PHILADELPHIA | W Hotel & Element by Westin | 617 FT | 51 FLOORS

[1487]

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

Nothing that we didn't know and don't think the parking lot will re-open as speculated.

http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/...construction-has-started-completion.html

Quote:

"It's early in the process." "We're looking at sensitive areas of the foundation before we dig the entire hole," said Matt Morgan of Tutor Perini's Philadelphia office. "We could start as early as next month depending on what they find."

I was just going to post that. It certainly seems like things are formally underway. I guess there are certain things they have to actually see in relation to the foundation of the adjacent building before they know exactly how to excavate or how to support that wall. When I walked by there were several engineers meeting with some of the contractors in the lot discussing whatever must have been exposed.

I do remember that building coming down now, that was the first year I was working downtown. BTW, the rendering for the second 1441 proposal was NICE. Too bad that building wasn't built- looks better than what is currently being proposed.

[josef]

Photos from today. I think I see one of the beams 1487 mentioned.

[1487]

Today they are digging out an area near the Residences at Ritz foundation.

[boxbot]

It certainly looks like they just filled that hole back in (from Building Philly on FB photos). Not good.

[Philly Fan]

Originally Posted by boxbot

It certainly looks like they just filled that hole back in (from Building Philly on FB photos). Not good.

Although not necesssarily bad. It could just be that they've finished this initial stabilization of the neighboring foundation(s), and possibly some utility relocation, and are backfilling in preparation for the next step.

Keep in mind the recent explanation of this project by one of our resident insiders and experts, RWSMADCONC:

Abbonizio has to sheet and shore to dig about 50 feet below the present sidewalk elevations, on the property lines. This is going to take some time; the last time I checked, the plan was that the excavation will be braced with big steel pipe struts from north to south at two or three levels for the west half of the site, and there is a lot of underpinning needed for the Ritz Hotel to the north, and to the east for the old Girard Bank Dome Building that will demand careful (and slow) work. Look for utility relocation to happen in the near term, then stripping of the asphalt and some fill removal, then soldier pile drilling, followed by bulk excavation. As the dig down, they will install wood lagging, and big-ass steel beam walers from pile to pile, and add the pipe struts, then go lower, and repeat the process. It's gonna take time!!!! Be patient! It may be 5 to 7 months of excavation before the mat construction actually begins.....then more than a year to top off. Please keep in mind that this is all a guestimate on my part based on the bidding process, Tutor-Perini may have some tricks up their sleeve to beat this guess of a schedule.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=6921050&postcount=657

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by boxbot

It certainly looks like they just filled that hole back in (from Building Philly on FB photos). Not good.

That doesn't matter at all. This is again the same thing that happened with 1919 Market. They finished stabilizing the neighboring foundation and then back-filled in the hole. It's easier to work with a clean completely level site then it is to work with one with a bunch of holes everywhere which you need to maneuver around.

Now if they start repaving the parking lot, THAT wouldn't be a good sign lol. I doubt that will happen though. They'll probably finishing stabilizing existing foundations to surround buildings then fill and level the lot/dig up the remaining asphalt and then start excavation.

[1487]

im thinking they have to backfill due to the small lot. Otherwise the pile of dirt would get too big. They are probably going to start digging on the north boundary of the lot next.

[philliesphinest]

They filled in all the holes they were working on during the week. They removed the parking sign and the two payment kiosks from the parking lot. They also came and removed the construction fencing as well. They have not worked on the site since Tuesday but the machinery is still here. It looks as if someone else will be coming in to due the excavation.

[Philly-Drew]

Originally Posted by philliesphinest

They filled in all the holes they were working on during the week. They removed the parking sign and the two payment kiosks from the parking lot. They also came and removed the construction fencing as well. They have not worked on the site since Tuesday but the machinery is still here. It looks as if someone else will be coming in to due the excavation.

Hopefully all of this is a good sign! Like most of you, I would be very excited to see this project take off.

[summersm343]

From Building Philly



https://www.facebook.com/BuildingPhilly

[McBane]

I got excited. Thought maybe there was actual news here but it's nothing we already don't know. http://www.philly.com/philly/business/WElement-.html

[1487]

Originally Posted by McBane

I got excited. Thought maybe there was actual news here but it's nothing we already don't know. http://www.philly.com/philly/business/WElement-.html

Never get excited about this project, it will always let you down. Has been doing that for years now.

[zakuc258]

Originally Posted by 1487

Never get excited about this project, it will always let you down. Has been doing that for years now.

It looks like it is coming though slowly but surely. Starwood Hotels has an opening date of January 1st, 2018 listed on their website for both the W and the Element.

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/di...play=hotels&pageType=list&regionName=all

[MetroSplash]

This morning I noticed they were filling a large dump truck from the big pile of dirt on the southwest corner. I assume that if they're trucking dirt away, that would indicate that the parking is NOT reopening. But who knows?

[1487]

Originally Posted by MetroSplash

This morning I noticed they were filling a large dump truck from the big pile of dirt on the southwest corner. I assume that if they're trucking dirt away, that would indicate that the parking is NOT reopening. But who knows?

One thing is for sure, a LOT of folks are watching this site and anticipating start of construction. There are updates on almost every notable development related site plus the PBJ. People are ready to see some action here!

[MikeNigh]

Looks like they filled the hole back in...

[1487]

well the good news is the sign announcing reopening of the lot is gone. I guess they are done exploring and can move on with excavation.

[Philly Fan]

Originally Posted by 1487

well the good news is the sign announcing reopening of the lot is gone. I guess they are done exploring and can move on with excavation.

Also, this lot has now been removed from the map of Center City parking lots on the Parkway web site (it was still showing up there a few weeks ago when the lot was first closed and digging had just begun):

http://www.parkwaycorp.com/index.php?id=122

As you implied, it could be that they were just keeping their options open pending the completion of the investigation/stabilization/reinforcement of the neighboring foundations. So perhaps backfilling those areas is actually a good sign, and it's now full steam ahead.

[1487]

hopefully someone will walk by there soon and see whats happening this week.

[MikeNigh]

Originally Posted by 1487

hopefully someone will walk by there soon and see whats happening this week.

Appears to be nothing so far. Still just the same machinery sitting on the filling up hole.