Case Study: Hammerhead™ Aluminum Flood Log System – New York Marriott Downtown, New York, NY
Garrison collaborated closely with the Marriott New York Downtown to design and implement a NYC code and FEMA-compliant, highly effective, and rapidly deployable dry floodproofing solution.
CLIENT:
Host Hotels, the proud owner of the 497-room New York Marriott Downtown, is situated in the vibrant neighborhood of Lower Manhattan, just a short distance from the scenic Battery Park in New York City.
CHALLENGE:
Marriott New York Downtown Hotel Flood Plan
In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy brought a catastrophic storm surge that flooded Lower Manhattan, including West Street in front of the Marriott New York Downtown.
Water surged through street drains and hotel entrances, flooding the basement and rising into the lobby within 15 minutes—damaging critical infrastructure and luxury finishes.
Despite full-day storm preparations and generator backup, the hotel sustained significant water damage, requiring extensive renovations, including repairs to building systems, sheetrock, wallpaper, furniture, and more.
The hotel, located in the FEMA flood-prone Zone AE 10, needed a better strategy to prevent future disruptions and losses.
GOAL:
The primary goal was to minimize operational downtime, prevent costly and extensive future storm-related repairs, and ensure the long-term protection of both the building’s aesthetics and its critical infrastructure from flood damage.
Garrison collaborated closely with the operations division at the Marriott to design and implement a NYC code and FEMA-compliant, highly effective, and rapidly deployable dry floodproofing solution.
This carefully engineered system was specifically tailored to reliably protect all 19 vulnerable openings—including front doors, side doors, retail spaces, and loading docks—from future storm surge flooding and the associated water damage, ensuring enhanced resilience and peace of mind for the property.
“We knew we couldn’t afford another event like Sandy. The Garrison team understood our needs, worked with our local crews, and delivered a system we trust to protect our property and our guests.”
SOLUTION:
The Hammerhead™ Aluminum Flood-Log System was meticulously chosen by the facilities management team at Marriott because of its demonstrated reliability and outstanding performance during previous hurricanes. Its reputation for withstanding extreme weather conditions is unmatched, ensuring the highest level of protection when it matters most. Built with USA-made durable and industrial 6063-T6 Anodized Aluminum, 316L Marine Grade Stainless Steel components, the system exemplifies superior craftsmanship and long-lasting quality.
Additionally, Garrison’s notably efficient fabrication lead time played a crucial role in preparing the Marriott location ahead of critical weather events. By streamlining production without compromising quality, Garrison worked diligently to have the Hammerhead™ Flood Barrier System installed well before the onset of the 2025-2026 hurricane season.
“At Garrison Flood Control, we demonstrate quality not only through our products but also through our rapid response.
Our team acts swiftly to visit sites, ensuring that each location’s specific requirements are met precisely. This customized approach guarantees smooth installation and advanced performance.”
STEPS TAKEN:
Garrison Flood Control collaborated closely with Marriott’s facilities managers and both a licensed New York architect and Engineer to design an effective floodproofing plan.
Custom fabricated aluminum flood panels were designed for each opening, including inside/outside mount posts, center posts for wide span openings, and 90° turns for architectural obstacles.
Special modifications were made at complex entry points like the loading dock, the front entrance and retail entrances, including welded plates, newly poured concrete sills, and column extensions to ensure watertight seals.
A modular stair system was custom-fabricated to allow safe egress over the barriers at key exit points, ensuring compliance with city emergency codes. Garrison provided on-site support for field measurements, contractor guidance, and flood log deployment training to a local New York installer.
SUMMARY:
The New York Marriott Downtown is now fully protected by Garrison’s Hammerhead™ Aluminum Flood Barrier System, with each vulnerable opening secured by customized, durable flood barriers.
Through this installation, the Marriott’s facilities team is confident in its readiness to withstand future flood events without repeating the disruption and losses of Hurricane Sandy.
Host Hotels continues to lead the way in flood mitigation among urban high-end hospitality properties, publicly investing in resilient infrastructure for long-term sustainability.
The Hammerhead™ Aluminum Flood-Log System is constructed with industrial 6063-T6 anodized aluminum, with 316L marine-grade 316L stainless steel hardware for maximum durability and corrosion resistance.
Flood walls were engineered using finite element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to withstand hydrostatic, hydrodynamic, and impact loads.
Modular, easily deployed system ready to defend against hurricanes, severe weather or future superstorm events.
100% USA manufactured to the highest quality domestic standards, ensuring exceptional reliability and durability, with a quick turnaround to meet urgent project timelines.
Garrison™ Flood Control is a leading manufacturer and distributor of a complete line of flood control products. Garrison products contain, divert, and re-route water away from valuable property, equipment, infrastructure, and facilities and help prevent flood damage due to rising water levels.
For additional information about Garrison Flood Control Systems, please call 929-299-2099 or email sales@garrisonflood.com.
