The Yacht Hotel opened in January 2020 and is the newest beach hotel in the popular resort city of Vlorë, Albania. The hotel’s concrete structures are protected from chloride attack – and resulting corrosion – by the Penetron System, formulated to react with concrete components to produce a waterproof, integral crystalline formation.
The former Albanian capital and country’s third largest city (>130,000 inhabitants), Vlorë sits on a bay that marks the border between the Adriatic and the Ionian seas. A popular resort area known for its clear waters and brilliant sand beaches, Vlorë enjoys over 300 sunny days a year.
Designed by Klodian Burgjia of Arkonik Studio, the Yacht Hotel in Vlorë features a distinctive modernist style with alternating horizontal ribbons of concrete and glass – and a rooftop pool with views of the Adriatic Sea a mere 50m away. The US$2.2 million project features 21-rooms, a restaurant, private parking, a bar and a private beach area. The 4-star luxury hotel is the newest hotel in Vlorë and set to reopen this summer after ceasing operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As we expected, a construction site this close to the seashore had a high-water table,” explains Theodor Mentzikofakis, Managing Director & Partner of Penetron Hellas. “The engineer at Ad Sinani and the project contractor/developer, asked Penetron Hellas to provide a comprehensive solution to protect all the hotel’s concrete structures from corrosion.”
The balmy marine environment found at Vlorë is great for beach-loving tourists but poses a serious threat to untreated concrete structures. The proximity to seawater favors chloride ion ingress into porous concrete, which can quickly lead to corrosion of the embedded non-galvanized reinforcement steel in the concrete, often resulting in increased maintenance and eventually, the possible failure of the structure.
The integral waterproofing solution provided by the Penetron System significantly improves concrete durability and reduces permeability. This added protection also helps eliminate the threat of rebar corrosion that can seriously compromise and deteriorate the concrete matrix.
Penetron Hellas specified the full range of the Penetron System for the hotel’s basement structures and rooftop pool. Beton Vlora, the ready-mix supplier for the Yacht Hotel project, utilized PENETRON ADMIX for the foundation slab and walls of the hotel’s basement structures and for the rooftop pool. PENEBAR SW-45 waterstop was used to seal the construction joints. Topical applications of PENETRON and PENECRETE MORTAR were carried out on all exposed concrete surface repairs.
“Last but not least, the ease of application of the Penetron System moved the construction schedule along quickly,” adds Theodor Mentzikofakis. “Once the summer season begins in Albania, it will be smooth sailing for the Yacht Hotel.”
Good-looking and tough: The modernist design of the Yacht Hotel in Vlorë, Albania hides a durable and waterproof foundation built on PENETRON ADMIX-treated concrete.
Over 300 sunny days a year: Albania’s new Yacht Hotel enjoys a waterproof foundation and rooftop pool – and a perfect beach setting – thanks to Penetron crystalline technology.
