Atlanta, GA

Sovereign Building

Scope/Solutions

One of the tallest residential buildings in Georgia, the fifty-story Sovereign at 3344 Peachtree Road has eighty-two condominiums on the upper thirty-three floors and leasable commercial space below. The residential tower features a curved curtain wall facade, sweeping balconies with glass guards, and a pool deck and lounge on the twenty-eighth floor. SGH investigated the condition of the building exterior and designed modifications to upgrade and improve its performance.

SGH investigated the following systems and continues to provide services related to the building structure and enclosure.

  • Balconies. SGH assisted with an initial assessment to identify and remove loose pieces of concrete and floor tile from the cantilevered balconies, and later performed a more detailed investigation to document the condition of the tile, waterproofing, and post‑tensioned concrete slabs. We designed and oversaw a repair project to install an improved tile flooring and waterproofing assembly, replace existing guardrails with upgraded infinity glass ones, strengthen balcony slabs with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) at guardrail connections, and repair post‑tensioning components.
  • Roofing. We investigated reported water leakage and the extent of damage by conducting visual surveys, making observations at exploratory openings, overseeing electrical capacitance and high voltage leak detection testing, measuring moisture in the concrete roof slab, and performing laboratory analysis to determine the moisture content of roofing material samples. SGH identified defects and deterioration in the assemblies, designed a roofing replacement, and provided construction administration services for the installation.
  • Curtain walls. SGH investigated water and air leakage, condensation, and rattling glass during high wind events, and consulted on remedial approaches for the curtain walls.
  • Facade access system. We analyzed whether the facade access system—including rooftop davits, fall arrest anchors, and intermediate stabilizing anchors—meets applicable requirements and are currently designing improvements.

Project Summary

completion-date

Ongoing

Completion Date
building-size

575K

Project Size
Solutions
Failure Investigation
Services
Structures | Building Enclosures | Applied Science & Research
Markets
Residential
Client(s)
Sovereign Condominium Association
Specialized Capabilities
Repair & Strengthening | Condition Assessments | Roofing & Waterproofing | Environmental Simulations

Key team members

Scott Tomlinson
Scott Tomlinson
Associate Principal
Cory  Brett
Cory Brett
Senior Project Manger