NEWS

News In Brief

Partner projects

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board has awarded Flatiron Joint Venture teams two significant collaborative delivery projects valued at $800 million.

Flatiron and its partner Myers & Sons Construction have been selected to deliver the I-105 ExpressLanes Project. Proposed improvements will provide multi-modal travel options to users of the corridor. Metro transit, vanpool and highoccupancy vehicle users will be able to use lanes without a toll. Revenues from ExpressLanes will be used to support transit programs, municipal agencies and local cities.

Valley Transit Partners, a joint venture between Flatiron, Stacy and Witbeck, and Modern Railway Systems, will deliver the G-Line Bus Rapid Transit Improvements Project. This project seeks to improve operating speeds, capacity and safety of the popular G-Line busway, while enhancing service to passengers and minimizing disruption to the San Fernando Valley residents.

Software solutions

Hexagon AB, a global leader in digital reality solutions combining sensor, software and autonomous technologies, has acquired iConstruct Pty Ltd, a provider of award-winning Building Information Modelling (BIM) software used in commercial, infrastructure and industrial construction.

Its flagship solution, iConstruct Pro, is a proven construction automation tool. “Hexagon has long been focused on creating smart digital realities that put data to work in new ways,” says Hexagon President and CEO, Ola Rollén. “Not only does iConstruct combine different design models into a single source but it also enables communication efficiencies.

“With iConstruct, our Asset Lifecycle Intelligence and Geosystems divisions can deliver greater data management and project planning to more customers, segments and disciplines involved in the construction process,” continues Rollén.

Real-time twinning

Akular has released Akular Twin, a lightweight app that is built on the Bentley iTwin platform. The app enables users to upload a BIM model during construction or have a BIM model created from the layout of an existing building. It means that everyone from construction workers to facility managers can compare updated versions of the same model, detect clashes, or create and track issues.

All this can be done in a real-world overlay through augmented reality and all changes are immediately synced back to the platform in real time.

“Achieving Bentley’s ‘Powered by iTwin’ designation is a massive step forward for Akular,” says CEO, Martin Rapos. “Digital twin applications could immediately start saving investors huge amounts of time, money and materials and make their ESG commitments more achievable. They also provide instant transparency to all stakeholders.”

“As an iTwin Partner, Akular contributes to the growing ecosystem of developers building digital twin solutions on the iTwin platform,” reinforces Sheena Gaynes, Director, Business Development, iTwin Platform, at Bentley Systems.

A true trophy asset

Ofer Yardeni, Chairman and CEO of Stonehenge NYC, has divulged that it has closed on the purchase of 780 Greenwich Street, New York. The six-story, 70,000 square-foot building, which contains 88 residential units, commands a full 148foot blockfront in Manhattan’s West Village. 780 Greenwich is in the heart of the West Village; one of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods. This pet-friendly, doorman building is close to many of the city’s most vibrant restaurants, shops, and nightlife offerings and is only steps away from the Meatpacking District, the Highline, as well as the Hudson River Esplanade. The property also offers duplex units, a rarity in the West Village.

“780 Greenwich Street represents a true trophy asset as it is one of the few rental buildings in the Village with more than 75 large apartments. I am pleased to say that with this off-market acquisition, Stonehenge NYC now manages two of these rare assets, the other being 10 Downing Street, located just blocks away,” says Ofer.

The company will manage the property and plans to upgrade the building’s apartments and amenities to the high standard found throughout its portfolio.

Building bridges

Superior Construction, an American familyowned infrastructure contractor, is building the Sunlake Boulevard extension in Pasco County, Florida, for LenAngeline, LLC.

The 17-month, $39-million project began in June and will traverse 3.2 miles of greenfield wetlands to create an undivided urban interchange with eight bridges.

“The Sunlake Boulevard extension is the first step in creating the necessary infrastructure and critical utilities for business entities in the surrounding area, including the forthcoming Moffitt Cancer Center’s Pasco Life Sciences Campus,” says Matt Stuart, Tampa Area Manager at Superior Construction.

The eight bridges will allow Superior Construction to avoid mitigating the wetlands through which the extension will flow. While the bridges are only five to eight feet off the ground, the geology upon which they are founded is highly variable.

In addition to the main Sunlake Boulevard extension, Superior Construction is maintaining a network of unpaved access roads around the site for use by contractors on surrounding area projects.

Topping off

To a resounding cheer, the final steel beam for Muckleshoot Casino’s highly anticipated resort tower was hoisted into place.

The 1,000-pound, 25-foot-long beam, adorned with the signatures of Muckleshoot Indian tribal members as well as the men and women who built the 18-story structure, glided into place accompanied by a splash of fireworks.

Muckleshoot Casino’s resort tower is already reshaping the economic and visual landscape of the South Sound before its anticipated debut in the fall of 2023. Powered by 500 local workers under the management of general contractor, Swinerton, the project stands proud as the tallest structure between Seattle and Tacoma.

The glass tower - which will boast approximately 400 guestrooms, expanded gaming and a rooftop steakhouse among its amenities - will be the pinnacle of an exciting multi-phase evolution for Muckleshoot Casino.

Image: Muckleshoot Casino COO Tyrone Simmons watches as the final beam for Muckleshoot Casino’s resort tower is placed atop the 18-story structure on August 26, 2022

Constructing science

PMB, a leading healthcare real estate developer, in partnership with Montgomery Street Partners, has received Superior Town Board approval on its final development plan for Coal Creek Innovation Park at Downtown Superior. PMB has hired CBRE, the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, to market it for lease.

The park will be the first speculative purposebuilt life sciences project in Boulder County, an area with historically low vacancy and high demand for lab space. The $280m project will break ground in early 2023 and the first phase will include an owner-furnished, 27,000 square-foot suite space to enable quick occupancy for growing companies in need of highquality lab space.

Initial plans call for three office/lab buildings ranging in size from 85,000 to 150,000 square-foot and a fourth building with ground-floor retail and structured parking. It is thoughtfully designed to drive productivity and foster innovation. Shared lab services will be available to all tenants; including RODI water, dedicated laboratory water, compressed air, glass wash and a lab waste system.

“Life sciences companies have extremely specific and technical needs for their space. Coal Creek Innovation Park is purposefully designed with these in mind. A biotech company that locates here can focus exclusively on its science as its real estate needs are already met,” says Nelson Udstuen, Senior Vice President with CBRE.

Coal Creek Innovation Park will build on a wave of development occurring in Downtown Superior, located along the US-36 corridor between Denver and Boulder. “Life sciences companies are looking to the Boulder/Denver region as a place where they can plant their flag or grow their operations. They are attracted to Colorado’s highly educated and skilled workforce and ecosystem of educational and research institutions,” adds Erik Abrahamson, Senior Vice President, CBRE.