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Wilshire Grand construction sets World Record

February 17, 2014

By pouring 42,930 tons of concrete in one go, says Hanjin Group

Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Yang-ho, center, poses with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and AC Martin CEO Christopher Martin during an event marking the pouring of concrete to build The Wilshire Grand Hotel in that city, Saturday ( Courtesy of Hanjin Group)i

By Yi Whan-woo

Hanjin Group said Monday its workers have set a Guinness World Record by pouring 42,930 tons of concrete in one go for the construction of the Wilshire Grand Hotel in Los Angeles.

Korea’s ninth largest conglomerate said the concrete was groundwork for the 335-meter-high skyscraper, and it was the world’s largest continuous pour of concrete for a construction project. The firm said a total of 1,800 cubic meters of concrete was poured into an underground hole Saturday.

“Pouring a massive amount of concrete at once will yield a solid, connected foundation in two weeks, while a more normal, but slower pour requires up two months for concrete to ripen,” the company said. “And our work will allow us to complete the project quicker, thus raising efficiency.”

The Saturday event in downtown L.A. took place as part of the city’s effort to build its new landmark. Once it opens in 2017, the 73-story tower filled with hotel rooms and offices will become the tallest building west of the Mississippi River and the eighth tallest in the United States.

Hanjin Chairman Cho Yang-ho was among the Korean and U.S. dignitaries who were at the site. Others were L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti; L.A. City Councilman Jose Huizar; and Christopher Martin, the architect of the Hanjin Group-developed tower and CEO of A.C. Martin, an L.A-based architecture, planning, and research firm.

“The city of L.A. is seen as the main gateway to the U.S. for many Koreans since Korean Air launched its flight services to the city 40 years ago,” Cho said, referring to Korea’s largest flagship carrier operated by Hanjin Group, in his commemorative speech. “Korean Air will continue to develop its close ties with L.A. and the construction project for The Wilshire Grand Hotel will play a central role for such effort.”

The $1.1 billion-project is anticipated to create some 1,700 jobs when it is completed and the hotel opens, according to the Korean conglomerate. It also said the city government of L.A. is expected to collect some $16 million per year in tax revenue from the hotel.