Boston, MA—Shawmut Design and Construction recently completed three commercial lobby renovation/expansions in downtown Boston for Equity Office Properties located at One Post Office Square, 225 Franklin Street, and 100 High St.
The three buildings received significant face lifts and infrastructure upgrades all while remaining open and operational during construction. The projects were all designed by Boston-based architects CBT/Childs Bertman Tseckares, Inc.
All three buildings utilized Pilkington glass curtain wall systems turning the façades into vast expanses of glass spanning multiple floors. Other design elements common to the three Class A office building lobbies is the use of lustrous marble for flooring and walls, grand columns soaring as high as two and three stories, and exotic millwork accenting the modern spaces.
Infrastructure upgrades were necessary in all three cases to accommodate the expansions. New M/E/P systems, elevator cab upgrades, and security systems were completed to bring the lobbies up to date. An element used both at 225 Franklin Street and One Post Office Square was the installation of new radiant-heat flooring systems.
A considerable challenge existed at the One Post Office Square lobby in that the Langham Hotel is adjacent to the building and its guests’ 24-hour needs and comfort had to be considered along with the building tenants.’ A wall separating the lobby from the Hotel was erected to diminish dust and noise. Regular communication between Shawmut and the Hotel kept the team informed of any guest complaints related to the construction. And the most disruptive work was scheduled during times when the Hotel was not expecting heavy occupancy.
At 225 Franklin Street, in addition to the 16,000sf lobby renovation and expansion, which the team finished almost a month ahead of schedule, an all-glass jewel-box pavilion was created to provide conference space on the fifth floor. Extensive M/E/P system upgrades and reconfigurations were required. Turned over five days ahead of schedule, the pavilion transformed what had been a concrete-clad box into a stunning glass seminar space with incredible views of Post Office Square Park.
At the building formerly known as 150-175 Federal Street, Equity Office Properties selected Shawmut to demolish existing retail and office spaces to create a dramatic new façade and lobby at the 100 High Street side of the building. In addition to the demolition of the existing spaces, the scope also involved structural modifications and significant sitework including new trees, planters, pavers, and stone seating area. The building, now rebranded as 100 High Street, offers tenants and visitors a striking new reception as they enter the building.
