Ratner Considers Prefab Tower for Atlantic Yards
The Times reports that Forest City Ratner is considering modular construction for its first, 34-story high-rise at Atlantic Yards. The story says that though the move would cut costs, a prefabricated tower “is untested at that height” and the move would likely piss off construction workers, who were among the mega-project’s most vocal supporters. Although…
The Times reports that Forest City Ratner is considering modular construction for its first, 34-story high-rise at Atlantic Yards. The story says that though the move would cut costs, a prefabricated tower “is untested at that height” and the move would likely piss off construction workers, who were among the mega-project’s most vocal supporters. Although the the developer has its architecture firm SHoP working on designs for both a traditional and modular building, another consideration is whether a prefab structure of this height would actually result in much of a cost savings, according to the story: “Whether taller modular buildings can be built to withstand intense wind shear and seismic forces, while retaining cost savings, is another question, because the higher a structure is built, the more bracing it would require.” The article says developer Bruce Ratner has been “captivated” by the video above, which shows a modular hotel rising in China in just a few days.
Prefabricated Tower May Rise at Brooklyn’s Atlantic Yards [NY Times]
“NYCGuy7 Its called two wrongs don’t make a right. They teach it in kindergarten.”
but by all means – lets go after those unions first!
NYCGuy7 Its called two wrongs don’t make a right. They teach it in kindergarten.
Quote:
“I think that FCR is in over its head in terms of financial and project management abilities”….
Yeah because Ratner didnt just build the largest residential tower (and the most gorgeous by far) in NYC and because 280 Deklab isnt a huge success!!
I did not say that FCR is not a competent builder of large buildings. They have a great track record for the most part.
However, neither of these examples are in the same ballpark as Atlantic Yards.
DKLB is a nice project, but no different from dozens of others in NYC in the last decade.
Beekman/80 Spruce is a very impressive building that I love, but it is only one building built on a single lot controlled by FCR, and even it looked at one point like it may have financing issues.
Atlantic Yards is an order or two of magnitude more complex. It covers multiple blocks requiring close cooperation with it’s government partner, the EDSC. It has faced numerous lawsuits threatened to to derail it.
The amount of prep work for the first phase is huge, including a rail yard relocation, permanent street closings, condemnations, and a closely coupled MTA subway entrance construction project.
The complete project will require decking over an active rail yard.
The construction of an arena and dozen buildings is not technologically complex, but the amount of financing required would be considered huge even in the best of financial markets.
I don’t think that FCR has ever engaged in a project so complex or costly.
I don’t think that FCR is evil or had some sort of bait and switch plan, but I do think that they have been “victims” of the changing economic environment and their own over-ambitious plans.
“Many folks would change their tune about public unions if they knew how to calculate how much private savings they would need to amass to replicate the ridiculous retirement benefits union members receive that are paid for with taxpayer dollars. Most Americans don’t.”
How’s that any different from KBR donating money politicions elections and paying lobbying firms to lobby the same people they contributed to who then turn around and grant tax payer funded government contracts worth billions?
Many folks would change their tune about public unions if they knew how to calculate how much private savings they would need to amass to replicate the ridiculous retirement benefits union members receive that are paid for with taxpayer dollars. Most Americans don’t.
“I am not an expert on construction, but I know the Empire State Building was built at a speed that is completely unheard of today.
As impressive as that was, it wasn’t exactly necessary to complete that under a fast deadline. It was pretty empty for a while once it was completed. In fact it was one guys job to go from floor to floor turning on the lights at night so the building didn’t look so dark.
I am not an expert on construction, but I know the Empire State Building was built at a speed that is completely unheard of today.
As I stated near the top of the thread, I think this project has enough baggage associated with it to make it the less than ideal place to construct such a building.
I do think that fast and cheap are two attributes that are very desirable when building housing, as long as safety is not sacrificed.
I do think it is sad that New York as a city is no longer a place that expands the limits of how buildings are built.
I don’t care how the building is built, I just care how it looks. Ratner pulled a bait and switch on the public. Sold everyone on a Gehry piece of architecture and is building prefab fedders.
As long as the building looks good, then build it.
I just don’t trust Ratner as far as I can throw him, and if you have ever seen this guy, I couldn’t throw him very far…without the assistance of a catapult.
“Corporations don’t actually “elect” public officials.”
You are so naive if you really believe that. They went to the Supreme Court and won in Citizens United.