In this economy, and especially in New England where historical buildings abound, historical renovation is a major market in the building industry. We know many of you have historic renovation projects on the drawings boards or in the plans this year, so this month we are turning our attention to some of our current historic projects and how Tocci is uniquely equipped to work on these types of projects.

See the whole issue here!

Tocci has recently begun work on a new historical renovation project: Monarch on the Merrimack in Lawrence, MA. This beautiful building rests along the banks of the Merrimack River (hence the name). Originally named “Wood Mill” this building was the largest in the world at the time of its completion in 1908. In fact, it is longer than the Sears Tower is tall! Due to the size of this structure it is broken into four different sections: C, D, E, F. Building C is being conceived as potential commercial space.  Building E will be utilized as a future phase project, currently projected as more residential space. Building F is being developed as a commercial leasing space, and building D is Tocci’s residential project.

The project was partially renovated in 2007 when it was put on hold; today it is currently designed to accommodate  200 apartments. Owing to it’s size and it prominence in the city of Lawrence, the renovation Monarch by the Merrimack represents a key revitalization project for the entire city.

The owner, Massinnovation, is rightfully proud of its environmentally sensitive design. They have incorporated a geo-thermal well system to provide for the heating & cooling of the building to maximize energy efficiency and utilized re-claimed building materials wherever possible. Tocci will complete the construction of this system, as well as roof replacement, façade improvements and interior renovation, to name a few of the components in our scope of work.

The project is 400’ long x 120’ wide, six stories tall and approximately 290,000 square feet in total area. Construction is slated to begin in June of 2010 and be completed by March 2011.

Tocci is pleased to announce a new historical renovation project: Ponemah Mills in Taftville (Norwich) Connecticut. This old cotton mill was built immediately after Civil War, in 1865, on the banks of the Shetucket River – a major tributary off of the Thames River.  It is five stories high and features two gorgeous towers, a corbelled brick façade and a second empire mansard roof.

The owner, Onekey, LLC, has been developing this project for three years. Initially designed as luxury condominiums, and now planned as 235 market-rate apartments, the units will be duplexes with 14’ high ceilings and mezzanines for the 4^th and 5^th story units. Once the mezzanines are completed, the project will total 290,000 square feet.

Tocci is currently working with the owner on cost engineering efforts to assist the owner and architect in creating a more efficient and cost effective building. Our scope of work will include site improvements and extensive interior and exterior renovation.

Construction is anticipated to commence in early June 2010 and be completed by August 2011.

In our fifth architectural lecture we finished up the Renaissance and moved into the Baroque period. We learned that this time period of roughly two hundred years (the early 1500’s to the early 1700’s) covered a number of different movements in art and architecture: Mannerism, Baroque, and Rococo.

Cornaro Chapel by Bernini (Rome c. 1645-52)

We watched as the clean lines, one-point perspective and rational grid-based designs of the classical period gave way to the theatrical, curvaceous, ornate, rippling surfaces of Baroque and Rococo. As always, art mimics life, and we learned that with the advent of the Reformation and the Sack of Rome, Europe was tossed into uncertainty. No more could the rationality and perfection of the early Renaissance rule when life was becoming increasingly complex. At the same time the Papacy, which still governed much of Europe, was showing off the majesty and beauty that the Protestants rejected by building more and more elaborate buildings.

Next week: Industrialization! And as always, if you would like to join us for these lectures, please don’t hesitate to ask.

I leave you with one final thought about Baroque architecture. (The writer apologizes for the frivolity of this link. Tocci Building Companies does not necessary share the opinions expressed therein.)

A bi-monthly informational email about one well researched construction industry topic.

2011 Newsletter Archive: 

02-2011

• Tocci Today - February 2011: BIM+GSA