Participant Case Study Extell Development and Lend Lease Construction - Hyatt Hotel Times Square
The management of O’Lunney’s Times Square Pub and Bobby Vann’s Grill already like their new neighbor on W. 45th Street – a Hyatt Hotel being built by Extell Development and Lend Lease. Lend Lease has managed community relations on the project carefully, making sure work does not interfere with the busy commercial activity of these and other businesses already on the block.
The new Hyatt Hotel at 135 W. 45th St.
The CLC banner and urbancanvas decorate the scaffolding
This level of cooperation takes work. For example, on a recent day when construction activity interfered with a major delivery, Maureen O’Lunney had the Lend Lease project manager’s number in her phone. She placed a call, equipment and barriers were quickly moved, and business at O’Lunney’s went on as usual.
Bobby Vann’s Grill across the street relies heavily on business from its outdoor sidewalk seating. Bobby Vann’s Manager, Joe Phair, had an open line of contact with Lend Lease project team managers so that deliveries, lifts, and other construction activity did not interfere with restaurant patrons.
Lend Lease has employed other tactics to reduce impacts on its neighbors. For example, all construction waste is stored inside the building, and then collected and loaded on to waste carting trucks inside the truck delivery bay. Lend Lease further limited impacts by housing its construction management offices inside the building, limiting the amount of time the workforce spends outside.
Work goes on amid a dense urban fabric - residential, theaters, restaurants and hotels.
Scaffolding protects O'Lunney's Pub.
Off-hours activity, particularly during weekends, is limited to quieter work that that will not interfere with weekend theatergoers or tourism in the Times Square district.
Lend Lease also delivers regular construction activity bulletins to the local Community Board so they are apprised in advance of work. The Community Board is appreciative of this level of attention, particularly given the overall volume of work within its borders.
Lend Lease has a non-emergency phone number posted on the construction fence that is answered by a team member working onsite, so that any problems can be dealt with immediately.
To add to the physical attractiveness of the site, Lend Lease and Extell installed a decorative urbancanvas banner the length of the construction shed parapet, and a banner displaying its affiliation with the New York Building Foundation Construction for a Livable City Program.
Overall, says Ralph Esposito, President of Lend Lease (US) Construction, LMB, Inc., “Our project team has been systematic about keeping our neighbors informed, keeping the site clean, and paying attention to the small things that build good will. On a project of this scale, we understand that when we leave the building, its owner will be there for years to come, so starting off on the right foot is essential.”
To get more information on Construction for a Livable City, contact Andrew Hollweck at 212-481-9230. Larger versions of the images can be found here.
