EVail, CO
Location: Breckenridge, CO
Owner: Breckenridge Grand Vacations
Manufacturer: Signature Stone
Wall Type: Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE)
Texture: Summit
Year Built: 2025
One of North America’s most famous ski resorts required a straightforward and durable retaining wall solution to support a vital infrastructure expansion. The project involved the development of a new mountainside workforce housing project and a 400-space expanded overflow parking lot. The solution needed to be structurally resilient enough for high-altitude conditions while maintaining an aesthetic that complemented the high-visibility resort corridor.
Developers selected a Novum Wall mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) design. This system was chosen for its specific advantages in mountainous terrain and logistical efficiency.
Key factors in the selection included:
Freight Efficiency: Signature Stone, based in Greeley, Colorado, was able to deliver 220 sq ft of wall face per truckload. This significantly outperformed larger block systems, which typically deliver 140–160 sq ft, leading to lower freight costs per square foot.
Structural Performance: Novum Wall blocks are produced with wet-cast concrete. Their lower porosity compared to dry-cast alternatives limits water absorption, providing superior long-term durability during Colorado’s frequent freeze-thaw cycles.
Design Flexibility: The wall was designed as a segmental retaining wall (SRW) using geogrid reinforcement, allowing for a familiar and efficient engineering methodology.
The installation process was optimized for speed and site constraints:
Equipment Efficiency: The Novum Wall system was installed using compact machinery such as skid-steers and mini-excavators.
Labor Savings: Unlike small-block dry-cast SRWs that are hand-set, this system reduced manual labor and accelerated the overall construction timeline.
Aesthetic Integration: The “Summit” texture was selected to provide a deeply-textured, natural stone appearance that matched the character of the Breckenridge area.
By combining shipping efficiency, structural resilience, and visual appeal, the project successfully met the needs of this high-visibility mountain environment.
Reliable Infrastructure: The resulting retaining solution performs reliably in extreme alpine conditions.
Community Impact: The wall supports critical housing and parking infrastructure for the Breckenridge resort community.
Economic Value: The project benefited from significant freight savings and reduced installation costs without sacrificing the premium look required for a world-class resort destination
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