CONTRACTORS ACHIEVE SUCCESS
ON MASSIVE GAYLORD HOTELS PROJECT IN TEXAS
Suppliers Deliver Outstanding Products and Service, Leave Nothing To Chance
When a successful destination resort and convention center concept like Gaylord Hotels
is ready to expand, it is crucial that it maintain the same level of superiority and consistency in
its new location. This was the challenge facing Nashville, Tenn.-based Gaylord Entertainment
Company, parent of Gaylord Hotels, along with partners Hnedak Bobo Architects in Memphis,
Tenn., and general contractor Centex Construction Company in Dallas, Tx., as they prepared to
develop Gaylord Opryland Texas Resort & Convention Center.
Construction is well underway to transform a 150-acre tract of property on Lake
Grapevine in Grapevine, Tx., into a mega-complex consisting of a nine-story main tower and
two five-story secondary towers, housing 1,511 luxurious hotel rooms and 8,000 sq. ft. of retail
space. The half a billion dollar project will also include a massive convention center with
400,000 sq. ft. of convention, meeting pre-function and exhibit space and three ballrooms.
Ground was broken on the 2.2 million-sq.-ft. project in March 2001, and the impressive facility
is scheduled to open in April 2004.
Gaylord Opryland Texas is the second expansion that is part of Gaylord Hotels’ growing
network of destination convention resorts. In addition to the Texas resort and Gaylord Opryland
Resort & Convention Center, the famous Nashville landmark resort with 2,881 rooms and
600,000 square feet of convention and meeting space, Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention
Center in Kissimmee, Fla., near Orlando has been operating very successfully since February
2002. The industry-leading hospitality and entertainment company is also exploring
development of another Gaylord Hotel in Prince Georges County, Md., along the banks of the
Potomac River just outside our nation’s Capitol.
“The tone and expectation has already been set in the consumer’s mind for what Gaylord
Hotels stand for, and the pressure is on our firm for perfection in the flow of the construction
process and the quality of our work,” explains Bob Gist, vice president of operations with Centex
Construction Company.
Managing a project the size of this one presents quite a scheduling challenge for all
contractors on site.
“It’s important that we have expert subs as well as reliable suppliers to make sure the
materials are available when we need them,” says Gist. “The ability of distributors to get the
products from the manufacturers on a timely basis and deliver them, so there are no delays is
extremely critical.”
Good To Go
For Gaylord Opryland Texas, framing, drywall and insulation contractor KHS&S from
Dallas, Tx., hired Dallas-based distributor BAV, Inc. BAV ordered more than 1,000,000 sq. ft.
of wall and ceiling insulation from CertainTeed Corporation’s Insulation Group based in Valley
Forge, Pa.
“We chose CertainTeed because of the company’s outstanding service coupled with good
pricing,” explains Donna Griffith, sales manager with BAV. “Service on this job is critical,
having product where and when needed is imperative. CertainTeed jumped through hoops for us
and KHS&S. Truckloads moved in and out within 24 hours notice. Other companies simply
can’t provide this kind of service.”
According to Griffith, the CertainTeed insulation products also were well suited to the
project needs and met strict quality control standards.
“We’ve also developed a good relationship through the years with CertainTeed, which
also factored into the selection process,” concluded Griffith. “Our local rep has helped us build
our insulation business. She’s helped us stay competitive in the market and service our
customers well.”
A Lot of Insulation To Be Installed
The KHS&S team is responsible for the metal stud framing, the drywall, acoustical
ceilings, fiber glass reinforced gypsum installation, crown molding, wood blocking, themed
plaster, faux painting, cultured stone, insulation and timber work.
“The scope of our work is massive,” explains Dan Casey, senior vice president with
KHS&S. “We started on site in August 2002 and usually have at least 125 members of our
company working there at all times.”
The KHS&S team is installing CertainTeed CertaPro fiber glass sound insulation. The
3-1/2” thick R-11 sound insulation is being installed in the interior partition walls and 6-1/4”
thick R-19 insulation is being installed in the exterior walls.
“We have a crew of 20 installing the insulation over a course of seven months,” says
Casey. “Our work should be complete by early 2004.”
Ahead of the Competition
“We liked the CertainTeed insulation products because their quality is consistent and the
company offers great technical research to back up the products,” Casey explained. “They are a
real support partner as you need them. We’re committed to doing the job right the first time,”
concludes Casey. “CertainTeed helps us with this so we don’t have to worry about going back
on a job.”
Fantastic Facility
Gaylord Opryland Texas is a project that is providing outstanding growth in the Dallas-
Fort Worth metropolitan area. The majestic resort is very visible to planes arriving at Dallas-
Fort Worth International Airport and touts three distinct regions of Texas: Lone Star, Hill
Country and Riverwalk. The resort will hire more than 1,500 employees to staff of what
promises to be the Southwest’s finest resort and convention center.
“It already looks amazing,” says Gist. “With four and a half acres of Texas landscapes
under atrium glass, a “Lone Star” designed into the glass, a bluebonnet wildflower lawn garden
and all of the amenities this place offers make it a winner for business and leisure visitors for
years to come.”
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Gaylord Opryland Texas Facts
Half a billion dollar project
Nine-story main tower, two five-story secondary towers
1,511 hotel rooms
8,000,000 sq. ft. of retail space
400,000 sq. ft. of convention, meeting and exhibit space
80,000 sq. ft. of ballrooms
4.5 acres of atrium under glass
Access to championship golf course
25,000 sq. ft. world-class spa and fitness center
Two pools – one indoor lap pool and a grotto-style outdoor pool
Five restaurants each with distinct food, seven bars and one live entertainment complex.