A few weeks after construction began on this educational software company’s tenant-improvement project, a full ADA core restroom upgrade was introduced to the scope, including new high-efficiency plumbing fixtures, stainless steel partitions, stone counters, tile finishes and lighting upgrades.
The owner-initiated change meant Coakley & Williams crews had to add a second field team to the 112,000-sq-ft, high-end office space build-out.
Owner: Blackboard Inc. Washington, D.C.
General contractor: Coakley & Williams Construction Inc., Gaithersburg, Md.
Architect: Hickok Cole Architects, Washington
HVAC contractor: Potomac Mechanical Contractors Inc., Gaithersburg
Plumbing contractor: Water Works Plumbing Inc. Gaithersburg
Electrical contractor: Tipton Electric Inc., Glenelg, Md.
Structural steel contractor: Tri-State Steel Erectors Inc, Glen Burnie, Md.
Demolition contractor: Selective Demolition & Hauling LLC, Gaithersburg
Millwork contractor: Creative Dimension Group, Fredericksburg, Va.
Painting contractor: Cochran & Mann Inc., Gaithersburg
Crews were further challenged by the project’s location atop a working television studio. ESPN occupies the lower levels of the building and films programs throughout the workday. Contractors coordinated mechanical and electrical outages, noise-related activities, elevator usage and building material deliveries with the station’s ever-changing live broadcasting schedule.
The build-out – which encompassed four floors of an existing building – included a three-story, connecting, ornamental staircase; a new data center with individual mechanical, fire suppression and UPS systems; substantial MEP upgrades throughout; and new exterior storefront work.
