WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

McDermott Will & Emery today became one of the first international law firms to locate its office on Capitol Hill as it officially opened the doors of its new buildingat 500 North Capitol Street. Moving from its prior address downtown to its newhome near Union Station, the Firm became the primary occupant of the new McDermott Building at the corner of North Capitol Street and E Street, N.W.

The new 229,112 square-foot McDermott Building will be home to over 400 D.C.-based lawyers and staff as well as other business and retail outlets. It strategically places McDermott lawyers within steps of the U.S. Congress, the Supreme Court, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Trade Commission Annex, the Tax Court, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Thurgood Marshall Judicial Center Complex, the Library of Congress and Union Station.

The new building also represents one of the largest private sector real estate projects completed in Washington this year. As part of the opening, James C. Dinegar, CAE, President and CEO of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, will join McDermott officials for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Earlier this year, the McDermott Building was named by the Washington Business Journal as the winner of its Urban Office Lease Award.

It is a real pleasure to see all our hard work come to fruition with what is now one of the premier addresses on Capitol Hill, said Bobby R. Burchfield, co-partner-in-charge of McDermotts Washington, office. A project of this scale and magnitude could not have been accomplished without exceptional teamwork. We thank everyone who has been involved in planning this relocation over the past couple of years. Their dedication to this project has allowed our vision for the future of McDermott in Washington to finally come to life.

Originally built in 1966, the building has been completely redesigned and redeveloped to meet the current and future needs of McDermott. Building upgrades include state-of-the-art technology, such as new mechanical and electrical systems, elevators, and an entirely new, glass faade. Built to meet the U.S. Green Building Councils LEED Gold standards for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, the space features abundant natural light, Energy Star-rated equipment and appliances, new furniture with recycled components, and locally sourced building materials. The office also offers a top-floor conference center, a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of Capitol Hill, an on-site parking garage and prominent exterior signage to reinforce the McDermott brand.

With this move, McDermott becomes one of the first international law firms to be based on Capitol Hill, said Paul Thompson, co-partner-in-charge of McDermotts Washington office. We believe we are on the cusp of a natural evolution as major law firms and large corporations take a closer look at their local real estate investments. McDermott is bullish onthe growth of Capitol Hill as a business district,an important shift weexpect to play out over the coming years.

Since its opening in 1978 with two lawyers, McDermotts Washington, D.C., office has become a broad ranging practice comprising 209 attorneys. Originally known for representing clients before government agencies, congressional committees, the executive branch, the legislative branch, and before federal and state courts, McDermotts Washington, D.C. lawyers now advise clients on matters ranging from corporate mergers and acquisitions to intellectual property litigation and protection, regulatory issues, employee benefits, white collar and securities defense, tax and other areas. The Firm services clients in a broad spectrum of industries that include among others, multinational corporations, government and political institutions, environmental agencies, international organizations and high technology companies.

Guiding the complete renovation was Boston Properties Executive Vice President Raymond Ritchie, who in partnership with Clark Enterprises, first saw that the site had potential beyond its original construction. McDermott Will & Emery LLP was represented by Lois Zambo and Steve London of Studley, a global real estate advisory firm. Boston Properties and Clark Enterprises were represented by Art Santry, Phillip Thomas, Zeke Dodson and Kerri Mulligan-Salih of Cassidy Turley. The Clark Construction Group performed the base building renovation as well as the tenant improvements and Gensler was the architect for both phases of the project.

About McDermott Will & Emery

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McDermott Cuts Ribbon on New Washington, D.C. Office Building

A recently finalized deal to build an office tower in a church's parking lot could add more than $1 million in tax revenue to local coffers.

Earlier this month, Houston's First Baptist Church said it plans to lease its nearly 4-acre parking lot to the Hines development firm. Hines has proposed constructing an office building and parking garage on the now tax-exempt parcel located along a busy stretch of Interstate 10 near the West Loop, converting the property into commercial use.

The parcel would then become subject to city, county, school and related taxes for the first time in decades. Harris County Appraisal District Chief Appraiser Jim Robinson said that's a rather unusual occurrence.

"Normally, once a property goes exempt for a church it usually stays exempt," Robinson said.

The amount of taxes owed would depend on the new building's value.

The cost to erect a high-rise office structure, similar in size to what Hines has proposed, ranges from $100 to $120 per square foot, according to a construction cost report from Kirksey Architecture.

At a 3 percent tax rate, that could amount to a tax bill of at least $1.2 million just for the office building. The 1,500-car parking garage, which likely would be taxed as well, would generate an additional amount.

As a nonprofit organization, First Baptist still would be exempt from paying taxes on real- estate income generated by the deal, church spokesman Steven Murray noted.

Under the terms, Hines would lease the land from the church for at least 99 years. The church did not disclose the value of the lease.

First Baptist has cited a lack of parking as the impetus for the arrangement.

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Deal to build tower on church land benefits city and county

All of the structural components of the new neuroscience and psychology complex have been completed and the two buildings will be fully operational next fall, according to program manager in the Universitys Office of Design and Construction Mark Wilson.

The construction company Barr & Barr the same firm that worked on Lewis Library and the Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, among other buildings broke ground on the new site in 2010, and the construction is expected to be fully complete by spring 2013.

The two buildings located behind Poe Field on Washington Road are connected by a public foyer whose main doors face Carl Icahn Laboratory and can be accessed from across Washington Road, via Streicker Bridge. A tunnel in the A-level will lead to the B-level of Icahn and continue up-campus along Washington Road all the way to Guyot Hall.

Currently, the company is laying the stone flooring and carpeting, Wilson said. Window installation will occur within the next two to three weeks.

Our biggest push is to finish before winter hits so that we can have good humidity control, Wilson said.

Once the humidity is controlled, Wilson explained, the construction crew will be able to place wooden furnishings such as desks and shelves in faculty offices.

The new psychology building will replace the functions of Green Hall, located across Washington Road from Firestone Library. The neuroscience building will house the interdisciplinary Princeton Neuroscience Institute, which is temporarily located in Thomas, Moffett and Schultz laboratories with the molecular biology department.

The psychology building will be closer to Washington Road than these temporary laboratories. Stretching seven stories above and below ground, the building has a total of 46,000 square feet.

Data processing rooms in the upper levels of the building have a view of Poe Field and the Graduate College tower. Faculty offices will be located along the Washington Road side of the building.

The public space connecting the two buildings will be 30,670 square feet in size and will be one level above ground. The lobby will look down into the A-level student center, where tables and chairs will be set up and provide a place for students and faculty to work.

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After 3 years, neuroscience building construction to be completed next fall

US 19 wreck sends 3 to the hospital US 19 wreck sends 3 to the hospital

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Updated: Sunday, September 30 2012 9:42 AM EDT2012-09-30 13:42:50 GMT

One big construction project that is underway in Albany, the building of the new SOWEGA Council on Aging Life Enrichment Center.

The former Byne Memorial Baptist Church building on West Society near Jefferson Street is being gutted and refurbished. A four thousand square foot addition is also being built.

Right now the SOWEGA Council on Aging has five offices scattered around town. The new center will bring them together under one roof.

"It's going to be a lot easier for people to come and find it all in one place. So it will be more of a one stop shop. We'll have all the information needed for anyone as well as programs and services," said Izzie Sadler, SOWEGA Council on Aging Development Director.

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Construction underway on new SOWEGA building

MANILA, Philippines - The number of new private construction projects were up 11.2 percent in the second quarter from a year ago, the National Statistics Office (NSO) reported yesterday.

Preliminary results of the NSOs construction statistics for the April to June period showed the number of new construction projects from approved building permits nationwide reached 30,614, higher than the 27,525 in the same quarter last year.

The NSO said the aggregate value of construction projects during the quarter also rose 9.4 percent to P60.9 billion from P55.7 billion in the same period last year.

University of the Philippines economist Benjamin Diokno said in an e-mail that while the number of building permits may have risen in the second quarter, it is not surprising private construction as measured in the national accounts was flat in nominal terms and down 2.6 percent in real terms since the acquisition of building permits is just the first step toward actual construction.

Some projects may have been delayed, downsized, or will be completed later in the year, he said.

He also said the rise in the number of building permits in the second quarter from last year may be seen as catching up with private constructions lackluster performance last year.

On a full-year basis, the number of approved building permits were down slightly to 112,881 last year from 113,230 in 2010.

The NSO said residential-type building projects climbed 10.6 percent to 21,118 in the second quarter compared to the previous year.

These projects were valued at P27.5 billion, an 18.2 percent increase from the same period last year.

The number of non-residential construction projects likewise grew 15.5 percent to 3,937 from 3,409 during the same quarter of 2011

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Private construction projects up 11.2% in Q2

DURHAM, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Hart Senate Office Building, the third and largest office building serving the U.S. Senate, now features energy-efficient LED lighting by Cree, Inc. (CREE). More than 150 Cree CR22 architectural LED troffers were recently installed in the American Grill, Sundry Shop and main hallway of the Hart Building delivering a 33 percent reduction in annual energy costs.

Cree CR22 linear luminaires replaced 130 CFL downlights and linear fluorescents throughout the Hart Building, updating the buildings outdated ceiling grid. Designed to last 50,000 hours or more, Cree CR22 linear luminaires not only reduce energy consumption and lower utility expenses, but the new fixtures also minimize maintenance and operational costs for the Senate building.

The CR series is truly a no-compromise alternative when upgrading fluorescent lighting, said Christopher Ruud, vice president global sales, lighting, Cree. Delivering higher-quality light, longer life and greater energy savings than comparable fluorescent options, CR troffers are a natural fit for office settings like the Hart Senate Office Building.

A nine-story structure, the Hart Building has a distinctly contemporary appearance. When its construction was authorized by Congress, the architects sought to design a flexible, energy-efficient building that would accommodate Congressional business and the new technology of the modern Senate.

Ruud continued, Thoroughly modern when it was built, the LED lighting upgrade will allow the Hart Buildings facility managers to realize sizeable economic benefits, while continuing the mission set forth by the buildings original designers.

About Cree

Cree is leading the LED lighting revolution and making energy-wasting traditional lighting technologies obsolete through the use of energy-efficient, mercury-free LED lighting. Cree is a market-leading innovator of lighting-class LEDs, LED lighting, and semiconductor products for power and radio-frequency (RF) applications.

Cree's product families include LED fixtures and bulbs, blue and green LED chips, high-brightness LEDs, lighting-class power LEDs, power-switching devices and RF devices. Cree products are driving improvements in applications such as general illumination, electronic signs and signals, power supplies and solar inverters.

For additional product and company information, please refer to http://www.Cree.com/Lighting. To learn more about the LED Lighting Revolution, please visit http://www.creeledrevolution.com.

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Cree LED Lighting Shines in the Hart Senate Office Building for Improved Savings

Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.s plans for a new office building to replace the 16-story, 451,964-square-foot East Building on its downtown campus appear to be focused downtown, rather than at its Franklin campus.

In addition, some Northwestern Mutual employees who were giving tours of the companys headquarters during last weekends Doors Open Milwaukee event told members of the general public that the company plans to replace the East Building with a new building in the same footprint.

A year ago the company announced plans to tear down the East Building and said it had not determined the size, scope or location of what will replace the building. The company said it would evaluate options for meeting those space needs either at our downtown campus, Franklin campus or a combination of both.

One year later, a company spokesman says a decision still has not been made.

This is an ongoing process and we need time to evaluate all of the options, said Betsy Hoylman, director of media relations for Northwestern Mutual. Well have something to announce by the end of the year.

Hoylman said the companys tour guides were just giving their opinion during Doors Open Milwaukee about what will replace the East Building.

The people giving the tours dont sit on our corporate committees that are making these decisions, she said.

Some commercial real estate and construction industry sources say they have heard about plans for a new building at Northwestern Mutuals downtown campus but have not heard about any plans for a new building at the companys Franklin campus.

One source said he heard from Franklin officials that the company had been in talks with Franklin officials about a possible expansion of the campus there, but those talks have been dormant for a few months.

Theres nothing to report, said Franklin City Attorney Jesse Wesolowski, who declined to elaborate.

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Signs point to new downtown office building for NML

The regions office construction market is making a strong comeback, driven by the expansions of medical and biotechnology companies that are funding new buildings going up in Bostons Seaport District, East Cambridge, and suburbs along Route 128.

More than 4.7 million square feet of office and laboratory space is under construction in the Boston area, up from just 430,000 square feet in summer 2011, according to the real estate firm Richards Barry Joyce & Partners.

The increase bodes well for the states construction industry, which has lost 5,200 jobs this year and has yet to rebound from a recession that halted building activity. Real estate specialists said that is bound to change in coming months as the fundamentals of the market continue to improve, with many companies looking to add space.

The office market overall is in good shape, said Joe Fallon, managing principal of the Boston office of Cassidy Turley, a national real estate services firm. Vacancy rates are down and rents are increasing. The laws of supply and demand are working more favorably now than they were 24 or 36 months ago.

The construction upturn is largely tied to the growth of biotechnology and medical companies that are building offices because of a lack of existing space in desirable areas such as Cambridge and Bostons Seaport District, which has been renamed the Innovation District by Mayor Thomas M. Menino.

But construction activity is not limited to those types of firms. Liberty Mutual Life Insurance Co. is building a tower in Bostons Back Bay, and State Street Corp. is planning a new complex in the Seaport District. Also, Keurig Inc., the coffee brewer, is constructing a headquarters in Burlington, and EF Education First, a for-profit provider of travel and academic programs, broke ground this week on an office building in Cambridge.

Most of the additional space is already leased to specific companies, with developers still unwilling to risk building on a speculative basis in a slowly recovering economy. But one spec building recently got underway in Burlington, the first such project to move forward since 2008.

Bob Richards, a partner with Richards Barry Joyce, said Burlington and other northern suburbs along Route 128 have experienced a growth spurt in recent months. Overall, tenants in that market accounted for 580,000 square feet of additional space in the last quarter.

Thats the best net absorption weve seen in that area in 12 years, Richards said. Its clearly amazing news for that segment of the market.

Real estate specialists said those communities are landing more companies because of their growing mix of popular restaurants and retailers, as well as new apartments and ownership units to house employees.

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Office construction makes a comeback in Boston area

Eight firefighters were hospitalized with burn injuries to their faces, hands and legs after two explosions erupted from the school's chemistry lab shortly after crews arrived at 5 a.m. on Sept. 5.

Investigators found the cause of the fire was accidental and the origin to be the installation site of a vent in a lab area, according to a release Friday. The fire had been smoldering in the crawl space above the lab's ceiling for hours.

The explosions were caused by an increase in oxygen to fuel the fire, a backdraft, after firefighters entered the school's chemistry lab.

Tulsa Public Schools leased the building, located at 2324 E. 17th St., to a charter high school it sponsors, the Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences, less than three weeks before the fire.

The Tulsa Fire Department received assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and its National Response Team, which department officials called "tremendously helpful" in the probe.

Without them, "it would have taken weeks longer to do what we did," said Capt. Stan May, public information officer. "The investigation into how it started and how the explosions happened is going to help us in our training."

The department plans to train firefighters to recognize circumstances similar to those that caused the explosions and will review safety protocols to prevent injuries.

Eric Doss, school director at Arts and Sciences, said that the day before the fire, its contractor, Magnum Construction, had been installing a ventilation pipe from the ceiling of the school's chemistry lab to the roof. He said it is standard for chemistry labs to have special ventilation to help remove odors and gases.

Arts and Sciences has announced it will hold classes at the former Sequoyah Elementary School at 3441 E. Archer St. for the remainder of the school year. TPS is evaluating the Barnard site's future.

"The district continues to explore its options with the Barnard property and we are still in information-gathering mode, working in conjunction with TSAS and our insurance companies," said TPS Superintendent Keith Ballard. "In the coming weeks, the TPS board will make a decision as to how we will proceed with the property."

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School fire caused by construction project, investigators find

Investigators with the Tulsa Fire Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms found the cause of the fire at the Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences to be accidental and the origin to be the installation site of a vent in a lab area, according to a news release Friday.

On Sept. 5, a three-alarm fire gutted the school, which is located at 2324 E. 17th St.

Tulsa Public Schools leased the empty building to the charter high school earlier this year. Barnard Elementary School was closed as part of the district's efficiency effort Project Schoolhouse.

Two explosions erupted within an hour of when crews arrived on scene and began an interior attack on the blaze.

Eight firefighters suffered burn injuries to their face, legs and back. Three were hospitalized overnight.

Investigators say the explosions were caused by an increase in oxygen to fuel the fire -- a backdraft -- after firefighters entered the schools chemistry lab.

Read more in Saturdays Tulsa World.

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Construction ruled cause of fire at Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences