NEW Southern Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu during an inspection of a 6 storey provincial administration building under construction in Choma

Newly appointed Southern Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu has described the construction of a six storey building as a major milestone in the province.

Speaking in Choma today when he toured the infrastructure that is under construction, Mr Mubukwanu said the relocation of the provincial headquarters from Livingstone to Choma has resulted in massive infrastructural developments in the district.

He said so far the project had employed over 200 local people.

This is a massive project resulting from the relocation of the provincial headquarters from Livingstone to Choma. If the relocation was not done, we would not be talking of this massive development today. We believe this is going to be a landmark not only in Southern Province but in other provincial centres as well,he said.

The Southern Province Minister noted that the completion of the office block would greatly address the challenges of office accommodation that the officers were currently facing.

Government has so far spent K67 million in the construction of the six storey building, twelve high cost, twenty medium and thirty low cost houses.

The construction of the houses is expected to be completed later this year.

Link:
Construction works in the provincial capital cheer Mubukwanu

Bloomberg News

Sometime next week, a metal frame will go up around the blocky brick tower at Manhattan's 425 Park Ave., designed to protect pedestrians from falling objects. It's a prelude to the building's demise.

In about three years, if all goes according to plan, the site will have a new Norman Foster-designed skyscraper more than twice the height of the existing one. The replacement would be the first new office building in almost four decades on what the developer, David Levinson, called New York's "grand boulevard of commerce."

425 Park Ave.

The 893-foot (272-meter) tower will rise amid Manhattan's biggest rush of skyscraper construction since the 1980s, with millions of square feet of offices in such projects as Hudson Yards on the far west side and the World Trade Center downtown. Levinson is building "on spec," meaning without any tenants signed up. It's a gamble on the staying power of today's accelerating demand for space, and a practice that's had a checkered history in the city, said Lawrence Longua, a retired real estate professor at New York University.

"Obviously, when you begin one of these large New York office buildings, the market is there when you begin it," said Longua, now an adjunct at Baruch College's Newman Real Estate Center. "But the market may not be there when you complete it."

The new Park Avenue skyscraper, between East 55th and 56th streets, will be narrower than the existing 1950s-era building, and have about the same 670,000 square feet (62,000 square meters) of floor space. The developers are touting it as a 21st century answer to the neighboring Seagram Building, which was hailed as an architectural masterwork upon its 1958 completion.Glass Tower

Plans call for the existing 425 Park, a commonplace stack of white-brick boxes, to be replaced by a 47-story glass tower with three distinct sections. Slanted glass will mark the transitions between the base and the middle, and middle and top sections. The bottom floors will extend over the 45-foot-high lobby, creating offices that will seem to float over Park Avenue.

425 Park Ave. Sky Garden

"Our view in terms of mitigating the risk of building a building on spec is to build the best building we can," said Levinson, chief executive officer of developer L&L Holding Co. "If the market is weak, if you have the best building, you'll still get a premium."

Continued here:
Park Avenue to get first new office tower in decades

Figuring out the citys cost has been among challenges

January 29, 2015 | 12:01 am

CEDAR RAPIDS Just one-half inch separates the foundation wall of trucking company CRST International Inc.s new 11-story office tower, CRST Center, going up downtown and the citys 12-foot-tall concrete flood wall that will stand directly in front of it.

However, David Hayek, senior project manager for contractor Ryan Companies US Inc., said the buildings columns under the ground tie in to the concrete footing of the city flood wall to provide additional support for the office tower via building pilings under the flood wall footing.

Hence, a complication: Who pays for what?

The total project is about a $40 million one, and in August the City Council agreed to pay up to $3.95 million for its part. The citys flood control piece of the project consists of three parts;

l A 20-foot-deep shell for a pumping station

l A gate that closes over a storm sewer outlet in the flood wall during floods

l The 12-foot-tall, 30-inch-wide concrete flood wall.

The wall will run along the river the length of the 200 block of First Street SE directly in front of the 11-story CRST Center, the first three floors of which are a parking garage that extends the entire block.

Read more from the original source:
Sorting it out: Flood wall goes up at same time as CRSTs new tower

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) semi-annual Consensus Construction Forecast, a survey of the nations leading construction forecasters, is projecting that spending will see a 7.7% increase in 2015, with projections for 2016 nudging up to 8.2%.

Though weather-related delays impacted the nonresidential building market during early 2014, conditions improved dramatically and the year ended with greater than anticipated spending levels.The projected increases for 2015 are led by the demand for hotels, office buildings, and institutional projects.

This is the first time since the Great Recession that every major building category is projected to see increases in spending, said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. But by far, the most significant driver that will fuel greater expansion in the marketplace is the revival in the institutional sector, especially with growing demand for new healthcare and education facilities, which alone traditionally account for a third of spending on new building construction."

Baker continued, The overall construction industry appears to be on very solid ground for the next two years. That said, uncertainties in international economies, potential labor shortages, lower energy costs, rising interest rates and construction costs all are factors that we will be watching closely to see how they may adversely impact the marketplace.

See the original post:
AIA Consensus Construction Forecast Projects Increase in Construction Spending in 2015

Washington, DC (PRWEB) January 27, 2015

The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International announces the release of Where America Goes to Work: The Contribution of Office Building Operations to the Economy, 2014, which details the impact of commercial office space on the national and local economies. The report, first published in 2009, shows that the short- and long-term expenditures that sustain office building operationsmanagement, maintenance, repairs, building services and utilitiesgenerate significant, continuous and growing expenditures that support local businesses, create job demand and contribute significantly to U.S. gross domestic product (GDP).

The new study finds that the 10.4 billion square feet of commercial office space located within the markets served by BOMA Internationals local associations generated $82.4 billion in direct operating expenditures in 2013 to the benefit of workers and businesses within their host jurisdictions.

While the construction of new office buildings is often noted as providing important economic benefits, once this construction is completed and these new buildings are occupied, the economic benefits of their operations continue for the life of the building, explained the author of the report, Stephen S. Fuller, Ph.D., Dwight Schar faculty chair and university professor and the director of Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University. Beyond a continuing source of jobs and income related to these buildings' operations, the buildings themselves house much of todays modern economy; that is, the professional and business service workers who represent the largest share of the nations GDP. The nation's office building inventory is, in fact, where the work of the national economy is being done.

Other significant findings detailed in the study include:

This study demonstrates the critical role that the commercial real estate industry plays in driving our countrys economic engine," added BOMA International Chair John G. Oliver, BOMA Fellow, managing principal for Oliver & Company. Beyond contributions to the national GDP, the influence of office building operations can be felt at the local level through new jobs, increased personal income and boosts to local economies.

The analysis included all office buildings, inclusive of tenant-occupied buildings, buildings owned by their occupants and government-owned office buildings. The report also delves into the economic impact of office building operations in the markets served by each of BOMA Internationals local associations.

Download the report at http://www.boma.org/EconomicImpact.

About BOMA International The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International is a federation of 91 BOMA U.S. associations and 17 international affiliates. Founded in 1907, BOMA represents the owners and managers of all commercial property types including 10.4 billion square feet of U.S. office space that supports 1.8 million jobs and contributes $227.6 billion to the U.S. GDP. Its mission is to advance a vibrant commercial real estate industry through advocacy, influence and knowledge. Learn more at http://www.boma.org.

Originally posted here:
Study: U.S. Buildings Operations Contribute $227.6 Billion to GDP; Support 1.8 Million Jobs

Media Credit: Rendering courtesy of GW's Office of Media Relations

Preparation work has begun for a new construction project on Pennsylvania Avenue, although an official date for breaking ground has not yet been announced.

Updated: Jan. 26, 2015 at 3:44 p.m.

The University could break ground on its newest construction project by as early as next fall, transforming a portion of Pennsylvania Avenue.

Preparation work is beginning for the 11-story office building, though a date has not been set for demolition of the existing buildings, said University spokesman Kurtis Hiatt. He said the project will last about two and a half years.

And as the construction date looms, the project's developer will now have to begin the process of selecting tenants to fill the 250,000-square-foot space.

Potential anchoring tenants in the building which would use a significant amount of the space and lure ground-floor retailers could include law firms or health care companies, said John Katkish, an executive in residence professor at American University.

Katkish said officials should aim to fill at least half of the building by the time construction begins a signal that the space inside will be in-demand.

If you can find only 10, 20 or 30 percent, then thats a sign you may be building the wrong product. What the market demands is key. You dont want to build a building a market doesnt want, Katkish said.

Finding a main tenant for the building will also be a critical step toward filling the 7,000 square feet of street-level retail available, said David Versel, a senior research assistant at George Mason Universitys Center for Regional Analysis.

Read the original here:
GW prepares to break ground on Pennsylvania Avenue office building project

Mankato, MN (PRWEB) January 26, 2015

Since 1994, Brennan Construction has been constructing quality buildings throughout Minnesota. By effectively providing design/build, general contracting, and construction management services, Brennan Construction have established thriving relationships with satisfied clients and strategic, solution-oriented partnerships with key professionals and tradesmen. In 2000, Brennan Construction added Brennan Properties, both functioning under the Brennan Companies umbrella.

It is our unwavering commitment to these clients, the strength of great partnerships, and our philosophy of building structures for success, prosperity and preservation that ensures client satisfactionour measurement of success, says Project Manager Joe Brennan.

Brennan Companies has two primary divisions, Brennan Construction and Brennan Properties. Brennan Construction is a general contractor for commercial building projects ranging from roughly $50,000 to $10,000,000 in cost.

Brennan Companies excels at fostering your business growth, both as a general contractor and landlord. We offer design/build and construction management services, and have all types of commercial spaces available for lease to fit any business, says Brennan. Brennan Construction manages each trade involved in completing a project, including excavation, masonry, mechanical, electrical, interior finishes and more. They are ultimately responsible for schedule, cost, and workmanship. As a General Contractor, they provide project estimating, on-site carpentry with supervision, and office management. Brennan Construction is a member of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC.)

As a builder, we act as an extension of our customers, putting their needs first. We always deliver on promises, and find creative solutions to challenging problems, says Brennan.

Bridge Plaza, will have 4 stories of Class A office space, and 3 stories of luxury apartments/condos, including a roof-top terrace, which is the first in Mankato,. They are currently looking for tenants; construction is slated to begin in spring 2015.

Brennan Properties owns and maintains five commercial buildings in Mankato and North Mankato. They currently have 67,000 sf of leasable space divided amongst 30 tenants.

For more information:

Brennan Companies 5275 Edina Industrial Blvd Suite 201 Edina, MN 55439

The rest is here:
Brennen Companies Announces Bridge Plaza, Seven-Story Mixed-Use Building In Mankato

The Past Weeks Biggest Leases Include: Equity Office, Impinj, Lantronix, MANE USA, Shire and Simpson Thacher

The company expects to occupy 167,000 square feet of office space at 8000 W. Sunrise Blvd. by Sept. 1, 2016 and an additional 55,000 square feet commencing May 1, 2017.

The lease is set to expire Feb. 28, 2029. The company may extend by up to two successive 5-year terms. By Mark Heschmeyer

Paired with its adjacent 650,000-square-foot campus at 300 Shire Way, the new space will establish the Shire's operation as the largest suburban biotech campus in the Boston region. Shire is planning to move up to 600 employees currently based in suburban Philadelphia to Lexington.

Shire relocated its Boston-area operations to Lexington from Cambridge several years ago after buying four buildings in the Lexington Technology Park in 2010.

Earlier this month, the biopharm company announced it will buy New Jersey-based NPS Pharmaceuticals Inc., for $5.2 billion. Shire has not confirmed whether if any or all of NPS's 400 employees would be moved to its Lexington campus.

An affiliate of Waltham, MA-based Hobbs Brook Management acquired the Two Ledgemont property in 2012. A former BOMA Building of the Year winner, the building occupies a 36-acre site next to the Rt. 2 and Rt. 128 intersection in Boston's Lexington/Arlington submarket.

Robert Richards and Brian Cohen of Transwestern RBJ represented Shire in lease negotiations and secured interim office space at 235 Wyman St. for the company's near-term growth plans. Chip Batchelder, managing director of Wyman Street Advisors, represented Hobbs Brook Management in the Shire transaction. By Bryce Meyers

Simpson Thacher will be joined by Herman Miller after the office furniture retailer agreed to become the new building's retail anchor tenant, leasing 11,030 square feet.

900 G St. is within walking distance of the Verizon Center and offers immediate access to the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro Station. The building is expected to qualify for LEED Certified Gold status.

View original post here:
Office Lease Up (Jan. 26) AmSurg Signs for 222,000-SF South Florida HQs

TAMPA Hillsborough County Tax Collector Doug Belden has chosen the Tampa neighborhood of Drew Park to build a new service center where customers can get drivers licenses, birth certificates and concealed weapons permits.

Construction of the new 25,000-square-foot building is expected to begin next month at 4100 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Belden said the office will be open for business in September.

The new building will replace the tax collectors office at the Lowes and Target shopping center at 6283 W. Waters Ave.

Belden said he is saving taxpayers between $1.5 million and $2 million because hes building the new office on state-owned land once occupied by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. As part of a deal Belden worked out with the state, the motor vehicles department will use 5,000 square feet of the new building for administrative work.

Taxpayers also will save about $400,000 a year on rent the tax collector was paying at the Waters Avenue site. He is leasing the land on Martin Luther King Boulevard from the state for a dollar a year.

The new construction is Beldens latest move to expand services and provide them in offices closer to taxpayers. In April, he opened a new office building on county-owned land on Falkenburg Road. By leasing government-owned land at minimal cost for the two newest buildings, Belden said he saved taxpayers $3 million in land acquisition.

The building boom is being driven in part by the Florida Legislatures 2010 mandate that the state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles close most of its offices. As a result, many motor vehicle department duties, such as issuing drivers licenses and license plates, are being transferred to county tax collectors.

Written and road tests for new drivers licenses are now being given at the tax collectors office on East Hillsborough Avenue. Belden said his office leases the East Hillsborough site for $350 a year.

Eventually the road tests will be given at two other locations, one in Plant City and the other in south Hillsborough.

We want to geographically cover all of Hillsborough County, Belden said.

Read the original here:
Tax collector to add Drew Park office

Road construction continues Wednesday in the northbound lanes of Interstate 359 as the Alabama Department of Transportation repaves the road.

The reorganization of the Alabama Department of Transportation has proven to be a boon to Fayette.

ALDOT has put a new area office in the city the only new office it is adding in Alabama under a reorganization plan announced last year.

Last week ALDOT announced that it is buying a 52,000-square-foot building located in Fayettes industrial park. The new area office will house highway administration, maintenance, construction and materials operations for a six-county area.

ALDOT, which oversees the states roads and bridges, estimated it would invest more than $6 million during the next three years in Fayette. The move also will bring new jobs to Fayette. How many jobs has not been determined, said ALDOT spokesman Tony Harris.

The Fayette area office will have 110 to 135 ALDOT employees but that number will include managers, supervisors and others workers who will transfer from other ALDOT locations, Harris said.

He noted that ALDOT has lost around 500 employees through retirements and attrition since 2011. Those positions were not refilled, so even if 100 positions were filled, ALDOT still will have around 400 fewer positions than five years ago.

Jobs that might be filled could include clerical, maintenance workers, laborers, warehouse employees, mechanics and equipment repair workers and engineers, according to ALDOT release.

ALDOT said its new organizational structure should provide increased decision-making authority at the local level and more accountability and efficiency.

It is going to have a major economic impact over the next three years for our whole community, Fayette Mayor Ray Nelson said of the new state office.

More here:
Alabama Department of Transportation changes to benefit West Alabama