We picked up the permit for the Borthwick 3rd unit recently. As anyone who has legally completed any type of construction project, large or small, will attest, the lead up to and subsequent submittal into the permit process is just that, a process. For this project, the process was especially involved as we negotiated a building code appeal, a reconsideration of said appeal, check sheets, design revisions, and the inherently complicated nature of adding a third unit to a duplex, rather than starting from scratch. We owe a debt of gratitude to the designer, Kai Yonezawa, for helping to guide us at each step of the way.
"North Williams developers open up about plans for FreWill Dock across from New Seasons" →
Fremont-Williams project announcement covered in the Oregonian.
Fremont-Williams Development
The Fremont-Williams project is quickly taking shape. Although real estate development is a marathon and not a sprint, the process is certainly beginning to accelerate. The Radiator building to the North is in design review, 50% schematic drawings are complete for the East Karuna building, the West Karuna building schematic work is in progress, and we are in the process of collecting preliminary construction pricing. All the while, we have been researching and evaluating an EcoDistrict concept that will capture waste heat from New Seasons and serve all of the buildings.
Once completed, there will be a 105,000sf, three building infill development designed around a 14,000-sf courtyard of inviting, versatile public space that both building tenants and neighborhood groups will use for work, play, connection, and communication. The intent is to provide a central social hub for the community.
urrently, we are at a pivotal time in the development process as conceptual design, loosely defined budgets, and general assumptions evolve into realities and measurable components of the pro forma. As a project that aims to reconcile the challenge of creating a building with an iconic design, devoted community space, and aggressive energy reduction measures with the sometimes competing goals of replicability and financial return, this development offers less margin for error when striking the appropriate balance in the pro forma. However, we embrace the challenge and are humbled and thrilled to be a part of this project.
The best place to find more information about the project is on the tumblr page, which is up and running: here.
Lake Grove Construction Begins
​Earlier this month, the permit for the work on three tenant improvements at the Lake Grove shopping center was issued without event. Last week, we began with concrete removal and groundwork plumbing. Monday, the concrete trenches were in-filled and yesterday the steel framing was completed. Even over the course of a single week, it is amazing the way that a space can transform. There will be minimal visual change over the next week and a half as the rough plumbing, mechanical, and electrical work is completed, but, following that work, sheetrock will go up and the spaces will begin to take shape. Look for another update then.
New Office
Who we choose to work with, and who we choose to work around, has a direct influence on the quality of our product and our lives. Owen Gabbert LLC is lucky to have a desk at the office of Kaiser Group Inc. Not only are the members of Kaiser Group and Path Architecture friendly and welcoming, they are also excellent partners in the upcoming Fremont-Williams project, as well as an incredible resource, with decades of experience in design, construction, and development. We look forward to ongoing and future collaboration.