Project profile: Hotel Polaris

By Emma Peterson.

Roofing a unique, aviation-themed hotel to withstand Rocky Mountain weather and winds.

Tucked into the shadow of Pikes Peak, the highest summit of the southern front range of the Rocky Mountains, sits Hotel Polaris, owned by the Provident Resources Group. This hotel was designed to showcase the beautiful area around it. Sitting at nine stories tall with 375 guest rooms and a variety of shared spaces (a lobby, ballroom, event lawn, pool terrace, full-service spa, fitness center, rooftop bar and restaurant), this luxury hotel is a stunning getaway in the Colorado Springs area.

Further, it is positioned near the entrance of U.S. Air Force Academy and honors that location with unique aviation theming. Hotel Polaris is the only hotel in the U.S. that features flight simulators that allow aspiring pilots over the age of 12 to experience “flying” a Boeing 737 MAX or an F-16 Fighting Falcon.

In 2023, the hotel found their 50,000-square-foot roof in need of some attention. The location of the hotel at the base of the Rocky Mountains means that it faces unique challenges. Specifically, unpredictable weather and high winds that commonly reach 70 to 90 miles per hour. There was also a tight timeline for the work that needed to be done, as the hotel needed to be open in time for the Air Force Academy’s graduation.  

While these challenges made the project a big task, Douglas Colony Group (DCG), the largest commercial contracting company in the region, rose to the challenge. Chris Faulkner, VP of DCG, shared some thoughts on the project, saying, “This was a perfect project for us. We have extensive experience working with the Air Force Academy and understand the high standards and requirements necessary for working on and near the base.”  

DCG’s team chose to use Carlisle's high-performance Sure-Weld TPO  on Hotel Polaris. They opted for this product for a variety of reasons, including the extreme wind ratings it carries and its ability to meet the complex architectural demands of the rooftop. They also utilized Carlisle’s Flexible FAST Adhesive System which helped make sure they met the deadline of the graduation without sacrificing quality. Chris explained, “The Flexible FAST system is incredibly efficient. Our field team appreciates its ease of use, and we’ve successfully implemented it on numerous projects.”

Learn more about this project and read the full story online!