[sponsored content]
Limelight Hospitality rebuilt one of its residential buildings in the ski town of Ketchum, Idaho, incorporating enhanced safety and design improvements after the original structure was destroyed by fire. The modern design features stunning new tile that elevates both the building’s façade and the interiors of its 26 condominiums. River Building Group (RBG), led by owner Ben Rivkin, was awarded the tile work through a long-standing relationship with general contractor Conrad Brothers Construction. Rivkin credits his company’s success to a highly skilled team of craftsmen, some recruited from as far away as California. For the Limelight rebuild, RBG installed tile on the building exterior, in 20 condominium bathrooms, and in one ultra high-end kitchen.
Tackling Exterior Tile in Harsh Winter Conditions
Safety was a top priority, and fire resistance guided many material decisions. Each of the new condo entryways was clad in massive gauged porcelain panels (GPP) — specifically Neolith Sintered Stone 60”x120” at 6mm thickness. Facing RBG’s largest GPP installation to date and winter conditions, Rivkin turned to Marc Dollahite of TEC Specialty Products for technical advice. Dollahite recommended TEC® TotalFlex® XMS Tile Adhesive, an innovative ready-to-use tile adhesive designed for tile’s most challenging wall applications such as exteriors, submerged applications and even clear glass.
RBG first prepped the building entryways with TEC® HydraFlex™ Waterproofing Crack Isolation Membrane to ensure protection from moisture and cracks caused by Ketchum’s climate. With temperatures below the 50ºF minimum needed to cure traditional cement mortars, Rivkin turned to TotalFlex XMS, which uniquely cures from 40ºF to 95ºF and sets in just 12 hours — giving RBG confidence that the panels would set properly in the cold. TEC Installation Systems also provides a warranty on exterior applications, an assurance few competitors offer.
Installation Efficiency, Performance, Reliability
TotalFlex XMS proved to be a game-changer for RBG. As a ready-to-use tile adhesive, it eliminated the need for mixing with water, saving valuable labor time in cold conditions. Rivkin’s team appreciated the efficiency of applying the adhesive to just one surface — tile or substrate — effectively cutting troweling time in half. Additionally, the product’s strong grab eliminated the need to prime the mesh-backed GPP.
Rivkin praised the product’s excellent grab and generous 60-minute open time, which allowed more time for adjustments: “We troweled the TotalFlex XMS onto each of the 44 panels and placed them on the building without incident.” TotalFlex XMS’s non-sag and non-slump properties prevented movement or cracking caused by air pockets. Just 12 hours after the GPPs were installed, the Limelight’s exterior was grout-ready.
Tile Makes a Statement for Interior Spaces
Inside the condos, RBG installed tile in 20 bathrooms and one standout kitchen. Wet areas requiring waterproofing and crack isolation protection were prepped with HydraFlex Membrane. For bathroom floors and walls, they chose TEC® Ultimate 6 Plus Polymer Modified Mortar, prized for its versatility in installing virtually any tile size. Its smooth troweling, minimal need for back-buttering, excellent non-sag/slump properties, and extended open time and pot life helped the installers set the 12”x24” floor tiles and various-size subway wall tiles. Ultimate 6 Plus also allowed grouting in just six hours — ideal for the tight project timeline.
The RBG team became one of the first contractors to use TEC® Pure-Color™ Grout, an innovative unsanded grout engineered to provide ultra-strong joints from 1/16” to ¼” for a wide range of tile types – ideal for even the most delicate tiles. Delivering lasting color uniformity throughout the joint, Pure-Color Grout is fast-setting, silica-free and highly resistant to stains and shrinkage. This durable grout also stands up to scrubbing, especially important for tile enduring wet conditions. RBG installers appreciated that the grout was user-friendly, even when they had to remove cured grout after several owners made late-stage changes.
During the rebuild one condo went up for sale, and Conrad’s Limelight project manager quickly purchased it. The new owner enlisted RBG to install all tile in the unit, including showstopping kitchen porcelain slabs. The stunning tile was Constantino Dekton Khalo porcelain inspired by Patagonia granite, used for decorating the kitchen backsplash, countertop sink and nearby fireplace surround. RBG meticulously installed these 710mm x 710mm and 3200mm x 1440mm, 20mm-thick, porcelain showpieces using Ultimate 6 Plus Mortar and 1/16” Pure-Color grout joints. As the finishing step for all RBG’s Limelight tile installations, TEC AccuColor 100® Silicone Sealant was applied to all expansion joints and transition locations, ensuring long-term protection.
Conclusion
From demanding winter exterior installations to refined interior spaces, the Limelight rebuild demonstrates the strength of a complete installation system working in harmony. By pairing skilled craftsmanship with TEC’s fully integrated system — from waterproofing and adhesives to grout and sealant — River Building Group delivered performance, efficiency, and design excellence.
In environments where climate, timelines, and aesthetics all raise the stakes, confidence in both product and partnership matters. With technical guidance, a warranty-backed system, and products engineered for real-world jobsite conditions, TEC Specialty Products helped ensure that every detail — inside and out — was built to endure.
To learn more about the TEC Specialty Products, visit: www.tecspecialty.com
Written by Chris Kain
