Visitors to the 52-story Boston landmark are surrounded by Italian marble and South American millwork and were virtually unaware that construction was underway.
Boston, MA – June 18, 2008 – Shawmut Design and Construction (www.shawmut.com), a leading national construction management firm, along with Childs Bertman Tseckares Inc., have completed the phased renovation of the Prudential Tower Lobby for Boston Properties, Inc. Finishes include imported design elements, giving the space a more modern and appealing appearance. The 10-month project was completed without disturbing visitor access during the renovation.
In April 2007, Shawmut began the 20,000 square foot phased renovation of the Prudential Tower lobby, one of the busiest office towers in Boston. In addition to the thousands of office workers who pass through everyday, the lobby also serves as the only entrance for those visiting the Top of the Hub Restaurant and Skywalk Observatory. The project team’s decision to do the renovation in phases stemmed from the need to keep access to the tower open for the numerous tenants and visitors, while also maintaining a high level of safety.
Completed ahead of schedule and under budget in March, the lobby features unique design elements from around the globe. The front of the lobby, facing the Shops at Prudential Center corridor, is a Pilkington glass system from England which took 22 weeks to procure. Marble was hand-picked from a quarry in Carrara, Italy. The marble, statuario (used on the walls), grigio carnico (used on the floor), and granite (used for the base and trim), underwent a “book-matching” process requiring each piece to be numbered and placed in a specific order on the walls or floor on-site. Sapeli Pommele wood from South America was cut, veneered, and book-matched as well. Each panel was laid out in a warehouse, where the architects personally chose the order in which the panels were placed on the lobby walls based upon the grain of the wood. The sensitivity required when handling these materials and long lead times required delicate installation standards on the part of the project team, as one mistake would have set the project back months. Throughout the lobby are custom designed columns with back painted glass and stainless steel.
All 25 elevators underwent a complete renovation. They are outfitted with stainless steel, marble, and wood paneling from floor to ceiling, as well as new control panels. A new security desk integrates the security system and all electrical systems into a command center that meshes with the space’s surrounding finishes.
About Shawmut Design and Construction
Shawmut Design and Construction is a 100% employee-owned construction management firm headquartered in Boston with offices in New York, Providence, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and New Haven, providing client-oriented services in the following markets: Academic, Commercial, Corporate Interiors, Cultural and Historic Preservation, Healthcare and Science, Gaming, Restaurants, Retail, Spas and Health Clubs. For more information, visit Shawmut’s website at www.shawmut.com.
