Published on: September 28, 2026
High-rise balconies require maintenance over the life of a building, but repairing them takes a different level of planning when residents live above a busy public space. That was the case at Fifth + Broadway, where Charter’s Restoration & Repair team recently completed repairs to 11 balconies at the residential tower.
The project ran from March 18 to May 19, 2026, and involved more than 1,300 work hours. Charter’s scope included removing the existing handrail assemblies and traffic coating, repairing areas of concrete spalling, replacing deteriorated grout within the handrail pockets, reinstalling the handrails with a new exterior-rated grout, and applying a new traffic coating system.
Protecting Crews, Residents and Pedestrians in Downtown Nashville
One of the biggest challenges was working directly above the Fifth + Broadway retail plaza, one of downtown Nashville’s busiest pedestrian areas. The work also required temporary removal of balcony handrails, which meant Charter had to take extra precautions to protect crews, residents, and people below.
Charter’s Safety Department worked closely with the project team to develop a detailed plan for each phase of the work. Crews used approved fall protection systems and individually secured tools and equipment to prevent dropped objects. At the plaza level, the team established controlled exclusion zones beneath active balconies and maintained radio communication between the crews above and the team below.
Charter also installed debris netting around each active balcony. The netting created a contained work area that helped control dust and debris while protecting the plaza below.
Coordinating Every Step of the Schedule
Safety was only part of the challenge. Charter also needed to complete the work quickly while coordinating access to occupied residences.
Project Manager Spencer Burge worked closely with the field team, Architecture Glass Metal (AGM), Charter’s handrail subcontractor, and property management to keep everyone aligned. Charter committed to turning over one balcony every 2.5 days. That meant coordinating multiple trades and activities within a small work area, often down to the hour.
“Spencer maintained clear and consistent communication between all parties,” Hank Arnold said. “That coordination was a big part of keeping the project moving and minimizing disruptions for residents.”
Field coordination played an equally important role. Foreman Bruno Lara provided detailed daily updates with progress photos, completed work, and plans for the following day. He also coordinated unit access with property management and residents, helping crews enter each space prepared and ensuring they left each residence clean and ready for the occupants.
A Process Built for Complex Repairs
The project ultimately came together through careful planning, consistent communication, and a field team that understood what the environment required.
For Charter, the project also provided an opportunity to refine a repeatable approach to high-rise balcony repairs. Future projects may look different, but the lessons from Fifth + Broadway will carry forward.
“The team approached the work with professionalism and attention to detail,” Hank said. “That allowed us to complete the repairs safely and efficiently while minimizing disruption to residents and the surrounding property.”
The result is another example of the versatility of Charter’s Restoration & Repair team: finding practical solutions, coordinating closely with everyone involved, and getting challenging work finished without losing sight of the people around the job.
