175 North Harvard Street Project Construction Impacts Update
The following is an overview of the work taking place at the 175 North Harvard construction site at the
future location of the new Harvard University affiliate housing building and American Repertory Theatre
(ART):
- The structural steel phase of the housing project is ongoing and with decking and detailing will continue through mid-December. Steel beams deliveries are offloaded and installed using the tower crane. Crews are working on level 8 and 9 with levels 10 and 11 to follow. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing trades continue to work on site. A subcontractor will be working on small utilities next week, including storm, duct bank, and data. Rebar installation continues as well as exterior waterproofing. Crews are also fireproofing at first and second floors. This work will continue progressing up the building.
- Neighbors can anticipate several road closures on South Campus Drive in support of concrete operations to allow for concrete pump placement and site access. All pours are anticipated to take place on weekdays during normal working hours with the road being returned at the end of each day. All signage and details will be provided to divert traffic as needed.
- Three concrete deck placements can be expected each week this month during regular work hours – some finishing work may extend beyond 6:00 p.m. depending on weather conditions. A pump truck will be present on South Campus Drive during concrete pours. Within the next few weeks, additional work will include concrete deck placements on levels four through eight, precast stair installation, and exterior building wrap to retain heat in the coming weeks.
- The housing contractor is grading and prepping an area for the temporary construction hoist. Work includes sitework, rebar, and concrete. The hoist is expected to go up by November 15.
- As the building grows in height, there is an increase in personnel on upper floors and on exterior staging.
- The tower crane will be in use for the next two and a half months during normal working hours and will be placed in weathervane mode with safety lighting turned inward at the end of every shift.
- Wheel washing and street sweeping continues to ensure soil is not being tracked through the neighborhood streets.
- On the new American Repertory Theater (ART) work site, a mix of excavating, backfilling, placements, footings, and walls continues. Excavation for footings and concrete operations continue. Structural slab placements continue. On the east side, crews are working on underground electrical. Additional utility work continues including installing storm infiltration systems, drain work, electrical conduit, and data.
- Concrete placements will continue through November. A concrete slab placement will take place on Wednesday, October 30, with another placement targeted for November 12. It is anticipated that both placements will require some extended hours.
- Structural steel will be arriving on site on December 2.
- Ivy Lane utility work is finished. The road was backfilled and paved on Thursday, October 24.
- Work continues on the building mock-ups to review design and constructability across North Harvard Street. At the ART mockup, installation of sealant colors and a painting will happen next week. Adjustments continue intermittently on the housing mockup.
- Miscellaneous steel, concrete work, and trash removal will be taking place on the next two Saturdays, October 26 and November 2, on the new Harvard University affiliate housing building.
- The project’s regular work hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays as permitted by the City of Boston from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.