Tradeline, Inc. filters and categorizes new-construction and industry news from regional and professional journals across the country. Here you will find new projects, products, and regulatory updates.
Industry News
Lucasfilm Plan Digital Arts Campus at the Presidio
Lucasfilm Ltd., based in San Rafael, Calif., is converting the former Letterman Hospital at San Francisco’s historic Presidio to a new 900,000-sf digital arts campus. Demolition by Webcor Builders at the 23-acre site began in early December 2001. Design is under way for the new facility, with George Lucas leading the design team. Gensler Architecture is consulting on the project. San Francisco-based Robinson Mills Williams will provide tenant improvements. Larry Halpern is the landscape specialist.
Padre Dam MUD Builds 'Green' Service Center
The Padre Dam Municipal Water District has incorporated many ‘green’ features in its new customer service center and operations facility. The orientation of the $ 9-million building was determined by sun studies, using solar-sensitive elevations to provide shade in summer, capture heat in winter. High-performance low-e glazing is used. The heat-pump mechanical system uses recycled lake water as a heat sink. Recycled material—crushed soda bottle glass—is used for paving, and renewable material—cardboard—is used in wall coverings and flooring.
Saginaw Valley State University Builds Regional Education Center
Saginaw Valley State University broke ground in October on a $30-million Regional Education Center. The 130,000-sf facility will serve the University’s faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, and K-12 educators and scholars. The Center houses 24 classrooms, two computer labs, a 250-seat capacity multi-media auditorium, 65 faculty offices, a student lounge, cyber café, and study areas. HarleyEllis, of Detroit, Mich., provided architecture, engineering, and planning services for the project. Spence Brothers of Saginaw, Mich., is the Construction Manager.
Alkermes Expands in Cambridge
Biotech company Alkermes, partnering with pharmaceutical companies to develop their drugs, is expanding in Cambridge with 150,000 sf dedicated to new labs and offices. A 90,000-sf manufacturing facility is being renovated in Chelsea, Mass., by Alkermes for the production of GlaxoSmithKline’s inhalable insulin, and a new plant to manufacture a drug for Johnson & Johnson is being built in Wilmington, Ohio.
Synygy Plans Move to The Wharf
Synygy Inc. will occupy 178,000 sf at The Wharf at Rivertown, a 400,000-sf former power station being renovated by Preferred Real Estate Investments of Conshohocken, Pa. The 63-acre mixed-use development will provide up-to-date Class A office space, a marina, restaurants, and retail when it opens late in 2002 or early 2003. Architect for the project is Blackney, Hayes Architects.