Restoration and Renovation

Kaplan Wraps Up Renovations for The Village Works

Boston – Kaplan Construction announced it has completed interior and exterior renovations to a 15,000sf building at 761773 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain, Mass. The project included the demolition of interior space and a 7,500sf renovation within a historic retail block to create new commercial space including The Village Works and four other businesses.

To build out The Village Works’ new location, Kaplan gutted a former appliance store before installing new spray foam insulation, drywall, glass partitions, and ceilings. To increase the building’s footprint, Kaplan converted the lower level of an adjacent hair salon for back-of-house operations and a staff break room. The space also features an open co-working area, cafe with kitchenette, both a loud and quiet room,

The Village Works / Photos by Josh Kuchinsky Photography

three conference rooms, and 12 private offices. System upgrades include all new mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire safety (MEP/FP); water service; fire alarm system; and gas service. Green building

Bowdoin Renovates Rivers School

Haynes Hall main entryway Weston, MA – Bowdoin Construction recently completed renovations to Haynes Hall at The Rivers School. This was the third in a series of classroom building renovations Bowdoin performed on the school’s Weston campus.

The work involved select demolition and installation of new flooring, ceilings, windows, interior and exterior doors, lighting fixtures, and electrical and plumbing upgrades. The scope also included installation of an ADA ramp, ADA unisex toilet room, as well as new HVAC, sprinkler, and alarm systems.

Previous Rivers projects managed by Bowdoin are the new Revers Center for Science and Visual Arts and its Campus Center. All projects were done in partnership with Dario Designs.

Gathering room selections were implemented throughout, including smart systems, energy efficient upgrades, and reclaimed materials.

Other tenants at this address, including Espresso Yourself, Vee Vee Restaurant, Station 8 Salon, and Salmagundi, received new life safety systems. Several new openings were made in the existing masonry facade for new windows, and skylights were installed to bring in more natural light. In addition, Kaplan replaced and repointed the masonry facade for the entire building. Major repairs were made to the roof, including the century-old front parapet, which was structurally compromised and required a full restoration. After salvaging the existing precast, Kaplan repaired the steel structure and rebuilt the parapet using the original materials.

Renovations to the rear site included the installation of a new groundwater recharge system, lighting, and parking lot. Updated landscaping elements feature trees and plantings along with an irrigation system. The new multi-level shared courtyard houses a bar and dining area under a glass roof for building users.

The Village Works

The project team members also include 769 Centre Street LLC, owner; Spear Design Group, architect; The Village Works, interiors; Roome & Guarracino, structural engineer; Wozny Barbar, MEP/FP; Everett M. Brooks, civil engineer; Michael Wasser Associates, landscape architect; and Cavanaugh Tocci, acoustics.

Marr Begins Work at One Alewife Ctr.

Cambridge, MA – Working for construction manager AECOM Tishman and in conjunction with site development contractor J. Derenzo Company, The Marr Companies has begun work at One Alewife Center in Cambridge, a MassDEP site formerly occupied by W.R. Grace chemical company that was found to be contaminated with asbestos and hydrocarbons. Three entities of Marr will be heavily involved in the soil excavation process: Daniel Marr & Son, Marr Scaffolding Company and Marr Crane & Rigging.

Named One Alewife Center by current owner IQHQ, the project is located near Alewife Station along Alewife Brook Parkway. Two existing buildings plus three newly constructed buildings and a new parking garage comprise the majority of new development which is slated for research.

Daniel Marr & Son will erect four large tents on the site to provide cover during the excavation and treatment of the soil. Each tent will measure 100 feet by 200 feet and will be 46 feet high at the peak. The tents are constructed of aluminum framing and have a fabric shell; each tent is designed to be taken apart and reassembled in three sections. Utilizing crawler cranes, the 30,000 pound tent sections will be relocated around the site as each section of excavation is completed – this process could be repeated some 50 times given the massive size of the site. Excavation is expected to take approximately one year, starting this fall.

Daniel Marr & Son will act as project manager and will oversee the site and the various labor forces including ironworkers, laborers, operating engineers and carpenters. The initial tent erection will utilize cranes provided by Marr Crane & Rigging. Marr Scaffolding boom lifts, scissor lifts and telehandlers will be greatly utilized throughout the project.

Marr was uniquely suited to meet the demands of this project given the company’s various union affiliations and its ability to provide the variety of equipment needed, according to representatives of the company.