Mark Concrete

Simplistic Style is Key for California Company's Countertops, Fireplaces

by Michele Dawson, The Concrete Network

Mark Lesnick spent three decades working in precast concrete, even owning his own engineering drafting firm that specialized in the field for 13 years. But it wasn't until about three years ago that he met his true calling - using his technical knowledge about concrete and producing a variety of concrete products, including countertops and sinks, in a beautiful simplistic style.

He recently made the transition to fashioning concrete amenities full-time. His months-old company, Mark Concrete, is located in Watsonville, Calif., and also specializes in fireplace surrounds, mantels, bath counters, and furniture.

He began his career in precast concrete in 1971 with Concrete Masonry Corporation in Ohio, and later worked for Stanley Structures in Phoenix Arizona. While working for these precast manufacturers, he learned virtually every phase of the "conventional" precast business. In 1989 he was a founding partner and president of an engineering and drafting consulting company in Scottsdale, Arizona, specializing in precast.

About three years ago he began dabbling in decorative concrete and found it to be the perfect mix of the technical skills of his precast experience and his inner more artistic side that had been stifled for so many years.

"I began with countertop jobs, sinks and firepits for custom homes in the Phoenix area," he says.

But California ultimately lured him for more than one reason - most of his wife's work was in the Golden State and he was able to escape the scorching Phoenix heat. Lesnick had another motivation for moving his concrete company to California.

"There are a lot of custom homes in Monterey," Lesnick said, saying he's created door and window sills as well as specialty decorative concrete shapes. "And concrete has been well-accepted here in California. In Phoenix it hasn't quite been accepted as a mainstream item ... In addition Phoenix is more price-conscious."

Lesnick says his custom concrete pieces are a perfect match for residents in his neighboring communities of San Jose, San Francisco, and Marin County.

And in the Monterey area there are masses of houses that are 50 to 60 years old and outdated - homes that are worth upward of $1 million.

"Homeowners there aren't hesitant to reinvest into some pretty nice upgrades," Lesnick said.

Which is right where Mark Concrete and his gorgeous concrete amenities come into play.

"The market here is huge," he said. "Those who are well-established seem to have all the work they can handle." He specifies industry greats like Buddy Rhodes and Fu-Tung Cheng, both of whom are based in California's Bay Area.

Meanwhile, one of the features that blends in with a countertop or kitchen remodel is an integral backsplash.

"It works out nicely in remodel jobs because a lot of times the walls are a bit uneven," he said, adding that he even produced an integral backsplash for an adobe wall. "And it creates a natural barrier - most people opt for it."

Lesnick describes his style as "shaker design in concrete" and "straight-up stuff." In other words, very simplistic yet elegant designs with little sculpturing, but some embedded items for some projects.

Some of his favorite items to embed - to permanently lay in the surface of the concrete - are beach pebbles.

"When it comes to the countertops, it's primarily going with the customer's desires, particularly when it comes to color and edge detail," he says.

Forms are handmade with steel frames for rigidity, durability, and to provide superior finish to the concrete surfaces. External vibration assures consolidation to exotic concrete mix designs and durable surface for nearly any application.

Concrete is custom mixed using state-of-the-art technology. Cement and aggregates are carefully selected for color compatibility and character to provide a natural and timeless look.

Precast product is reinforced design utilizing steel reinforcing or carbon fiber technology. This enables Mark Concrete to produce large yet slender shapes that minimize joints as well as multiple segment designs.

Using carbon fiber reinforcing concrete allows for high-strength, lightweight countertops. It's the same type of technology that was developed for retrofitted buildings that need to be brought to code to comply with earthquake building codes.

"It eliminates problems with cracking and it's easy to work with," Lesnick says. "It's more expensive but I'm convinced it's the right way to go."

Another benefit of Mark Concrete's countertops is that Lesnick makes his 10 feet long rather than the standard 8 feet.

His favorite project so far is the fireplace surround he created for a home in the beautiful seaside city of Carmel.

"The customers were thrilled," he said. "It was a one-piece fireplace front; the main piece was 750 or 800 pounds, Frank Lloyd Wright craftsman style, and there were a few smaller pieces. It was a challenge, but it turned out exactly as I had planned."

Now the homeowners have asked Mark Concrete to create a complementary fire pit outside.

When it comes to indoor fireplaces, Lesnick said he expects that to be a high growth area for the decorative concrete industry.

"You can really produce some unique fireplaces," he said, saying that upscale homeowners in the area crave the versatility and the one-of-a-kind looks that can be achieved with concrete.

Next on the agenda for Mark Concrete is the upcoming launch of his new sink line. He plans to introduce a new model each month and ultimately have six sinks available for customers to purchase through distributors.

Meanwhile, one of the biggest challenges he's experienced so far is getting his young company off the ground is getting his shop together.

"It's taken longer and cost more than I had expected," he says.

Lesnick, who handles all aspects of creating and installing the concrete products, has a couple employees who help in his shop but his ultimate goal is to sub-contract the installation so he can stick to the creative side of the work.

"In two or three years I should grow enough to have a crew out in the field," he said, saying he expects business to continue to grow due to the mounting demand for concrete countertops, fireplaces, and furniture. "It's gaining momentum."

Mark Concrete
Mark Lesnick
14520 Ridgecrest Rd
Watsonville, CA 95076
(800) 663-0338
(831) 728-8024
Send Mail Now - Click Here
www.markconcrete.com

Michele Dawson

Michele Dawson writes each week on one of the contractor members of The Concrete Network (www.concretenetwork.com). She has written about the home building industry for several years and was on the public affairs staff of the California Building Industry Association.

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