1. A MEGA-COMPLEX GROWS IN BROOKLYN
Denizen Bushwick features 911 apartments (20% affordable), 15 mega-murals, and 100,000 sf of outdoor space, including a 17,850-sf public park. ODA New York designed the entire 1.2 million-sf development—architecture, interiors, and landscape design—for developer Rabsky Group. Indoor amenities include a bowling alley, pool, game room, boxing ring, chef’s kitchen, rock climbing wall, spin studio, yoga studio, golf simulator, and movie theater. Rooftop amenities: a dining area with four kitchens, a mini-golf course, a hammock garden, a dog park, and a fully staffed garden with 250 native New York tree species and 1,200 species of shrubs and perennials, plus a rooftop farm. The enterprise sits on land once occupied by the Rheingold brewery (1854). At one time, Brooklyn was home to hundreds of breweries, among them Piels Bros., Schaefer, Liebmann’s, and Pabst Blue Ribbon. For years, Rheingold, “The Extra Dry Beer,” hosted the annual “Miss Rheingold” contest. Brooklynites of a certain age will recall its classic jingle: “My beer is Rheingold, the dry beer (bump-bump). Think of Rheingold whenever you buy beer.” Also on the team: ADG Engineering (SE), Philip Habib & Associates (CE), MG Engineering (MEP), LaufsED (façade consultant), Schuco (curtain wall contractor), Azzarone Contracting Corp. (concrete contractor), and Woodworker (GC). The mural above is by Aaron Li-Hill, a Canadian visual artist based in Brooklyn, who took inspiration from historic Native American culture. The pool mural (opposite) is by Italian-born artist Pixel Pancho, whose Pixelpancho Studio is based in Miami. These and 13 others were commissioned for the project by ODA’s nonprofit organization OPEN, founded in 2017 to support artists and neighborhood organizations.
2. 39-STORY TOWER enlivens DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO
Related California’s recently completed tower, Fifteen Fifty, rises 400 feet at 1550 Mission Street, San Francisco. Its 550 residences range in size from studios to three-bedrooms, plus a penthouse collection. Market-rate leases run $3,500 to $9,900/month; 20% of the units have been set aside for low-income families. Also featured: the 32,000-sf Equinox Van Mission Fitness Club, the new Bar Agricole tavern, a 12,000-sf private park, and an art collection by Jessica Silverman Gallery. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (architect) combined with Marmol Radziner (interiors and landscaping) and Build Group (GC) on the enterprise.
3. FIRST NEW CONSTRUCTION ON CHICAGO’S GOLD COAST
Booth Hansen Architects designed 61 Banks Street for developer Draper & Kramer. The 58-unit luxury apartment building is the first such construction on Chicago’s Gold Coast in 35 years. Darcy Bonner & Associates (interiors), Jacobs/Ryan Associates (landscaping), and Leopardo (GC) contributed to the eight-story project. The two- and three-bedroom rentals and maisonettes feature Bosch and JennAir appliances, wine refrigerators, and Kohler and Toto bath fixtures.
4. WOOD-BUILT PROJECT outside BOSTON GETS LEED PLATINUM
The Harvey, Charlestown, Mass., is one of the first five-over-one wood construction projects and the first LEED for Homes Platinum (Multifamily) apartment building in the Boston region. Designed by CBT and built by Lee Kennedy Co. for Catamount Management Corp., the 177-unit community has five EV charging stations, storage for 184 bicycles, a dog wash and dog run, and a rideshare lounge.
5. COMPREHENSIVE CARE FOR HOMELESS and at-risk YOUTH in Everett, Wash.
Seattle-based Cocoon House supports homeless and at-risk youth through short- and long-term housing. Its new LEED Silver facility in Everett, Wash., provides meals, counseling spaces, a computer lab, classrooms, and recreation spaces for those transitioning out of homelessness. The 40 apartments are organized in neighborhoods of 8 to 10 units, each with a common kitchen, laundry, and living room. GGLO (architect) also did the interior and landscape design. Kirtley-Cole Associates was the GC.
6. giorgio ARMANI DRAPES 56-STORY FLORIDA HIGH-RISE IN HAUTE COUTURE
The Related Group and Dezer Development completed the Residences by Armani/Casa, Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., with interior design by Giorgio Armani, architecture by César Pelli (1926-2019), and landscape architecture by Enzo Enea. The 308 condominiums start at $2.9 million and go up to $17 million for the 5,986-sf north-facing penthouse.
7. SAN DIEGO NETS 160 AFFORDABLE RENTALS
Two new affordable communities are located with a half-mile of a trolley stop and close to grocery stores, restaurants, and healthcare services in San Diego. Stella offers a mix of 80 studios and one-bedroom supportive housing units for formerly homeless persons or those with special needs. Bluewater has 80 one-, two-, and three-bedroom units for low-income families earning 30-60% of AMI. Developer Affirmed Housing partnered with Suffolk (GC), Studio E Architects, Kettler Leweck Engineering, IVY Landscape Architects, NEXUS for Affordable Housing, Interfaith Community Services, and Solari Enterprises.
8. DENVER LUXURY PROJECT EARNS TWO MAJOR INDUSTRY AWARDS
Parq on Speer, Greystar’s 16-story residential/retail tower in Denver’s Creative District, has been named to the 2019 Elite 1% ORA Properties list and a 2020 Kingsley Excellence Winner. Designed by Ziegler Cooper, the 302-unit community has townhomes, penthouses, and apartments from studio to three-bedroom. All residences have smart lighting, Nest thermostats, and Wi-Fi-enabled entry. Amenities: two dog runs, Peloton cycling, a yoga studio, a sports lounge, and a catering kitchen with microbrew taps.
Related Stories
| Jul 11, 2013
Lawsuit challenges modular apartment project in New York City
A plan to build pre-fab apartment buildings at Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn, N.Y., has been challenged by a lawsuit filed by the Plumbing Foundation in Manhattan Supreme Court.
| Jul 10, 2013
World's best new skyscrapers [slideshow]
The Bow in Calgary and CCTV Headquarters in Beijing are among the world's best new high-rise projects, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
| Jul 10, 2013
TED talk: Architect Michael Green on why we should build tomorrow's skyscrapers out of wood
In a newly posted TED talk, wood skyscraper expert Michael Green makes the case for building the next-generation of mid- and high-rise buildings out of wood.
High-rise Construction | Jul 9, 2013
5 innovations in high-rise building design
KONE's carbon-fiber hoisting technology and the Broad Group's prefab construction process are among the breakthroughs named 2013 Innovation Award winners by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
| Jul 8, 2013
RSMeans cost comparisons: hotels, motels, and apartment buildings
Construction market analysts from RSMeans offer construction costs per square foot for hotels, motels, and apartment buildings.
| Jul 3, 2013
Architects team with HUD to promote 'Rebuild By Design' competition for Hurricane Sandy recovery effort
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) today announced a communications campaign urging its membership to enter the “Rebuild by Design” multi-stage regional design competition announced by Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan on June 20.
| Jul 2, 2013
LEED v4 gets green light, will launch this fall
The U.S. Green Building Council membership has voted to adopt LEED v4, the next update to the world’s premier green building rating system.
| Jul 1, 2013
Report: Global construction market to reach $15 trillion by 2025
A new report released today forecasts the volume of construction output will grow by more than 70% to $15 trillion worldwide by 2025.
| Jun 28, 2013
Building owners cite BIM/VDC as 'most exciting trend' in facilities management, says Mortenson report
A recent survey of more than 60 building owners and facility management professionals by Mortenson Construction shows that BIM/VDC is top of mind among owner professionals.
| Jun 26, 2013
Commercial real estate execs eye multifamily, retail sectors for growth, says KPMG report
The multifamily, retail, and hospitality sectors are expected to lead commercial building growth, according to the 2013 KPMG Commercial Real Estate Outlook Survey.
