Fast-track project will renovate science building previously damaged by fire and water.
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. has broken ground on a $25 million renovation of Macelwane Hall, a four-story science building on the campus of Saint Louis University.
The 82,770-sq.-ft. project includes the complete renovation of all four floors of the facility after a May 2017 fire and subsequent water damage resulted in the temporary closure of the original building.
As construction manager, McCarthy will lead a team overseeing the comprehensive renovation of the structure into a state-of-the-art teaching and research environment that includes laboratories, classrooms and office space. The project will follow a fast-track, 13-month schedule to be completed in time for the spring 2019 semester that begins in January 2019.
Previously, McCarthy oversaw the fast-track conversion of a former charter elementary school into an interim science building to accommodate students, faculty and staff while Macelwane Hall remained closed. McCarthy completed that project in seven weeks to ensure the building would be available for the start of fall 2017 classes.
“We’re proud to continue our long-term partnership with Saint Louis University as we restore and enhance Macelwane Hall for the next generation of students and future scientists,” says Ryan Freeman, vice president at McCarthy Building Companies.
Designed for sustainability, the renovated building will exceed the city of St. Louis’ minimum energy code requirements through an energy upgrade that includes the replacement of windows and other green design and construction strategies.
The construction team will also employ advanced 3D technology, including building information modeling (BIM) and virtual design and construction (VDC).
“McCarthy is a reliable construction partner we can always count on to deliver maximum quality and efficiency,” said Dustin Montgomery, Assistant Director of Construction Services at Saint Louis University.
McCarthy’s previous experience working on the SLU campus includes the construction of the Center for Global Citiizenship, Morrissey Hall, Shannon Hall, Spring Hall residential tower, and exterior improvements to St. Francis Xavier College Church and DuBourg Hall.
Hastings + Chivetta is serving as architect on the Macelwane Hall renovation. Other project team members include 8760 Engineering (MEP engineer), CR2 Engineering (systems engineer), Alper Audi (structural engineer), Rock Hill Mechanical Corporation (mechanical design-build contractor), Guarantee Electric (electrical design-build contractor) and Gateway Fire Protection Systems (fire protection design-build contractor).
The project is anticipated to be completed in December 2018.
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is the oldest privately held national construction company in the country – with more than 150 years spent collaborating with partners to solve complex building challenges on behalf of its clients.
