HBD Construction is building the Hilton Homewood Suites project in Richmond Heights, Mo.

The Hilton Homewood Suites project in Richmond Heights, Mo., has presented some logistical challenges to general contractor HBD Construction Inc., but the company is well equipped to overcome them, President Michael Perry says.

The 10-story, 164-room poured-in-place concrete structure encompasses 113,126 square feet and is located adjacent to the University Club Tower in the newly named University Village complex. HBD is building the Hilton hotel for RBM Richmond Heights LLC, which also will be developing a Westin hotel project later this year.

HBD is also working on an adjacent retail and parking garage project for Lionstone Development and Sansone Group.

The two ownership groups have a joint parking agreement, Perry notes. 'There were plenty of logistical challenges on this job,' Perry says. 'An existing street, Francis Place, goes through the project. We are involved in rebuilding the street, with new utilities, to service both projects. Also, the sites themselves are very tight - it is a densely populated commercial area of Richmond Heights directly across from the St. Louis Galleria.

'Staging has been a challenge, but we are working closely with both property owners to create adequate access for construction deliveries and existing tenants occupying the University Club Tower.'

Quality Job
The University Club Tower got its name from the former University Club that used to occupy the top two floors. The club itself is gone, but the name stuck.

HBD is using a combination of high-quality materials - brick, plaster and stone - on the Hilton project in keeping with the high-end finishes of the adjacent Galleria, Perry says.

He says the Hilton project will be completed in approximately one year, as will the first retail building and parking garage.

The second parking garage is scheduled to be completed the following year.

Close-Knit Culture
Headquartered in St. Louis, HBD considers itself one of the larger players in its regional market, but maintains a relatively small office and a close-knit company culture, Perry says. 'Our people work together well,' he explains. 'We have a strong field staff. Many of our superintendents are second-generation employees. 'People tend to come here to work and stay a long time.'

HBD typically works within a 100-mile radius of St. Louis and takes on a diverse list of projects, Perry says. 'We build all types of commercial construction, even multifamily residential, including loft conversions into apartments,' he adds. 'We also do office and entertainment.' The company's two largest sectors currently are retail and loft conversions.

He says the company is ranked No. 14 in St. Louis in terms of overall volume, according to the St. Louis Business Journal.

Steady Growth
HBD was founded as H.B. Deal & Co. Inc. in 1922 by Horace B. Deal. His sons Bill and Clarence Deal took over in the 1950s and changed the name to H.B. Deal Construction Co.

In 1978, the name was changed to HBD Contracting Inc. when longtime employees Daniel O'Keefe Jr., Russell Shilt and Melvin Schaefer purchased the company.

They ran the company until 2004 when Perry, Brian Kowert and Daniel O'Keefe III took over and changed the name to HBD Construction.

'Over the years, HBD has become a highly regarded general contracting and construction management organization in St. Louis,' the company states.

'At HBD, the tradition continues. The new HBD organization continues to be committed to the original corporation precepts of quality and integrity,' the company continues.
'HBD has continued to build its reputation as a well-established, full construction services organization, able to provide construction management, program management, general contracting and/or design/build services through their own in-house staff,' the company adds.

Creative Solutions
Today, Perry says, escalating costs of raw materials have forced builders to be more creative.

He says the company is dealing with this challenge through creative building techniques such as alternate building materials and still continues to grow.

'We are basically set on slow, steady growth,' he says. 'We've done that over the years, and we will continue to grow in that way. Our future looks good. This year looks to be another good year for us. We are very optimistic going forward.'

HBD clients deserve a 'total sense of security, so that they do not have to live with the project on a day-to-day basis,' the company says.

'The client can continue operating their business, doing what they know best, with the confidence that their project is being constructed and managed by professionals,' it adds.