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. Decking and detailing will continue through mid-December. Steel beam deliveries are offloaded and installed using the tower crane. Crews were finishing on levels 8 and 9 this week with levels 10 and 11 to follow. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing trades continue to work throughout the site. A subcontractor is working on small utilities, including storm, duct bank, and data. Rebar installation continues as well as exterior waterproofing. Crews are also fireproofing on several levels. This work will continue progressing up the building.
- Neighbors will continue to see 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. Signage and details will be provided to divert traffic as needed.
- Concrete deck placements can be expected each week during regular work hours into December – 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 precast steel stair installation and exterior building wrap to retain heat.
- The housing contractor is grading and prepping an area for the temporary construction hoist (exterior elevator). Work includes sitework, rebar, and concrete. The hoist is expected to be installed and operational by the end of November.
- As the building grows in height, please note there is an increase in personnel on upper floors and on exterior staging. This will be less noticeable once the exterior building wrap is in place.
- The tower crane will be in use for the next two months during normal working hours and is 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, and interior and exterior wall and pier placements continues. Excavation for loading dock foundations is underway. Interior slab and exterior wall waterproofing is ongoing. Utility installation around the perimeter of the building continues.
- Structural steel will be arriving on the ART site on December 2, and installation will run through January. A crane will arrive the week of November 25 to support this work.
- Work continues on the building mock-ups to review design and constructability across North Harvard Street. At the ART mockup, activities will take place intermittently. Independent light fixture mockups will begin in two weeks. Adjustments continue intermittently on the housing mockup to include framing, sheathing, and masonry.
- Miscellaneous steel, concrete work, and fireproofing will be taking place this Saturday, November 16, on the new Harvard University affiliate housing building. The site will be closed on Saturday, November 23 with added security due to the Harvard -Yale football game.
- At the ART job site, a subcontractor will be working on foundation wall forms from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. over the next two Saturdays, November 16 and 23.
- 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.