To construct the 117,000-sq-ft United Community headquarters, crews partially excavated an outcropping of rock so the structure could be scribed into the ground. The cast-in-place concrete structure houses four stories of Class A executive office space with a flagship branch office that extends from the main structure’s footprint.

The skin consists of curtain wall, storefront, aluminum composite material, terra-cotta panels, corrugated panels and a vegetation screen. The office tower also features roof terraces that include patios consisting of pavers with landscape planter boxes. The interior is highlighted by a grand monumental stair constructed with mahogany stair treads and glass handrails that connects the fourth through sixth floor.

Photo by Brian Knox Photography

From the project start, challenges arose that Harper General Contractors had to mitigate. There were unforeseen and unsuitable site conditions that forced the team to change structural foundations during construction. The design team, structural engineer and Harper decided to incorporate rigid inclusions and micropiles, and adjusted the foundation design with shotcrete and soil nailing. The overall schedule was impacted by four weeks, but ultimately the team was able to get the project back on schedule.

The team faced delays in material and equipment arrivals during the COVID-19 pandemic. HVAC units arrived three months late, which affected work on the millwork, flooring and ceilings. The transformer was delayed by six months. Harper hosted weekly calls and reworked site logistics to mitigate impacts on the project. During construction, the terra-cotta manufacturer from Portugal closed its doors. Harper worked with its trade partners and the design team to identify a new manufacturer. Despite all of these challenges, the project was delivered on budget and on schedule.

“[Harper’s] execution of the construction process, attention to detail and high-touch communication process gave us the confidence we needed during an uncertain time,” recalls Robert Poppleton, vice president at The Furman Co., the project’s developer.