Two teams in one colorful and cohesive office space
A full-floor gut and fit-out of our client’s new office space located above Grand Central Station at 200 Park Avenue.
Key Partners
- HOK
- Tishman Speyer
$12,000,000
CONTRACT VALUE
26 weeks
SCHEDULE
42,000
SQUARE FEET
2022
YEAR COMPLETED
700
FEET OF CONTINUOUS CUSTOM LIGHT FIXTURES
This flagship office houses two sectors of our client’s internal organization on one modern and cohesive floor.
Client Goals
Our client consolidated two of their internal sectors onto one floor in a new and modernized office space. While their vision included separate reception areas, trading rooms, offices, and MDF rooms for each group, it was important to maintain a sense of brand consistency and unity throughout the floor.
Design Vision
The upfit of this modernized office exemplifies bright contrasting colors coupled with natural elements that breathe life into space high in the concrete jungle of Manhattan. A variety of workspaces surrounded by natural light and living features allow employees to work in whatever manner is most comfortable for them.
Construction Focus
With more than 15 project stakeholders involved in this fit-out, our team’s key to success was to clearly define and understand everyone’s involvement. This high level of organization informed how various roles influenced one another and provided insight as to how we could execute our construction plan in the most strategic and considerate manner.
Wood-encased Lobby
The design of the lobby incorporated the wood panels used for the floor to climb up along the wall and curve over to cover the ceiling. Coupled with linear lights that are mounted flush against the panels, the installation was highly technical and required great attention to detail.
Custom Restroom Access Panels
12x12 tiles were installed in an aesthetically pleasing way to comply with building regulations and allow access to the plumbing valves. Our team collaborated with HOK to come up with a design that could meet all the necessary criteria.
Living Green Moss Wall
This aesthetic design element provides a natural touch to one of the reception areas on the floor.
This project team had the pleasure of ushering in the first HITT national account into the New York market. This was an opportunity to exemplify that the HITT experience our clients have come to know and trust extends to all our offices, and we were fully prepared to exceed their expectations. Initially, we invested time to understand what our client values in their construction experience and learn best practices from past projects. We prioritized clear and constant communication to promote transparency with any issues we experienced, but always provided alternatives or temporary solutions to ensure that our client’s best interests were always addressed and met.
Unique Challenges, Smart Solutions
Ambitious projects require carefully constructed solutions
Challenge #1
The CRAC units that were required for this space were delayed significantly, but the live date for the office’s network could not be moved or compromised.
Solution
By utilizing temporary coolers that could be used to run tests while the permanent units were enroute, we achieved a seamless transition with no power shutdowns and saved six weeks on the project timeline.
Challenge #2
Supply chain delays on electrified hardware and security systems were slated to add an extra six to eight weeks to the project schedule.
Solution
HITT’s national reach was utilized to help mitigate this procurement issue through the help of a local Washington, DC vendor, DFH. This partnership allowed us to provide our client with solutions in a matter of weeks as opposed to months, allowing us to maintain our schedule.
Challenge #3
Obstacles included double freight elevators, seven-foot entryways, a shared loading dock with surrounding buildings, and multiple general contractors working in the building concurrently.
Solution
To avoid extensive overlap with other teams, our team was committed to starting construction earlier in the morning to organize and align our daily tasks with the appropriate parties. We established a great working relationship with the building management team, understood how to use the building’s amenities to our benefit, and were considerate of our neighbors below.
Proactive and Collaborative Communication
Since this project was being completed in the height of COVID-19, our out-of-town project stakeholders were unable to be in New York and visit the project site often. It was imperative that we enhanced their experience virtually, so we implemented a variety of project communication tools that kept everyone connected both on- and off-site. Procore and OpenSpace allowed us to show the project’s progress through photos, videos, and 360° walkthroughs. Our client felt connected and involved throughout the duration of the project, no matter where they were.
COVID-19 Safety Precautions
After the client request for our project team members to be 100 percent vaccinated, we spearheaded the effort for this project to be HITT’s first fully vaccinated site. We were proactive in communicating this early expectation with our subcontractors and were able to gather information on an individual and confidential basis. Team members were given a custom hardhat sticker as a visual indicator, and we were able to staff the project with zero issues. This swift action created ease and reassurance for our client during an unprecedented time.
The Results
Main elevator lobby showcasing custom light fixtures before entering the office space.
Large conference room for client use that emphasizes natural light.
Flexible, open office space for employees to use.
State-of-the-art pantry that offers multiple seating arrangements.
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