Tropic Harbor Condominium is a waterfront community in Delray Beach made up of seven four-story residential buildings with associated carports, two recreation buildings, two pool pump rooms, and a marina. The buildings are cast-in-place reinforced concrete structures on deep pile foundations, with concrete masonry infill walls and stucco finishes.
As the property aged, the Association was facing typical age-related maintenance needs across its buildings. They engaged BillerReinhart to evaluate the existing building conditions, develop a comprehensive restoration plan, and guide each building through its milestone inspection requirements, all while allowing residents to remain in their homes throughout the process.
BillerReinhart began with a condition survey of the property’s readily accessible elements, including walkways and masonry railings, lanai and balcony structures, chase structures, exterior columns and beams, exterior walls, mechanical and storage spaces, carports, and the marina. Our Engineers prepared structural design calculations, developed a signed and sealed Project Manual, and guided the Association through bidding, permitting, and construction.
Throughout the restoration, BillerReinhart remained on site with ongoing weekly inspections, observing contractor progress and sounding and marking the buildings’ exteriors and lanais as work moved across the property.
“From the first condition survey through each building’s milestone close-out, BillerReinhart has stayed with Tropic Harbor as a single engineering partner, adapting to each new need as the community’s restoration program has grown.”
One Continuous Program, Several Areas of Expertise
Façade Restoration
Each building’s restoration followed the same proven sequence, closing out with a renewed building envelope and modern railings.
Milestone Inspection Report Amendments
Following the completion of the restoration project, BillerReinhart issued Milestone Inspection Report Amendments for the restored buildings. Our Engineers accessed the roof, mechanical spaces, common areas, and 100% of the units’ lanais and Florida rooms. No unsafe or dangerous conditions were observed during the inspection; no further repairs were recommended, and each building was found to be in acceptable structural condition and safe to occupy.
Recreational Building Roof
When the roof on the recreational building reached the end of its useful life, the Association returned to BillerReinhart. Our Engineers surveyed the main and mansard roof structures, mechanical stands, and roof drainage system, then prepared wind load and drainage capacity calculations and a signed and sealed Project Manual to guide the selection of a new roofing system, along with bidding and construction services.
Screen Enclosure Installation Guidance
During the restoration, our Engineers observed that the edge distance of screen enclosure anchors varied from unit to unit. BillerReinhart analyzed concrete breakout strength in accordance with ACI 318-19 and issued an engineering opinion letter giving the Association clear installation criteria.
BillerReinhart has partnered with Tropic Harbor Condominium Association across multiple phases of work, providing engineering expertise and restoration oversight to support the long-term integrity and maintenance of its buildings
The Association now has a clear maintenance path forward: a routine structural inspection program for exterior concrete columns, beams, and slabs at a 3 to 5 year interval, and an annual roof inspection program, with an engineering partner who already knows the property.
Location
Delray Beach, FL
Building Type
Low-Rise Residential Condominium Community (7 Buildings, 224 Units)
Driver
Structural Deterioration and Milestone Inspection Requirements
Governing Code
SB 154 & Florida Building Code
Scope
Condition survey, façade restoration design and construction administration, Milestone Inspection Report Amendments, recreational building roof replacement design, and screen enclosure anchorage guidance
Deliverables
Condition Survey Report, Project Manuals, Bid Analysis, Construction Summary Reports, Milestone Inspection Report Amendments
Our Engineers integrate structural investigation with active restoration, backed by weekly field verification.
