Quote:
Originally Posted by montydawg
I think most buildings when built are overspeced to allow more weight than needed, so adding a few floors on the top is not an issue. I know certain density concrete is needed for taller structures but engineers can figure out how much additional weight a structure can hold.
|
This is actually quite a common practice, in some places anyways. Not to namedrop other cities in this thread; however, in Rochester, Minnesota which is a medically driven city/community, they commonly build for it. Several of the mid and high-rise buildings are built to later accomidate further vertical expansion. Throughout the city, several buildings have undergone vertical expansions years after they were completed.
The most notable example would be the Mayo Clinic, more specifically the Mayo Building itself, which was originally built up to 12 floors in 1955; however was later expanded to 20 floors in 1968. Even the Ghonda building which was completed in 2001 and connects to the Mayo building which topped out and currently stands 21 floors was built to further accomidate an additonal 10 floor expansion when it will be needed. When and if such an expansion is implemented, that building would surpass the current tallest building in St. Paul, MN by height.