Construction Begins on Connecticut Science Center

Work is under way on a new multipurpose science and technology center in Hartford, Conn. Also, a new condo tower is going up on Jersey City's waterfront.

Science Center Furthers Renewal

Construction finally began on a science education and research center in Hartford, Conn., that is part of a downtown revitalization effort. The $149.5 million Connecticut Center for Science and Exploration had been awaiting the completion of a fundraising campaign, which had a major jumpstart with $107 million in state funding.

Designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli of New Haven, Conn., the 144,000-sq.-ft. project, part of the 30-acre Adriaen's Landing redevelopment along the Connecticut River, will contain 40,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, two theaters, an observation platform extending over the river, a planted roof, and parking. The center also will have classrooms, laboratories, and conference facilities on its 8-acre parcel.

The facility is intended to support science and technology programs as well as offer research facilities and distance training courses.

Whiting-Turner Contracting, based in Baltimore, is construction manager on the project, which is scheduled to open in 2008. Whiting-Turner refused to comment on its progress to date.

The Adriaen's Landing development, overseen by the Capital City Economic Development Corp., already features the $271 million Connecticut Convention Center, a $100 million Marriott Hotel, and a $110 million parking garage, all which opened last year.

New Condo Tower in Jersey City

Construction began in December on a 33-story condominium tower in Jersey City, N.J., on its Hudson River waterfront.

Dubbed 'A' Jersey City, the $110 million building at 389 Washington Blvd. will have 250 units, with the largest two-bedroom apartments measuring 1,370 sq. ft. The developer is a partnership between Athena Group and GoldenTree InSite Partners, both of which are based in New York.

Designed by Hillier Architects of Princeton, N.J., in association with New York's Schuman, Lichtenstein, Claman and Efron Architects, the building will feature a brick and glass façade, 10,500 sq. ft. of retail space, a 238-space parking garage, and balconies in each unit.

New York's HRH Construction is construction manager. The topping off is scheduled for November, with occupancy slated for a year later in December 2007.

Boutique Hotel for Long Island City

A boutique hotel development in the Long Island City section of Queens will add three new floors on top of an existing building to give all 60 rooms a Manhattan skyline view.

The $5.2 million project, located just south of the 59th Street Bridge, will combine the existing 50-year-old structure's 7,000 sq. ft. with 43,000 sq. ft. of new space. Designed by New York's Steven Kratchman Architect, the addition will integrate tan stucco to blend in with the existing façade, extend the elevator shafts now in place, and feature concrete and steel balconies in some of the units.

According to Kratchman, developer and >> construction manager Ravi Patel wanted to position the Queens Plaza Hotel to take advantage of ongoing and expected development in the area, where firms ranging from Citigroup to the United Nations Federal Credit Union are building new corporate towers. Construction is slated for completion in December.

Factory Conversion in Tribeca

A gut renovation and construction for a new addition that is currently under way in Manhattan's Tribeca neighborhood will transform a pre-Civil War building into residential condominiums.

Designed by Mexican-born architect Enrique Norten, the 136,000-sq.-ft. project will combine a renovated, block-long seven-story manufacturing facility at One York St. with a 14-story glass tower inserted between two existing segments of the building and expanded over their roofs.

The building will contain 9,000 sq. ft. of retail space, a fourth-floor swimming pool, an indoor parking garage, and 40 loft residences, ranging from 850 to 3,160 sq. ft. and priced from $1 million to $15 million. Some apartments will feature wraparound terraces and one penthouse suite will come with a personal lap pool.

New York-based Bovis Lend Lease is general contractor on the $40 million project. The building is slated for completion in August 2007.

Law School Plans Expansion

New York Law School plans to construct a new building near its Lower Manhattan home to expand its classroom space and update technological capabilities.

The New York City Industrial Development Agency, which is administered by the city's Economic Development Corp., has approved the sale of about $145 million in bonds on behalf of the school, which will also receive a tax waiver of about $4 million for mortgage costs. The money would apply to the new building.

The new 337,000-sq.-ft. facility, bounded by Leonard and Worth streets and West Broadway, will be the first phase of a larger capital renovation plan. Construction on the building is expected to start later this spring, according to the economic development corporation. The school did not respond to requests for comment on whether it has a schedule for other elements of the capital plan.

School Breaks Ground in Camden

A demonstration project in Camden, N.J., broke ground last fall for a new school and recreation facilities.

The state will provide $72 million for the construction of a new 122,000-sq.-ft. Octavius V. Catto Community School for 540 pre-K to 6th-grade students to replace the existing Catto school located nearby. Octavius Catto was a 19th-Century civil rights leader in Philadelphia.

The project also entails building a new facility for the Boys & Girls Club of Camden County, which will contain a 7,000-sq.-ft. swimming pool accessible to Catto students and area residents. The club will finance and operate the pool facility. In addition, the project involves constructing publicly accessible athletic fields and a 12-acre park.

The Camden Redevelopment Agency is coordinating the project along with the New Jersey Schools Construction Corp. The project is one of six state-approved demonstration projects featuring schools as catalysts for residential and retail development. Keating Group of Philadelphia is serving as construction manager.

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