Waas Construction Company
Renovation Project at Colony Hotel
Features American Olean from D&B Tile
Richard Waas started Waas Construction Company in May, 1973. He was 22 years old atthe time. They recently celebrated their 41st anniversary in business this year. His daughter Elena has a degree in construction management from Florida International University. She is also a licensed general contractor and has been working with the company for the past eight years.
“We are heavily involved in the construction industry. I served as local and state president and national vice president of the Associated Builders & Contractors. Our company specializes in commercial construction with projects in medical, hospitality and retail as well as a number of churches and temples.
“We began working during the off season 14 years ago in the Colony Hotel, which is a 93-room five-star boutique hotel on Palm Beach, FL. That was the beginning of our renovation work there.
“Our work was concentrated on the guest rooms and bathrooms. Last year we began our second phase of renovations on the bathrooms to bring them current with today's styles. This involves new tubs, showers, fixtures and tile. We are also working in the Colony Village across the street. These are two and three-bedroom apartments that are rented by the month. Throughout this time period, we have also renovated the lobby, restaurant and executive offices within the hotel. This particular renovation will be completed on schedule with a grand opening scheduled in October of this year.
“The tile for this project was purchased by us from D&B Tile Distributors. My association with D&B goes all the way back to our involvement with the Associated Builders & Contractors. I met Dave Yarborough and his son Harold and have worked with them since the late 1970's. I try to do as much business as possible with D&B Tile. We work with Carole Schafmeister, one of their design professionals. D&B has done an excellent job of providing us with varied and affordable tile for our construction projects.
“Design firm on this project was Dorothy Draper & Company, Inc., with offices in New York and London. We worked specifically with Brinsley Matthews, Director of Design and Operations. In addition to his work with the Colony Hotel, Mr. Matthews has created designs and interiors for the 2008 Academy Awards, the Greenbrier Resort Hotel, The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, The Royal Palace in Vilnius, Lithuania, the Ritz Carlton Residences in Dallas as well as numerous commercial, residential and hospitality properties in more than 18 states, the Caribbean, England, Canada and Ireland. He studied fine art and antiques in Dublin and at Sotheby's London. He was involved from an early age in restoration and furnishing of period homes.
“His design here at the Colony Hotel involved Phase one of the Guest Restroom Renovation of showers and bathtub surrounds. We are now installing Phase two. The bathrooms were renovated with American Olean Mosaics AO62 Glacier 1x1 for the walls and AOA25 Ice white 1x1 Unglazed Mosaic on the floors with Vidrepur Lux White 409 1x1 glass mosaic interspersed on the shower floors to resemble water and rain droplets. Tile contractor on the job is Professional Flooring Contractors.”