Mixed-Use

Boston – Marr Scaffolding Company’s (MSC) Mast Climber Division is installing mast climber work platforms at the Atrium on Commonwealth, located at 1079 Commonwealth Avenue in Allston.

The building is undergoing a complete interior and exterior renovation which will be phased over the next 18-24 months. Led by owner and general contractor Hamilton Company, the project includes the demolition of its exterior facade, comprised of block, brick and EIFS, down to its concrete shell. Following repair work, the original structural concrete will be waterproofed and insulated, and new metal panels and windows will be installed. MSC’s Mast Climber Division is installing four twin F-300 mast climber work platforms, two twin F-200s and one single F-200. These work platforms will be relocated around the building in phases as various trades complete their work. For glass contractor Salem Glass Company, Marr will install a monorail system and additional supports on the mast climber platforms so that the glass panels can be efficiently set in place.

Additionally, the concrete facade of the building’s interior courtyard is being restored. Here, Marr is installing two

Marr Scaffolding Company is installing three mast climber work platforms in the Atrium’s courtyard. twin F-200s and a single F-200. The single platform will be elevated one floor above grade level over an indoor pool that divides the courtyard in two; prior to installation, shoring will be built to support the equipment. To maneuver the mast climbers into the courtyard, MSC’s sister company, Marr Crane & Rigging, is using a forklift to transport the units through a narrow egress created on the first floor. MSC’s mast climbing equipment will be relocated several times around the perimeter of the building, including the street facing side during the final phase of the project.

In a narrow alleyway off of Commonwealth Avenue, four twin F-300 work platforms are being installed in a split configuration, reducing labor costs and increasing efficiency.

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Miscela apartment community

Somerville, MA – Assembly Row, a mixed-use neighborhood in Somerville, welcomes new local and national brands this fall as part of Phase 3 of the development.

National destination shops including Lululemon Pop-Up, Madison Reed, Purple, and Vineyard Vines Outlet join Union Square Donuts, Sav-Mor Spirits, and Juicygreens, planning for openings in the next few months.

At FITROW, the property’s dedicated fitness hub, SweatHouz is opening an elevated infrared sauna experience in its first Massachusetts location. Additionally, Ashley Furniture is moving into Assembly Row Marketplace to expand the destination’s home decor offerings.

“Assembly Row continues to attract the best of both local and national brands to create a vibrant experience for our residents, employees, neighbors and visitors,” said David Middleton, general manager for Federal Realty at Assembly Row.”

As Phase 3 nears completion, openings have also included 455 Grand Union Boulevard, an office tower which is home to PUMA’s North American headquarters, and the 500-unit Miscela luxury apartment community. These two buildings have also brought new outposts for CVS, sweetgreen, Shake Shack and Warby Parker to the neighborhood.

Somerville, MA – Kaplan Construction recently announced the completion of CALA, a 91,000sf adaptive reuse of the former Powder House Community School in Somerville.

Located at 1060 Broadway, CALA is an inclusive, intergenerational urban village with 48 residences and accessible green space. In 2017, Kaplan was hired to provide preconstruction and construction management services and worked closely with the architect, co-owner, and developer, Sebastian Mariscal Studio, to create a campus-style environment.

The 91,000sf building sits on a compact two-acre parcel. The residential units include 55+ senior living and artist live/work units, with 20% of the units designated as affordable. Five commercial properties spanning over 23,000sf feature office space.

A public park adds a half-acre of usable green space for the residents of Somerville. Designed and constructed in partnership with the city, the park features the restoration of a vital neighborhood path, the city’s first public bike repair station, and a significant number of native plants, including 16 new trees.

As with many adaptive reuses, the principal challenge of the project was born from repurposing an old building for viable new use. Over a three-year period, the fortress-like concrete building, originally built in 1973, was transformed into an open framework with over 50% of new construction incorporating outdoor space. Major structural upgrades, like additional shear walls and column reinforcing, were performed to meet modern building and seismic code. Of the many structural changes made, the most notable was the relocation and elevation of the existing central courtyard throughout the first floor of the building. The reconfiguration freed up space for a resident garage while allowing the new, elevated courtyard to enjoy increased light and ventilation. The extensive modifications to the building

View of Interior / Photo by Mike O’Donogue Exterior facade / Photo by Sabrina Baloud inverted many of the core elements of the existing structure, creating significant waterproofing challenges that the team had to overcome.

The project achieves 29 of the 39 goals set by SomerVision, the city’s 20-year plan for evolution into a model for urban planning, smart growth, open space, public transit, sustainability, diversity, artistry, and community.

Central courtyard / Photo by Rafael Gamo

The project team members include MarKa/Sebastian Mariscal Studio, coowner/developer; Sebastian Mariscal Studio, architect; Kaplan Construction, construction manager; Foley Buhl Roberts, structural engineer; Wozny/ Barbar & Associates, MEP/FP engineer; EBI Consulting, civil engineer; and GroundView, landscape architect.