The Revel Pearl

Located on a 20-acre beachfront plot on the northern east coast, The Pearl is in perpetual contact with the salty sea-air and a seasonally varying climate, making sustainability a major concern for Revel. The designers concluded that hot-dip galvanizing (HDG) would afford all the benefits they required in a coating that would be subjected to continuous weathering. They needed to look no further than to the nearby Taj Mahals helicopter landing pad, a previous Excellence Awards entry, for confirmation.

...the longevity of the coatings life was an important aspect of Revel considered when choosing HDG over paint or powder coating.

The HDG coating was specified for the outer shell of The Pearl, as well as all of the interior skeleton and support structure. In addition to the protection in a harsh marine environment, the longevity of the coatings life was an important aspect Revel considered when choosing HDG over paint or powder coating. They wanted to ensure sustainability remained at the forefront when making important design decisions. The complexity of the electrical components inside The Pearl made repainting virtually impossible. The internal lights and wiring would have to be removed, and the structure itself would require partial disassembly.

The Pearl is also wrapped with a state-of-the-art material that wicks internal moisture while also repelling elements from outside the structure. The internal structure was also galvanized to provide protection from the harsh elements that manage to breach the outer skin. The outer skin, combined with the hot-dip galvanized coating, will ensure The Pearl will last for decades along the corrosive New Jersey shore.

The Pearl is intended to be an eye-catcher, first and foremost. It is perceived by passers-by as a giant ball on the verge of rolling off a 710-foot building. To preserve this appearance, it was imperative any support structure or fastener blend well with the building itself. The subtlety of the HDG coating proved to be an exemplary finish to create the illusion that the sphere lies unattached at the top of the Revel Hotel.