One of the most complex challenges in creating the five-floor, 75,000-sq-ft space involved removing a 40-ft by 80-ft section of floor slab to create a two-story, 3,000-sq-ft multipurpose room. To address fall protection and debris control, the contractor enclosed the work area with full temporary barriers, including a custom air filtration system to mitigate silica dust and prevent elevator shaft contamination. A dedicated field engineer monitored slab deflection in real time during post-tension beam installation, ensuring structural integrity and worker safety. Four cast-in-place, post-tensioned concrete beams, each poured using a tightly orchestrated truck sequencing plan, now span that void.

Adjacent to this space, a high-elevation balcony 11 stories above grade was built from a cantilevered scaffolding platform suspended off the 10th floor. This eliminated the need for vertical shoring and ensuring uninterrupted access for building occupants. This allowed for installation of upturned concrete beams and steel, finish work and access to the terrace’s perimeter without touching the building’s public amenities terrace on the third floor. Weight limits dictated strict phasing and sequencing, enforced through pull planning sessions and daily coordination with subcontractors, while the balcony’s structure—comprising upturned concrete beams, structural steel and high-end metal panels—required millimeter-level alignment with existing curtain wall systems.

Photo courtesy Davis Construction

Completed at budget and on time, despite a three-month permitting delay, the $18.3-million space reflects the owners mission and accommodates high-profile events and growing staff. The two-story multipurpose room features nine-wood ceilings, Skyfold partitions and integrated audio/visual system, which required layout and trade choreography to install. Given tight tolerances and material transitions, the team pre-coordinated every junction, using field measurements, shop drawing overlays and in-situ mock-ups to validate quality. Load and deflection testing on the 11th floor ensured that terrazzo flatness and reflectivity standards were met without compromising structural integrity.

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