Outside of the Box

The Spa Castle in Carrollton, Texas is a grand example of a construction project that is well outside of a typical project.  The 140,000 square foot spa opened in May 2012 after overcoming a number of challenges.  One of the most significant obstacles was the fact that it is a four story building and had to obtain a variance from the City of Carrollton.  The developers vision for the project was a spa "community" that created a relaxing atmosphere and promoted the health and well-being of its clients.  The spa incorporates many different amenities, many of which are included in the $35 daily fee.  Spa Castle is home to many different pools - both indoor and outdoor - each with different hydrotherapy benefits.  The spa also has a number of saunas (10 to be exact) each with its own special design and focus. In addition to the saunas and pools there are different relaxing areas (even a sleeping room) and a comprehensive beauty and massage spa with services available for an additional charge.  When complete, the spa will also include a hotel, bar/lounge, banquet hall and restaurant.

While the services are impressive, the construction materials are amazing.  The Hinoki bath, modeled after the Japaneses tub,  is built from 300 year old pine wood imported from Asia and filled with warm mineral water.  The flooring around the outdoor pool is volcanic rock shipped from Korea and much of the marble is from China.  The attention to detail is visible everywhere - from the beautiful vases displayed by the snack bar to the oxygen dispensers located throughout the facility.

A project like this represent a great deal of risk.  It is a unique use and only the second spa castle in the United States (the other one is in New York).  While this might pose challenges with financing, the developer was able to privately fund the project through investors.  The main benefit from this private funding is that it allowed him tremendous control over the project.  The design and construction was done almost entirely in-house.  While the spa has only been opened about 2 months, based on the traffic we saw on this Saturday in June, it promises to be a great success.