Renovation
Osborn Engineering was selected by DHL to provided multi-discipline engineering and architectural services to perform renovations for the conversion of a 50 year old seven story building in the heart of midtown Manhattan to a Pick-Up and Delivery facility. Having received an eminent eviction notice from their existing facility, the flawless execution of a fast-track schedule was critical to DHL to allow them to continue serving the enormous Manhattan market. DHL knew from previous experience they could count on Osborn to make this happen.
A complete lack of record documentation on the existing building required Osborn to send a field survey crew with representatives from each design discipline to document the entire facility. Due to the aggressive schedule information was being transmitted back from the field to our offices daily allowing our architects and engineers to prepare the schematic design. The schematic design was critical to allowing us to perform the required code reviews and to start the detailed backgrounds for the initial construction phase/interior demolition. In this fast track project, the design team and DHL recognized that securing a general contractor / construction manager (GC/CM) as soon as possible was required. Osborn arranged interviews with six local GC/CM’s. The design team continued to complete the constructions documents in conjunction with Osborn’s and DHL’s management team interviewing process and pricing requests from potential GC/CM’s.
The varying site conditions continuously discovered throughout the design and construction challenged our design team. The new building configuration required egress easements onto adjoining properties, the existing switchgear room did not meet code, ConEd’s existing power feed was not adequate for DHL’s needs, underground environmental contamination issues were found to be more extensive than what was stated in the due diligence documents, tenants on the 6th floor and penthouse level had to remain up and running through all phases of construction and waivers of current local codes were required to obtain new curb cuts for deliveries at dock locations. To top it all off the building rested on a site directly above the famed Lincoln Tunnel. Osborn, working in cooperation with DHL, brought the project to a timely and successful conclusion meeting all of the goals set by the owner and allowing their continuation of business in the Manhattan market.
