Wood Framing Contractor Chooses Concrete for Multi-Family Project

Ellis Coleman is a second generation wood framer, but when it came time to build his own house, he chose concrete, insulating concrete forms to be exact. Since then, he has been singing the praises of building with ICFs to anyone who would listen. Of course, talk is cheap so when it came time for Mr. Coleman’s development business, EYC Companies, to build its new multi-family development in Charleston, SC, he put his money where his mouth is and designed a first-class ICF multi-family rental property. The new project, called 17 South, is slated for groundbreaking next month. According to EYC, the project will feature 220 units of modern, highly functional and energy efficient living spaces with urban amenities at affordable pricing. 17 South will feature a balanced mix of studio, one and two bedroom floor plans with an average size of 892 square feet.

Mr. Coleman isn’t short of praise for ICF construction and as someone who spent his early years framing homes and building trusses, his story is instructive. "It may not be cheaper than wood, but it will save time if we can get the ready mix producer and pumper to help us streamline production." For a coastal environment with the threat of hurricanes and high winds and salt air, the completed project will offer peace of mind not only to Mr. Coleman but to his residents as well. Like real estate developers in coastal communities around the United States, EYC Companies has to consider the resilience of their projects. As building codes for these communities become more stringent, wood makes less and less sense and these guys know it. For early adopters like Mr. Coleman the opportunity to differentiate their product in the market will pay dividends for years to come. (Click here for more information on this project.)

EYC Companies is looking ahead to its next project in North Carolina and while the inland site might be less vulnerable to extreme weather, Mr. Coleman is still looking to expand his use of concrete.

Most developers understand the benefits of building with concrete, including strength, durability, energy efficiency and reduced sound transmission. However, many developers are still struggling to justify expanding its use of it in multi-family projects. Their need to focus on first cost is pushing them toward wood regardless of all the risks inherent in its use, including fire, mold, shrinkage, extreme weather and noise. Through its new design assistance program for buildings, NRMCA helps developers like EYC build with concrete by providing economical structural designs and assembling teams that can build concrete at the lowest possible cost.