Key Tower in Cleveland, Ohio, is a 58-story, 700-foot granite-clad structure serving as the corporate headquarters of KeyBank and the tallest building in the state. After nearly three decades of exposure to Lake Erie weather conditions, the sealant joints between the tower's exterior granite panels had deteriorated across the full height of the building. Graciano Corporation was engaged to inspect, remove, and replace the joint sealant system in a phased, multi-year program that addressed the entire exterior envelope.
The project required careful coordination with building management and engineering to maintain building operations throughout the three-year restoration program, during which construction activity was visible from ground level on one of Cleveland's most prominent downtown landmarks.
Scope of Work
Services Performed
- Full inspection of all exterior stonework and joint conditions
- Complete removal of deteriorated silicone sealant between granite panels
- Cleaning and preparation of joint faces to receive new sealant
- Installation of foam backer rod to establish uniform sealant depth
- Application of new silicone sealant throughout the exterior facade
- Pressure washing and surface cleaning of granite panels
- Coordination with building engineers and facilities management
Phased Execution on a High-Rise Tower
Because Key Tower's exterior envelope spans 58 floors and several facades, Graciano structured the work to address approximately one-third of the building each year, completing the full program over three years. Workers accessed the granite panels using scaffolding anchored to the building's existing window-washing apparatus mounts, a system that eliminated the need for separate scaffold anchorage and reduced the footprint on the surrounding streetscape.
The crews proceeded from the roofline downward in vertical sections before shifting horizontally, a sequencing approach that minimized weather exposure at open joints while ensuring continuity of the sealant system across each facade. Engineer of Record Engineering Diagnostics provided testing and specification oversight throughout the program.
Facade Sealant in a High-Exposure Environment
Cleveland's Lake Erie location creates persistent wind-driven moisture loads and wide temperature swings that accelerate sealant degradation in high-rise facades. Silicone sealant was specified for its long-term performance under these conditions, along with foam backer rod to control sealant depth and prevent three-sided adhesion, which can cause premature failure. Matching the sealant color and tooled profile to the original installation preserved the building's visual uniformity across each section as work progressed.
About Graciano Corporation
Founded in 1916, Graciano Corporation is one of the oldest and most experienced masonry and concrete restoration firms in the United States. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, with additional offices in New York, NY, and Florida, Graciano performs approximately 90% of all work in-house with its own skilled journeymen. The company is a WBENC-certified Woman Business Enterprise and has built its reputation on the most demanding commercial and landmark restoration projects across the eastern United States.