New York, NY – April 9, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Turner’s Interiors group in New York recently turned over 120,000 square feet of luxury retail space within Brookfield Property Partners’ 375,000-square-foot retail offering at Brookfield Place. Known simply as 230 Vesey Street, the renovation — a key element of Brookfield’s $300 million transformation of the former World Financial Center — is a clear indication that Lower Manhattan has become a luxury retail, dining and cultural “it” spot.
Fueling this trend has been the relocation of technology, advertising, media and information (TAMI) firms, such as Time Inc., whose 700,000-square-foot headquarters is under construction at 225 Liberty Street, and an influx of luxury residential developments. In addition, new and planned tourist destinations, such as the National September 11 Museum and Governors Island, which will re-open on May 23, 2015 after undergoing extensive site improvements, are attracting tourists from all over the World. Brookfield Place is part of more than two million square feet of new and repositioned retail, dining and cultural space that caters to residents, professionals, and tourists living, working and playing in Lower Manhattan (Source: Downtown Alliance).
“The success of this project is not only attributed to our ongoing relationships with the project’s stakeholders, but also to our understanding of the value that Brookfield placed on this project, and its importance in revitalizing Lower Manhattan,” said Edward Magnani, vice president at Turner Interiors.
Home to luxury brands DVF, Michael Kors, and Theory, 230 Vesey Street also serves as a pedestrian artery connecting the 250 and 200 Vesey Street buildings to the Winter Garden, Marina and World Trade Center Transportation Hub. Turner’s Interiors project team negotiated complex site logistics throughout the project to ensure that critical pathways in and out of Brookfield’s eight-million-square-foot complex remained accessible to building occupants.
Since the start of construction in July 2013, Turner constructed “pedestrian chutes” spanning hundreds of feet between the adjoining buildings. These chutes, composed of sidewalk sheds constructed within the pathways, were used to support fire safety systems, such as smoke detectors and sprinkler heads. The sheds were then sealed behind a layer of drywall, giving the new pathways a finished look. As project phases were completed, the chutes were deconstructed and repositioned to facilitate future renovations. “During this entire process we remained in constant communication with the client, design team and community groups,” said Lauren DiNizo, project manager, Turner Interiors.
“Throughout the entire project, Turner proved themselves, executing complex construction activities while managing a myriad of field conditions to stay on budget and on schedule,” observed Christian Heimple, PE, director of construction at Brookfield. Scott Hayden, senior associate at Spector Group – Brookfield Place’s executive architect – echoed that sentiment, saying, “we could not have had a more professional and dedicated group than Turner Interiors.”
With venerable couturiers Hermés, Salvatore Ferragamo and a Saks Fifth Avenue luxury outpost confirmed as tenants, Brookfield Place sits at the center of more than $25 billion of new construction that has transformed 30 acres of Lower Manhattan into a definitive destination for retail, dining and culture.
Pictured from left to right: Scott Hayden – senior associate (Spector Group), Christian Heimple, PE – director of construction (Brookfield Property Partners), Scott Pengitore – MEP superintendent, Peter Favaloro – engineer, Christopher Johnson, PE – assistant director of construction (Brookfield Property Partners), Phillip Leone – engineer, Peter Henehan – estimating engineer, Matthew Murphy – assistant accountant, Jeremy Beauchemin – project safety manager, Ed Magnani – vice president, operations manager and project executive, Kyle Oest – superintendent, Brett Dommer – superintendent, Lauren DiNizo – project manager, Kezia Chisholm – assistant engineer, Esi-Kilanga Bowser – engineer, John Thomas – project superintendent, Kenneth Faas – estimating engineer, Tony Osekosky – project superintendent, Ryan Arcadia – engineer, Bert Rahm – vice president, senior operations manager, Megan Brothers – vice president, design (Brookfield Property Partners), Robert Krasowski – business development manager.
Project team members not shown: John Latella – project superintendent, Scott Pengitore – MEP superintendent, James Doyle – superintendent, Edgar Moreno – superintendent, Gregory Gutkes – assistant superintendent, Roger Sullivan – assistant superintendent, Jordan Moskowitz – safety.
