SKANSKA 9/17/07 11:53 AM Page 50
SKANSKA USA BUILDING INC. – BATTERY WHARF
required toe depths in several areas and
an expansive grouting operation was
required to prevent water from flooding
the site and allow excavation and foun-
dation operations to move forward.
Aside from working in the tight con-
fines of the site, an existing 807-foot-long
granite seawall needed to be incorporat-
ed into the developments design without
being altered. Originally constructed in
1646 of timber, the seawall was part of
the former North Battery Wharf and was
designed to protect the harbor and
mouth of the Charles River.
“We had to drive sheet piling within
the existing boundaries, that essentially
preserved the seawall,” Ellis says. “Wharf
construction that support two of the
buildings was done from the water, while
excavation and foundation work was
formed on landside.”
Working from barges on the water,
Skanska installed more than 400 con-
crete piles, Ellis notes. The pilings were
driven up to 110 feet deep and connect-
ed with precast troughs and planks that
were tied together with reinforcing and
cast-in-place concrete. The wharf ele-
ments extended over the 12-foot-tall sea-
wall and connect to the foundation wall.
The buildings must also meet strict
guidelines as defined by Chapter 91 of
the Massachusetts laws, which defines
the standards for waterfront develop-
ment. With the first residential occupan-
50 ■ CONSTRUCTION TODAY ■ OCTOBER 2007
cies expected by the end of the year and
in early 2008, Ellis says his team is
“sprinting towards the finish line.”
As Ellis explains, subcontracts were
being procured during a time of rising
and uncertain material costs in the
industry. To control costs and tighten the
schedule, a design-assist effort was con-
ducted with several trades on the project
including marine work, foundations,
plumbing, electrical and HVAC.
The Regent will occupy the first two
floors of the six-story Buildings 30 and
40 situated over the wharf, and will
include, the hotel lobby, restaurant,
lounge, bar and meeting space. The pri-
vate residence marina will be adjacent to
Building 30 with water taxi service on
the opposite side, and the remaining four
floors will be occupied by condos.
The five-story Buildings 20 and 50 are
located along Commercial Street, and
will house condos on the top levels, a spa
and fitness center, a second restaurant
and a cafe.
Skanska’s core group of experienced
management on the project – most of
when have 25 years experience in com-
mercial construction and some with
experience on other wharf developments
– has been a boon to construction, Ellis
says. The interior finishes are now being
placed in the upper condo levels of Build-
ings 30 and 40. Interior framing and MPE
rough operations are underway in Build-
ing 50. On Building 20, Skanska is fram-
ing the exterior walls and placing the
brick masonry.
“The exterior of the building is con-
structed with a combination of precast
brick and metal panels,” Ellis describes.
“It fits in nicely with the surrounding
structures in the North End.”
Executing A Vision
One of the project’s goals was to blend in
the structures with the wharf and the
North End community, says project con-
sultant Francois Nivaud, also a principal
at New England Management Services
and former director of The Boston Har-
bor Hotel.
“The North End is primarily a residen-
tial area – it’s not warehouse or commer-
cial – so it has a rich maritime heritage,”
he says. “The North End is a very low-rise
area built in brick. It’s a really beautiful
and peaceful area.
“What we are trying to accomplish is a
blending of the buildings. It’s really a for-
mation between the wharf and the char-
acteristics of the North End – it’s a liai-
son between the two.”
According to Nivaud, a resurgence in
urban living makes the project ideal for
Boston. “In Boston, what you have is a
huge influx in people migrating back
into the city with a very high demand for
high-end urban living, and we don’t see
an end to that,” Nivaud explains. ■