminum products on the renovated and expanded tower were finished by Linetec. The exterior curtainwall, windows and entrance systems feature a Class I clear anodize. The interior storefront systems are finished using a 70% PVDF resin-based architectural coating in a Sea Wolf light beige color. These durable finishes protect the aluminum, contribute to its low-maintenance longevity, and meet the required performance and desired appearance.

The original stadium opened in 1963 and consisted of the permanent stands on the south side and a small press box. There had not been any additions on the southside of the facility since an updated press box was erected in 1978. The last significant construction project at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium was the 2010 completion of a 7,000-seat expansion in the east end zone that brought capacity to approximately 50,000.

Demolition work began in 2017 and a groundbreaking event for the new tower was held in Jan. 2018. “We had to tear down the old to welcome the new,” said Board Chairman Kieran Shanahan at a “topping out” construction milestone celebration in July 2018.

As noted, coordinated scheduling was also critical to the project’s success. “Jeffreys holds a reputation of delivering on time, and Tubelite has always been a good partner in making that a priority,” praised Jeffreys. “Along with the reliability, Tubelite is always competitive in pricing and with material lead times. And, members of the Tubelite team are always super-helpful and there for us when needed.”

J.J. McLamb, ECU senior associate athletic director, said the renovation and stadium expansion are a testament to the Pirate slogan, “All hands on deck,” as hundreds of workers – including many ECU alumni – have been involved in the planning, development and construction of the facility.

The stadium’s grand opening was celebrated in mid-August 2018 at the beginning of the school year and football season.

“The first thing is it passes the look test,” Jon Gilbert, ECU’s director of athletics, told the North State Journal at a media tour. “I think it’s a transformational structure for our athletic department, for our football program and for our community.

Gilbert continued, “It is state-of-the-art. It is a first-class facility. And I really look at it as a community asset because we will have a lot more things in this building other than football events.” He also noted that the new facility “should enhance our gameday atmosphere and enhance our recruiting as well.”

“The TowneBank Tower and other aspects of the Southside Renovation Project are really enhancing the experience for everyone associated with East Carolina football,” added Gilbert. “We are so appreciative to Bob Aston and TowneBank for their investment in ECU Athletics.”

“We are absolutely thrilled to make this investment, not just in East Carolina football, but in the vitality of the entire region,” said G. Robert Aston, executive chairman of TowneBank. “Nothing is bigger in eastern North Carolina than Pirate football, and we know how much this spectacular addition to the stadium means to the players, coaches and fans.”

East Carolina University (ECU), Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Southside renovation and expansion; 100 Ficklen Dr., Greenville, NC 27858; https://ecupirates.com
* Owner: East Carolina University; Greenville, North Carolina; https://www.ecu.edu
* Architect: LS3P Associates Ltd.; Wilmington, North Carolina; https://www.ls3p.com
* Associate architect: AECOM, https://www.aecom.com
* General contractor – joint venture:
– TA Loving Co.; Goldsboro, North Carolina; https://www.taloving.com
– Frank L. Blum Construction Co.; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; https://www.flblum.com
* Glazing contractor: Jeffreys Aluminum Group, Inc.; Mebane, North Carolina
* Window, curtainwall, storefront and entrance systems – insulating glass: Vitro Architectural Glass, Solarban® 70 on Atlantica®; Cheswick, Pennsylvania; http://www.vitroglazings.com
* Window, curtainwall, storefront and entrance systems – energy modeling strategist: Apogee Renovation; Minneapolis; https://www.apogeerenovation.com
* Window, curtainwall, storefront and entrance systems – manufacturer: Tubelite Inc.; Walker, Michigan; https://www.tubeliteinc.com
* Window, curtainwall, storefront and entrance systems – aluminum finishing: Linetec; Wausau, Wisconsin; https://linetec.com
* Photography: Farid Sani
* Video – construction time-lapse: https://app.oxblue.com/open/TALFLB/DFS-SSR

About Tubelite Inc.

For media inquiries, please contact Heather West, heather@heatherwestpr.com.

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Oklahoma’s Cattlemen’s Steakhouse continues to welcome generations of hungry patrons through Tubelite’s doors

In 1910, Cattlemen’s Café opened its doors in Oklahoma’s stockyards to serve cowboys, ranchers, cattle haulers and other hungry people. In 2020, the restaurant will mark its 110th year as the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Oklahoma City. Several decades its junior, Tubelite Inc. will celebrate its 75th year in business. These companies’ shared history is connected by the very doors that have welcomed patrons into the restaurant for generations.

“The door of a high-traffic entry, like a restaurant, could see literally hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of openings and closings every year,” said Tubelite’s client development manager in Oklahoma, John Wiemer, CDM, CSI, CDT. “Unlike welded doors which require a total door replacement, Tubelite’s doors feature tie-rod assembly.”

As the name describes, Tubelite’s tie-rod constructed doors use steel rods across the top and bottom of the door. The rods are anchored in the vertical stiles and thread through the horizontal rails, tying the stiles to each other with the rails gripped in between. The rods have threaded ends, and are secured with locknuts on both sides. Welded corners have a bracket that gets screwed onto the stile and then welded to the rail. Shear clip corners have a small piece of aluminum channel that is fastened to the stiles and then bolted to the top and bottom rails. In nearly 75 years, Tubelite has no reported failures of its tie-rod doors.

“This durable construction allows our doors to be refurbished, replacing worn parts such as hardware, providing reliable use year after year. With constant use, a door may need some adjustments to ensure smooth operation and performance,” explained Wierner.

With Tubelite’s tie-rod construction, a local installer can adjust the glass blocks and fasteners to bring door leaves back to square with the openings. Replacing the weathering and seals can enhance the entryway for optimal air tightness. Surface wear from millions of contacts with users, such as a well worn rail or a stile, can be replaced. This local approach to maintaining and modifying existing doors may be considerably less expensive, and less wasteful, than full replacement.

Building upon its original structure, Cattlemen’s Café expanded throughout the years. Preserving its classic character, the interior of Cattlemen’s Café features red vinyl booths and low countertop seating that resemble the décor from its early days. The Cattlemen’s Steakhouse was added in the 1950s catering to couples and families going out to enjoy a meal together. Cattlemen’s diners now have a choice of café or restaurant seating, but, regardless of where they sit, everyone orders from the same menu.

While Tubelite’s customers have more options than ever, all continue to depend upon the same, durable tie-rod construction of Tubelite’s doors. Meeting modern performance requirements, Tubelite’s doors can be specified for blast mitigation, hurricane impact resistance and energy efficiency in a choice of sizes, glass types and finishes.

Like its doors, Cattlemen’s has withstood the test of time, spanning two world wars and 19 Presidents. Many veterans, leaders and celebrities have sat at Cattlemen’s tables – from Ronald Regan and George H.W. Bush to John Wayne and Reba McEntire. Adding to its recognition, the town is known as Historic Stockyard City and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Photography: DaybreakPics.com, Sunny Thomas

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Colorado hospital’s ER renovation and expansion features Tubelite’s storefront, curtainwall and entrance systems

Photographer: Matt Puckett UCHealth’s Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, expanded its patient services with the renovation and addition of its emergency room (ER) department. The 185,000-square-foot, three-story ER features Tubelite Inc.’s storefront, curtainwall and entrance systems to create the welcoming exterior and the comfortable, daylit interior.

Originally built in 1925, the original hospital had been renovated and expanded many times. The former ER space was built to treat 25,000 patients per year, but in 2016, approximately 53,000 patients were cared for there. The new ER can accommodate future growth of the community and can care for up to 100,000 patients annually.

Photographer: Matt Puckett At 55,543 square feet, the new ER is more than three times the size of the hospital’s former emergency space and offers up to 64 beds. The new facility also features a clinical laboratory, a retail pharmacy, a rooftop helipad and an orthopedics unit. UCHealth noted that the new orthopedic unit, on the second floor, “has large rooms with natural light and a rehabilitation gym that gives patients an area to improve their mobility and health without the feel of being in a hospital.”

Inviting the natural light and framing the views, Commercial Glass, Inc. installed Tubelite Inc.’s 400 Series curtainwall and T14000 I/O Series storefront. For the entrances, Tubelite’s Wide Stile Doors, with 5-inch-wide stiles and 10-inch bottom rails, were selected for the heavy-use likely to be experienced in the hospital’s ER.

Enhancing the dependable reputation of Tubelite’s architectural aluminum products, Linetec finished all of the materials for Poudre Valley Hospital’s ER in Class I clear anodize. The resulting finish withstands continuous use, cleans easily and requires minimal maintenance. In addition, Linetec provided thermal improvement services to minimize temperature transfer and insulate the exterior surfaces from the interior.

Photographer: Matt Puckett “Our thermally improved storefront systems achieve the specified thermal performance and contribute to condensation resistance, which also minimize the potential for mold and mildew,” said Mary Avery, Tubelite’s vice president of marketing. “These combined attributes support the hospital’s energy savings goals, as well as provide a healthy, comfortable, open space for patients and other people to enjoy.”

General contractor Hensel Phelps described the $59.5 million project as “shoe-horned in the northeast corner of the campus and tied into the existing hospital at a number of locations.” The project is part of a larger $100 million expansion that included new and renovated neonatal intensive care units.

“Because the existing hospital underwent a series of additions over its lifespan, the aggregated structure has multiple levels with differing floor elevations and differing floor-to-floor heights resulting in a challenging design to connect the existing building to the new addition,” explained Hensel Phelps.

Photographer: Matt Puckett In collaboration with architects at H+L Architecture (now TreanorHL) the project team used integrated project delivery principles, virtual design and construction, as well as laser scanning to coordinate the existing conditions with the new design. Working together, the project was completed in 19 months and opened in Feb. 2017.

The new emergency department at Poudre Valley Hospital is part of a 270-bed regional medical center offering a wide array of treatments, surgeries and diagnostic tests in more than three dozen medical specialties. This medical center specializes in orthopedic surgery, neuroscience, cancer, bariatric weight-loss surgery, and women and family services for residents of northern Colorado, southern Wyoming and western Nebraska. Its team of more than 2,000 health care professionals delivers personal and skilled care that uses the latest medical technologies.

Kevin Unger, CEO and president of Poudre Valley Hospital and Medical Center of the Rockies, said he is delighted by the design of the new emergency department addition. “The all-private, state-of-the-art rooms designed around pods can be opened and closed depending on patient volume. The waiting room is very small because we want all patients to see a provider immediately after entering the facility, and I also love that the helicopter pad is on the roof above the new emergency department.”

Poudre Valley Hospital, Emergency Room addition, 1024 S. Lemay Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80524
* Owner: UCHealth; Denver; https://www.uchealth.org
* Architect: H+L Architecture (now TreanorHL); Denver; https://www.treanorhl.com
* General contractor: Hensel Phelps; Greeley, Colorado; https://www.henselphelps.com
* Glazing contractor: Commercial Glass, Inc.; Loveland, Colorado; http://www.commercial-glass.com
* Glazing system – storefront, curtainwall and entrance systems manufacturer: Tubelite Inc.; Walker, Michigan; https://www.tubeliteinc.com
* Glazing system – storefront, curtainwall and entrance systems finishing: Linetec; Wausau, Wisconsin; https://linetec.com
* Photographer: Matt Puckett Photography

_{About Tubelite Inc.}

_{For more than 70 years, glazing contractors have counted on Tubelite’s dependable service, fabrication and distribution of architectural aluminum products. Part of Apogee Enterprises, Inc., the company is an industry leader in eco-efficient storefront, curtainwall and entrance systems, and recognized for its fast, reliable and consistent delivery.}

_{Tubelite’s corporate office, fabrication, warehouse and shipping operations are located in Walker, Michigan. Its Dallas location provides additional fabrication, warehouse and shipping operations. Its facility in Reed City, Michigan, houses the company’s aluminum extrusion operation. The company also has an office in Warwick, Rhode Island.}

_{Tubelite and its staff are members of the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), the National Glass Association/Glass Association of North America (NGA/GANA), the Society of Military Engineers (SAME) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).}

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UCHealth Cancer Center renovates lobby with Tubelite’s storefront and entrance systems

Photographer: Matt Puckett UCHealth Cancer Center in Fort Collins, Colorado, recently renovated its Harmony Campus’ lobby and entry to provide a more hospitable welcome for patients, staff and visitors. Designed by CBRE | Heery, Inc., in association with FreemanWhite, the cancer center’s new entrance features natural light and views framed with Tubelite Inc.’s storefront systems.

A service of Poudre Valley Hospital and the region’s leading cancer center, UCHealth expanded its facility to serve the growing number of patients generated by the area’s increasing population, and heightened awareness of cancer prevention and treatment options.

Photographer: Matt Puckett Compared to the estimated costs to build a new facility, the $10.7 million, 44,390-square-foot renovation and expansion to the existing structure offered savings without disrupting patient care. General contractor Adolfson & Peterson Construction managed the expansion in phases to allow the cancer center to remain operational throughout construction. During the main phase of construction, a 32,150-square-foot, two-story addition was built to house a medical infusion area and the interior of the cancer center was renovated with the new lobby and entrance.

To create this warm, welcoming environment, CBRE | Heery, Inc. specified Tubelite’s storefront framing and Medium Stile doors. Installed by Commercial Glass, Inc., the aluminum framing systems are engineered with thermal barriers to minimize temperature transfer and insulate the exterior surfaces from the interior.

Tubelite relies on Linetec as its single source solution for thermally improving and finishing of the aluminum framing. Enhancing the storefront system’s appearance and durability, Linetec finished the framing in two colors: a champagne anodize and a custom “Loveland Teal” PVDF resin-based coating. The resulting finish withstands continuous use, cleans easily and requires minimal maintenance.

Photographer: Matt Puckett Beyond the lobby and entry, the UCHealth Cancer Center added a “Main Street” pedestrian corridor to link the lobby with the renovated oncology suite and a new outdoor healing garden. A nutritional center, physical rehabilitation services, alternative medicine therapies and a flexible conference center were among the other additions completed in future construction phases.

UCHealth’s Poudre Valley Hospital also specializes in orthopedic surgery, neuroscience, bariatric weight-loss surgery, as well as women and family services. The Level III trauma center offers a wide array of treatments, surgeries and diagnostic tests in more than three dozen medical specialties. The hospital contains 11 surgical suites, 12 intensive care units and a Level III neonatal intensive care unit. The hospital employs more than 2,000 health care professionals to deliver personal and skilled care using the latest medical technologies.

UCHealth Cancer Center, a service of Poudre Valley Hospital, Harmony Campus,
2121 East Harmony Rd., Fort Collins, Colorado 80528
Photographer: Matt Puckett * Owner: UCHealth; Denver; https://www.uchealth.org
* Architects: CBRE | Heery, Inc.; Denver; https://www.heery.com
* Architects – healthcare design: FreemanWhite, a Haskell Company; Charlotte, North Carolina; https://freemanwhite.com
* General contractor: Adolfson & Peterson Construction; Minneapolis; http://www.a-p.com
* Glazing contractor: Commercial Glass, Inc.; Loveland, Colorado; http://www.commercial-glass.com
* Glazing system – storefront and entrance systems manufacturer: Tubelite Inc.; Walker, Michigan; https://www.tubeliteinc.com
* Glazing system – storefront and entrance systems finishing: Linetec; Wausau, Wisconsin; https://linetec.com
* Photographer: Matt Puckett Photography

_{About Tubelite Inc.}

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