Howard Building Corporation

Project Description

This 380,000 square foot project for a premier financial services firm is one of the most significant projects Howard Building Corporation has completed. The partnership between the client, the landlord, the project manager, the architect, the municipality, and HBC was unlike any collaboration prior to this. Every aspect of the process was executed with commitment from all involved to achieve the highest standards, and the resulting space reflects an unsurpassed level of quality. 

Howard Building Corporation's involvement in the project included every aspect of interior construction and began with a extensive pre-construction and planning phase. The team worked closely with architects at Gensler as well as an independently contracted project manager from Cushman & Wakefield to prepare for the build. By bringing the team together early and establishing open communication and collaboration, the project quickly established a seamless flow that continued all the way through completion. This early involvement was an essential key for success.

With 20 floors included in the scope of work, the project encompassed a number of highly developed areas that would have been considered significant projects on their own, including a full restaurant grade kitchen and cafeteria, a fitness center with locker rooms and yoga studio, a live broadcasting studio, a two story auditorium with highly advance audio visual capabilities, a conferencing center, and four trading floors. Executive floors include a three story connecting stairwell with a running LED trading ticker that travels upward through all three floors, client conference centers connected to hidden pantries that disappear behind sliding wood panels, a feature ceiling that, when lit at night, can be seen from miles away, and private seating areas to enjoy the breathtaking view outside.  

Technical requirements for the project involved extensive audio visual installation and infrastructure coordination. On the trading floors alone, 21 LCD screens for monitoring stocks were installed per floor. There were over 500 monitors installed throughout the entire space. Destination dispatch elevators take riders to their floor without the use of buttons inside the cab. The destination is determined in the elevator lobby prior to entering. An entirely new elevator was installed to service the 2nd and 4th floor kitchens that prepare food for the conference centers.  

One of the most impressive technical aspects of the project is the video and audio capabilities in the auditorium. Every seat has individual controls that include a microphone and speakers, similar to those used by the United Nations. Video cameras throughout the space are linked to large monitors that allow proceedings to be recorded and broadcast within the space. The custom conference table at the center of the space provides individual audio visual controls as well.  

Furniture and finishes throughout are stunning. Extensive walnut panels, flooring and doors, back-lit burl wood feature walls at every elevator lobby, hidden return air ducts in radius drywall features at the corner of every floor, recessed linear diffusers, covered and hidden light sources, wood paneled millwork workstations, fully automated height adjustable desks, and white marble detailing at reception and concierge locations all set the tone of the well-appointed environment.

Completed in two years from the start of pre-construction, the project required intensive dedication from the entire team. The colossal effort that went into the project is apparent in this truly extraordinary space.

Honors