Page 1 | PC Construction Company

C A S E ST U DY: L A K E P L A C I D LO D G E

LocationLake Placid, New York

Contract Value$20 million

Completion DateDecember 2008

Delivery MethodCM at-Risk

OwnerRamsfield Hospitality Finance

ArchitectTruex Cullins Architects AwardsAGC Build New York Honorable Mention

ChallengeThe Lake Placid Lodge is the epitome of the grandiose wooden palaces – collectively dubbed the “Great Camps” – built throughout the Adirondack Mountains during the Gilded Age. Originally built as a private residence in 1882, the property evolved into one of the Adirondacks’ most exclusive retreats during the 20th century. But in December 2005, a massive fire burned the lodge to the ground. Shortly after the devastating blaze, it was decided to rebuild it in such a way as to capture the original splendor and spirit. The PC Construction team was challenged to recreate the aged-rustic appearance and patina in a new building constructed using modern techniques.

SolutionThe new $20 million 25,000-square-foot Lake Placid Lodge was built in the same style as the original structure – a traditional Adirondack rustic cabin – with heavy timber framing, intricate twig work finishes and 17 uniquely designed and crafted indoor and outdoor fireplaces. Each of the lodge’s guest suites features one-of-a-kind furniture made by different artisans, and each room has a balcony with a view of the lake and mountains.

Other features include a 70-seat formal dining room and dining porches, a large full-service restaurant kitchen, conference facilities, a library with large columns of yellow birch installed with the bark intact, an expansive wine cellar, and a pub. Local materials were used in the recreation of the building as well as furniture, furnishings, and art. The intricate railings are fashioned of sticks and twigs found in the surrounding North Country woods. Finishes also include imported French oak flooring and finely-detailed grouse and pinecones hand carved in butternut.

Interior Photos by Vermont Photo Creations; Evening Exterior Photo by Gary Hall Photography

Page 2 | PC Construction Company

C A S E ST U DY: L A K E P L A C I D LO D G E

The desire to have all of the wood finishes in the building appear as though they were installed over 100 years ago added significant complexity to the architectural finish process. Since there was no specification for a patinated finish, and no way to purchase pre-aged and distressed millwork, it was left to PC Construction to develop a solution. Collaborating with several local artisans, PC developed innovative design and construction plans to recreate the sense of place from the original Lake Placid Lodge.

As an example, PC Construction used its own work forces to manually distress and sand each board to achieve the required patinated look and feel. The level of treatment depended on the application of the particular board in the finished building: stair rails and balusters received treatment to replicate rough use, wall paneling a smoother treatment, and exposed timber framing was treated to make the beams appear hand-hewn. ResultsThe Lake Placid Lodge seemed beyond recovery following the fire but with the help of local artisans and a team of architects, PC Construction immediately set to work to not simply rebuild the lodge, but to create a hotel experience unrivaled anywhere. Built mostly by hand, the finished project masterfully captures the spirit of an Adirondack Great Camp and the essence of the original hotel.