What Happens When You Shut Off Hot Water in a 266-Unit High-Rise?
Spoiler: It went better than you’d think.
Upgrading infrastructure in an occupied building is never easy, especially when it involves shutting down the entire domestic hot water system.
This was the case for a recent EBI project in Denver, where we oversaw the full replacement of an aging hot water system at a 300,000+ sq. ft., 266-unit multifamily high-rise. Tight site constraints, limited roof access, and the need for a temporary street closure added even more complexity to the equation.
So how did we help keep residents calm, neighbors happy, and the project on schedule?
The Challenge
This wasn't a simple equipment swap. The property’s aging boilers and system layout required a complete domestic hot water shutdown, meaning every unit in the building would lose hot water during installation of new piping and mixing valves.
Add in:
- One stairwell for roof access
- Only one usable street face for equipment deliveries
- A busy urban location with active residents and neighboring buildings
It was a logistical puzzle, and any misstep would have had real consequences for both the client and the residents.
The Approach
We leaned into one thing: communication.
- Regular stakeholder meetings built trust and aligned timelines.
- Every-four-hour updates kept ownership informed and empowered to keep residents in the loop.
- Street closure permits were secured early, and proactive outreach ensured no vehicles were towed and no complaints were filed.
Residents were notified well in advance of disruptions, with realistic expectations about timelines and contingency planning.
The Outcome
- A new, high-efficiency domestic water boiler system
- Zero complaints during a major infrastructure shutdown
- No delays, no miscommunications
- A happier, more energy-efficient building
By the end of the eight-month project, the client had a more reliable system, lower long-term costs, and a blueprint for future upgrades across their portfolio.
What This Means for CRE Owners
Upgrading building systems doesn’t have to come at the cost of tenant satisfaction or operational chaos. With the right partner, even the most disruptive projects can be predictable, professional, and painless.
Looking Ahead
This project deepened our relationship with the client, and we’re already working on identifying other opportunities to support sustainability goals and infrastructure resilience across their assets.
Want to learn how we help multifamily and CRE clients modernize without disruption? Let’s talk → https://ebiconsulting.com/your-industry/multifamily/