Royal Caribbean headquarters
Building through collaboration
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It’s a big world. Plaza is building it.
Sky Rise Miami
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PLAZA CONSTRUCTION
The global contractor is delivering prestigious and award-winning hospitality, commercial, corporate, and residential projects by leveraging new technologies with a forward-thinking approach
F
ounded in 1986, Plaza Construction strives to be an outstanding builder and trusted partner, creating value for its clients
and their communities, through a commitment to excellence and integrity. The company started 04
to expand significantly in 2004 with operations in Miami. Subsequently, Plaza established a presence in Washington DC and in the past 18 months has set up shop in central Florida, specifically in Tampa and Orlando. “We’ve also opened up an office in Los Angeles working on a large mixed-use project,” adds President, Brad Meltzer. Recently awarded another sizeable project in San Jose, California – a large data center for CMI, China Mobile – Plaza is aiming to focus on markets like these, with a strong outlook and working in partnership with like-minded clients. Technology plays a big part in Plaza’s approach. “We have a group within our operation specifically focused on innovation. For example, in order to make sure our staff is trained effectively on the systems and software we currently use, such as
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Plaza project at 99 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ Rich Wood CEO company address at Town Hall meeting
Ritz Carlton Residences
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PLAZA CONSTRUCTION
“ Sometimes technology is like the human brain and we’re only using 10% of our capacity […] so it’s important our technology team reaches out to all of our staff, so they appreciate the true power of the tools they have at their disposal” 06
— Brad Meltzer, President, Plaza Construction
BIM360, our technology group, along with support from the manufacturer, holds live training sessions in our various regional offices. This allows staff to ask real-world questions to trainers and get immediate feedback and, ultimately, real-world results,” reveals Meltzer. He explains that Plaza beta tests new software on specific projects to carry out a cost benefit analysis to ensure that upgrades will make the company more effective and efficient in the long run. “Sometimes it might be as simple as selecting a new project and testing that tech over
OTM and Marquis
CLICK TO WATCH : ‘PLAZA CONSTRUCTION SOUTHEAST – CHANGING MIAMI’S SKYLINE’ 07 a six-month period to make sure it’s
a challenge for the industry as a whole
working effectively for us, before we
believes Meltzer. “The biggest issue we
then roll it out company-wide.”
face is with training,” he says. “Some-
Meltzer notes that technology is
times technology is like the human
advancing so rapidly, it’s important to
brain and we’re only using 10% of
avoid a “knee-jerk” reaction to buying
our capacity […] so it’s important our
every shiny new toy available. “When
technology training team reaches all
you’re investing hundreds of thousands
of our staff so they appreciate the true
of dollars in new solutions, it’s important
power of the tools they have at their
to make sure these advancements can
disposal. Plaza’s CEO Richard Wood
help your business today. And have the
is a builder first, a former superinten-
patience to wait for the right technology
dent, who believes in empowering
that works for your organization.”
people through workshops and
While technology can provide opportunities, it also represents
mentoring – it’s part of Plaza’s forwardthinking philosophy.” w w w.pl a z a c o nst ruc t i on . com
Plaza uses software solutions such
phone and speak to the architect or a
as PlanGrid (part of the BIM 360 suite
subcontractor/vendor at their fabrication
from Autodesk) to enhance efficiencies
facility and know they are collaborating
on site. “Five years ago, our superin-
in real time. They can take a picture of
tendents would be walking the job site,
a job site condition, tag it to their iPad,
with a set of plans,” explains Meltzer,
to that location, and then are able to
“but there was almost no way to
discuss and solve that issue.” Innova-
confirm if that was the latest set of
tion is a core value at Plaza and one
drawings. They would need to ask if
Meltzer believes makes its staff feel
the drywall and electrical foremen have
part of a forward-thinking group. “It’s
the latest set? But now, we hand out
also really helping with recruitment of
iPads to all key individuals on site and
some of the best and brightest young
we’re able to know with certainty
people in the industry.”
they’re working with the latest set of
Meltzer believes that Plaza’s
plans. They can now just pick up the
collaborative approach, involving
E XE CU T I VE PRO FI LE
Brad Meltzer A master of architecture with more than three decades of experience, when Brad Meltzer began working at Plaza in 1989, he was among members of the current senior leadership team who cut their teeth as in-house contractors for larger developers. “We had no computers,” recalls Meltzer. “We did our own estimating, purchasing, project management and teams were smaller. I think having the opportunity to have performed in those roles, and as a superintendent, has given me a greater perspective on the challenges that all our staff face. It allows me to be a better leader and to mentor members of our team. I think that’s the most important thing, being able to lead by example.”
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PLAZA CONSTRUCTION
“ We’re fully engaged with our sub-contractor partnerships, what we like to call our best in the group, as they are an integral part of our process” 10
— Brad Meltzer, President, Plaza Construction
Resorts World New York Casino
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PLAZA CONSTRUCTION
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565 Broome St, NY 13
“ They are collaborating in real time. They can take a picture of a job site condition, tag it to their iPad, to that location, and then are able to discuss and solve that issue” — Brad Meltzer, President, Plaza Construction
key-subcontractors during pre-construction and utilizing their services in design-assist roles, allows the process to be the most successful. “This approach between client, architect and contractor has proved successful on numerous projects. For example, we’re currently finishing One Thousand Museum Tower, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects (awarded its TCO in June), arguably the most complicated concrete project in America,” says Meltzer. “If Capform Inc. had not been part of the pre-construction effort with us for such a long time, it would’ve w w w.pl a z a c o nst ruc t i on . com
PLAZA CONSTRUCTION
“ The mindset in America has transformed and I think with Plaza’s strengths and the great story we have to tell, we can take our philosophy to wider markets” — Brad Meltzer, President, Plaza Construction
14 been much more difficult to have executed that project in such a timely fashion. Power Design did all of the electrical and low voltage work – again it was critical to have them on board early in the process.” Safety is paramount on all these projects. Corporate Safety Director Tomasz Dering leads safety operations for Plaza, regularly meeting with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) to make sure the company is on track with the latest regulations. “We have safety initiatives to reward the subcontractor workforce for a safe job environment,” adds Meltzer.
One Thousand Museum, Miami, FL “We have an incredible safety track record. Our EMR (Experience Modification Rate) is among the lowest in the industry for a company of our size.” Plaza is committed to building projects of lasting value that not only enhance surroundings but respect the planet. “We work with our clients to make sure that initiatives with regard to sustainability are available through our combined research and efforts with the design team,” confirms Meltzer. “We try to provide these opportunities to our clients at the most reasonable price. There was a time when people thought building green was more expensive but with more products on the market, the cost of achieving a sustainable outcome has become more competitive.” As a member of the US Green Building Council (USGBC), Plaza has built roughly $5bn worth of LEED certified projects across America; it’s a strategy at the core of the company’s offering. “One of our most interesting projects in this field was the 1 Hotel & Homes development on Miami Beach,” reveals Meltzer. “As an adaptive reuse project, it was a gut renovation of an older hotel complex transformed into a sustainable hotel w w w.pl a z a c o nst ruc t i on . com
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PLAZA CONSTRUCTION
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and condominium through the strategic use of reclaimed materials, recycling and effective design solutions. I’m very proud of our team, as
$1bn
Approximate revenue
well as the collaboration with the owner and design professionals, in achieving that LEED certification.” Across all sectors Meltzer sees a positive, growing trend for developers to think more strategically. “They’re not viewing their contractor as a commodity any longer,” he says. “We’re finding the more experienced and savvy developers engaging with us earlier, bringing us on as part of their team, at the same
1986
Year founded
600
Approximate number of employees Century City Plaza development
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PLAZA CONSTRUCTION
Building tomorrow
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Plaza Construction’s President Brad Meltzer is excited for the company to be leading the 500,000 sq ft second phase of the $400mn expansion of the Resorts World New York casino complex, scheduled for completion by the end of 2020. The Queens venue attracts 10 million visitors a year where, in addition to expanding gaming space, the firm will manage construction of a 10-story, fourstar hotel with conference and meeting rooms. Plaza has also
China Mobile Data Centre, San Jose, CA
been chosen by Berkowitz Development Group to build SkyRise Miami; the $540mn 1000-foot tall entertainment and observation tower will be the tallest building in Florida. The Arquitectonica-designed downtown Miami building will overlook Biscayne Bay and include a 55mph base jumping experience, an indoor drop tower ride with a 95mph descent speed and a skywalk at 908ft.
Ritz Carlton Residences, Miami 19 time they’re selecting designers to
operates. “We will steadily and thought-
promote a more collaborative process.
fully expand into markets we believe are
More than 90% of what we do is
growing,” he adds. “For a long time,
negotiated work. We’re working with
construction was a very territorial
like-minded clients and their teams all
business, but I think that’s changing
at the same table from inception to
and regions are expanding. The
completion. That’s allowing us to help
mindset in America has transformed,
our clients with regards to schedule
and I think with Plaza’s strengths and
and cost early on. If they allow a design
the great story we have to tell we can
team to take a job too far before
take our philosophy to new markets.”
engaging with a construction manager, it’s harder to keep a project on track with respect to time and money.” Ultimately, Meltzer is keen for Plaza to continue to be known as the go-to contractor in the markets in which it w w w.pl a z a c o nst ruc t i on . com
Sky Rise Miami
Plaza Construction 120 NE 27th Street, Miami, Florida, USA T 786-693-8700 www.plazaconstruction.com