Industry News

Associated Press (AP) is renovating their 40,000-sf broadcast news center in Washington, D.C.  AP is working with the architectural firm Liminality, based in Washington, on the $1-million phased overhaul to increase the functionality of the 200-person space by improving lighting and flooring, and creating clearer lines of sight between work areas and the command desk. The general contractor on the project is F.J. Corbett  of Fairfax, Va. The external project manager is Magellan Group Real Estate Services based in Vienna, Va.

Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s new 746,000-sf headquarters is under construction in Midtown Atlanta. The $145-million project was designed by the Atlanta company Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart & Associates  in association with a New York architectural firm, Robert A.M. Stern Architects. In addition to the bank, the facility will include a monetary museum, public areas with plazas, grassy areas with park benches, and historic elements. The ten-story building is scheduled to open in 2001.

DaimlerChrysler Financial Services has retained HarleyEllis for the design of a new $80-million North American headquarters in Auburn Hills. A 360,000-sf complex is planned for 24 acres adjacent to the company’s existing headquarters. The five-floor building will house 1,500 employees and will include a five-level parking deck and atrium, cafeteria with patio seating, 200-seat auditorium, and training and conference center. Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2000, with completion in 2002. Walbridge Aldinger of Auburn Hills is the construction manager.

Nissei Sangyo America Ltd. (NSA) and Hitachi Instruments Inc. (HII) have plans to jointly occupy a new 64,405-sf structure under construction in Pleasanton. NSA provides sales, and HII provides service, for Hitachi electron microscopes. The new facility provides a single location for customers seeking service, instruction, and demonstrations. A class-100 cleanroom will be incorporated in the demonstration area.

Sigma-Aldrich Corp. recently broke ground for its new fast-track $57-million Life Science Technology Center in downtown St. Louis. The project includes construction of a 133,000-sf lab building with three stories above grade and one below grade. Lab and office space will surround a three-story atrium in the center of the building. In addition, an attached one-story, 12,000-sf learning center with auditorium will be constructed.