Miami Offices Grab Limelight
Patterson says, "This (large missile impact) requirement is accommodated largely through the use of laminated glass, and the use of a specially formulated high-strength interlayer. We used Vanceva Storm 0.075 as the interlayer."
The other issue is the high winds. To meet those requirements, Patterson says, “Basically, things get bigger and thicker, fasteners are spaced closer together, etc.”
Enclos started setting curtain-wall units in October 2008, with scheduled completion in August 2009. PGT Industries fabricated and assembled the units.
Ojeda reports the extra steps cost an additional $30 to $40 per sq ft of curtain wall. But he’s feeling good about the end result.
“I’m not saying Enclos built an unbreakable glass fortress that can survive any major hurricane,” he says. “The truth is you never know what Mother Nature has in store. But 1450 Brickell does exceed every known wind code in the nation, and we’re confident that we’re offering a top quality product that will leave our tenants comfortable when the next storm strikes.”
The project, designed by Nichols Brosch Wurst Wolfe & Associates of Coral Gables, is striving for LEED Gold certification.
Met 2
Also in downtown Miami, Suffolk Construction of West Palm Beach is progressing steadily on its $310-million Met 2 project. Actually a mixed-use project that combines 753,200 sq ft of office space in a 47-story tower, along with a 376-room JW Marriott Collection Hotel in a 42-story tower, Met 2 will deliver a unique blend to the Miami business district.
Pete Cesari, Suffolk’s project executive, says the team is maintaining a slight lead on its established schedules, partly due to the slowdown in area construction activity.
“We’re tracking pretty well,” Cesari says. “Manpower and materials haven’t been any issue. Everybody’s managed to meet the schedule. I don’t think we’re going to run into any problems with material deliveries, because of how the economy is. All of the manufacturers and fabricators have more than enough materials and manpower to get anything out that we’re going to need for the rest of the job.”
In August, the contractor was approximately 80% complete with the office building portion of the project. Cesari expects this part of the job to wrap up by April. The hotel portion, meanwhile, was roughly 70% complete, putting it on target for its July 2010 scheduled completion.
