CHICAGO | St. Regis Chicago (Vista) | 1,191 FT | 101 FLOORS - Page 178

PittsburghPA · #1 Posted **Jul 27, 2018, 11:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zapatan

Well that sucks, I was wondering what was up with the glass

I hope this thing won't end up like Waterview Tower or Pentimonium in Dubai. How is it so difficult to manufacture suitable glass anyway? Why didn't they test earlier?

The developer and McHugh decided to use an inexpensive window wall system (inexpensive even for window wall standards) as opposed to a much more costly but more reliable curtain wall system. Window wall is used successfully in roughly 90% of Chicago projects without issue but typically there is an experienced project management company that sees the glass process through from start to finish. Including ordering parts, overseeing manufacturing specs, ensuring successful mock ups, and installation. All on time and on budget.

In this instance McHugh decided to let the glass manufacturer manage the project instead of a 3rd party. In my opinion I believe that is the issue. And no I do not work in construction so I have no skin in the game.

Zapatan · #2 Posted **Jul 28, 2018, 2:32 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by PittsburghPA

The developer and McHugh decided to use an inexpensive window wall system (inexpensive even for window wall standards) as opposed to a much more costly but more reliable curtain wall system. Window wall is used successfully in roughly 90% of Chicago projects without issue but typically there is an experienced project management company that sees the glass process through from start to finish. Including ordering parts, overseeing manufacturing specs, ensuring successful mock ups, and installation. All on time and on budget.

In this instance McHugh decided to let the glass manufacturer manage the project instead of a 3rd party. In my opinion I believe that is the issue. And no I do not work in construction so I have no skin in the game.

So basically poor decisions and general incompetence led to this... that's very upsetting.

Quote:

Lol quit saying that. this isn't going to end up like waterview, it's 2/3 complete.

While obviously that would be worst case scenario, they can still cap the building early if the financial setback prevents reaching full heights. I'm not saying it'll happen at all, just that I hope it won't. Chicago has a bad history of starting mega projects and not finishing them. (Spire, Waterview etc.)

Bonsai Tree · #3 Posted **Jul 28, 2018, 3:36 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zapatan

So basically poor decisions and general incompetence led to this... that's very upsetting.

While obviously that would be worst case scenario, they can still cap the building early if the financial setback prevents reaching full heights. I'm not saying it'll happen at all, just that I hope it won't. Chicago has a bad history of starting mega projects and not finishing them. (Spire, Waterview etc.)

This is simply irrational. Weren't we just talking about how the 71st and 72nd floors were under contract (I know its not a done deal). That enough should push Magellan to get this building done. Vista is going to top out, it doesn't matter what happens with the glass. It's as simple as that. Please stop having pre-recession ptsd.

Kumdogmillionaire · #4 Posted **Jul 28, 2018, 3:36 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zapatan

So basically poor decisions and general incompetence led to this... that's very upsetting.

While obviously that would be worst case scenario, they can still cap the building early if the financial setback prevents reaching full heights. I'm not saying it'll happen at all, just that I hope it won't. Chicago has a bad history of starting mega projects and not finishing them. (Spire, Waterview etc.)

Oh stop... "bad history"... everyone got screwed over by the recession and those two projects were among the dead. To imply that a city with hundreds of massive buildings has a "bad history" is just bad revisionist history. The building has financing already and 80-85% of the concrete for the project has already been used. I'm not concerned about it being finished at all. It taking longer because of glass is a bummer, but using Waterview and Spire sites as your examples of precedence is comically hypberbolic at best, and intentionally misleading at worst.

Notyrview · #5 Posted **Jul 28, 2018, 12:35 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zapatan

Well that sucks, I was wondering what was up with the glass

I hope this thing won't end up like Waterview Tower or Pentimonium in Dubai. How is it so difficult to manufacture suitable glass anyway? Why didn't they test earlier?

Lol quit saying that. this isn't going to end up like waterview, it's 2/3 complete.

left of center · #6 Posted **Jul 28, 2018, 12:37 AM**

Annoying to hear about the glass. I wonder how much longer the delay could go on for. We could literally have a a topped out empty concrete shell of a supertall for weeks or months. Would look quite surreal... that is, more so that it already does for still being bare concrete this far along its construction.

Notyrview · #7 Posted **Jul 28, 2018, 12:38 AM**

It's definitely looking like a good chance that this tops out mostly naked

left of center · #8 Posted **Jul 28, 2018, 12:39 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Notyrview

It's definitely looking like a good chance that this tops out mostly naked

How embarrassing.

Notyrview · #9 Posted **Jul 28, 2018, 12:43 AM**

my biggest concern is magellan losing a lot of money and then delaying bKL tower. But they shouldn't have done this on the cheap. Tough lesson i'd say.

harryc · #10 Posted **Jul 28, 2018, 12:43 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by left of center

How embarrassing.

That all depends on how you're built.

Notyrview · #11 Posted **Jul 28, 2018, 12:46 AM**

Yeah Vista is built like a Glamazon

bnk · #12 Posted **Jul 28, 2018, 12:48 AM**

No windows going into deep winter would be a serious problem

Especially when it gets below freezing and the plumbing water factor.

I imagine if they don’t have the windows up in place by then they will likey come up with some kind of solution to keep the interior warm and dry.

No sense not mentioning it because well we’ve seen no progress thus far and no real answers so how are going to fix it.

So yes that would be worst-case Scenario.

Kumdogmillionaire · #13 Posted **Jul 28, 2018, 1:10 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnk

No windows going into deep winter would be a serious problem

Especially when it gets below freezing and the plumbing water factor.

I imagine if they don’t have the windows up in place by then I’ll come up with some kind of solution to keep the interior warm and dry.

No sense not mentioning it because well we’ve seen no progress thus far and no real answers so how are going to fix it.

So yes that would be worst-case Scenario.

Why on earth do you think they would have water in the pipes?

left of center · #14 Posted **Jul 28, 2018, 6:15 PM**

Well, all this is quite interesting lol.

My understanding is that HVAC goes in first (then plumbers, and electricians last), since they need the open and unencumbered space to route their duct work, and since electrical and plumbing can literally go through a duct of at least a certain minimum size if no work around is possible.

If the building isn't closed up by the time the HVAC installers are done and the plumbers need to go in, and if for whatever reason its too cold for them to do their work, I'd imagine that they would either have the electricians skipping ahead of the plumbers, or the contractor would just stall the project until glass goes up or the weather warms up. That said, I'm not sure why the plumbers couldn't install pipes in freezing temps so long as they did not connect and turn on the water. I understand this would most likely delay dry walling until spring next year when the water systems can be tested, but this project is already delayed out the ass, so whats new?

City Wide · #15 Posted **Jul 30, 2018, 12:30 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by left of center

Well, all this is quite interesting lol.

My understanding is that HVAC goes in first (then plumbers, and electricians last), since they need the open and unencumbered space to route their duct work, and since electrical and plumbing can literally go through a duct of at least a certain minimum size if no work around is possible.

If the building isn't closed up by the time the HVAC installers are done and the plumbers need to go in, and if for whatever reason its too cold for them to do their work, I'd imagine that they would either have the electricians skipping ahead of the plumbers, or the contractor would just stall the project until glass goes up or the weather warms up. That said, I'm not sure why the plumbers couldn't install pipes in freezing temps so long as they did not connect and turn on the water. I understand this would most likely delay dry walling until spring next year when the water systems can be tested, but this project is already delayed out the ass, so whats new?

All the trades, except the window crews, are probably working according to plan. After the core is poured usually the utilities follow closely behind. This doesn't mean that wire is run to a individual outlet or light, but the systems in the individual units are just a relative small part of the total package. Drainage and vents can and often are run early on as they use gravity and don't have a lot of flexibility is where they can be placed. Pressure systems, like hot and cold water, if needed can be routed around and up and over if something is 'in the way', plus they are much smaller pipes and are intended to be run through and in the wall cavities. .