Veneer brick pioneer, Ambrico (https://ambrico.com), has utilized its EZ-Wall® System in the construction of a new fitness center in downtown Royal Oak, Mich. Situated at the corner of Woodward Avenue and Washington Street, the two-story, 45,000-square-foot building uniquely stands on stilts for member and visitor parking on the ground floor. The center offers a variety of fitness equipment, basketball and racquetball courts, a swimming pool, spa and sauna, group classes, babysitting service, and juice bar.

The thin brick experts at Ambrico consulted with the fitness-center’s developers to supply an alternative to a traditional-brick appearance, without the weight and laborious upkeep. Ambrico’s EZ-Wall® system provides serious attention to cost effectiveness without the use of wood, aluminum, vinyl, or synthetic stucco. The result is an elegant alternative-cladding system that preserves the look of traditional masonry and provides the fitness center with a stunning new atmosphere and the sophisticated appeal.

Ambrico’s EZ-Wall® brick panels were attached to the building’s original facade surface and skillfully applied, producing the durability of real brick at a overall depth of only 5/8″. The utilized brick veneer is architectural-steel grade, embossed, hot dipped galvanized to G-90 finish, and has approximately the same thermal coefficient as brick and mortar. Ambrico’s veneer brick also eliminated the need for lintels, reducing overall project cost. Each panel was completed with full-depth mortar joints to ensure long-term durability and is virtually indistinguishable from traditional bricks.

Royal Oak’s new LA Fitness was completed on schedule and provides the center with a notable look of bold significance at a price within the company’s budget.