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 December. Steel beam deliveries are offloaded and installed using the tower crane. Concrete pours will continue this week. Crews were finishing on levels 10 and 11 with levels 12 and 13 to follow. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing trades continue to work throughout the site. A subcontractor continues 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.
- The temporary construction hoist (exterior elevator) installation is underway and will be operational at the end of December. Steel stairways are being placed.
- Within the next couple of weeks, the building’s exterior will be enclosed with tarping to retain temporary heat. Temporary heaters are being installed.
- 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 on level 8 to the roof level 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 six to eight weeks, work will begin taking place at the roof level. Personnel on upper floors and exterior staging will continue yet should be less noticeable in the coming months when 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 concrete 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 during the week of December 2, and installation will run through January. A crane will arrive next week to support this work. Multiple concrete placements to enable structural steel installation will take place each week for the next three weeks. There is potential for early work starts and late finishes during some if these placements.
- Mass timber (engineered wood products known for their strength, durability, versatility and sustainability) will follow in February.
- 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. Adjustments continue intermittently on the housing mockup to include framing, sheathing, and masonry.
- Both jobsites will be closed on Saturday, November 23, with added security due to the Harvard -Yale football game.
- Both job sites will be closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 28.
- The ART project will be open, and crews will be working on Friday, November 29. The ART project will also be working on Saturday, November 30, on foundation wall forms from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- 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.