News

Enterprise Research Campus Update #54 (Week of August 26, 2024)

Construction Updates

As the Enterprise Research Campus (ERC) project continues, we will provide project notifications that outline upcoming and impactful activities, including a map of the area for reference.

Residential/Hotel

  • The tower crane and hoists will be operational on Saturday, August 24, as crews break down the structural concrete operation at the mid-rise and high-rise buildings. Another crane will be operating to extend the high-rise hoist to the upper levels. Exterior wall/window activities will be underway at the hotel/residential buildings.
  • A small crew plans to work from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, August 26, 27 and 28  to install plates, gates and doors at the upper hoist floors on the high-rise building.
  • Concrete decking is finishing up.
  • Other smaller concrete operations continue.
  • Hotel steel installation has topped off at level 17 and continues with work on the periscope, the cantilevered section of the building.
  • The high-rise building has topped off at level 18.
  • The mid-rise residential building has topped off at their mechanical penthouse at level 9.
  • The hoists (exterior construction elevators) and loading docks have been installed and are operational at the midrise and high rise. The hotel hoist and loading dock installation are finishing along Trotting Avenue.
  • Exterior sheathing, framing and waterproofing are being installed on the residential buildings.
  • Exterior curtain-wall panels are being installed at the hotel.
  • MEP work is ongoing.

Laboratory and Office Buildings

  • A minor concrete placement is planned for Saturday, August 24.
  • Concrete operations continue with deck placements.
  • The hoist and loading dock are finishing on the southern side of the building.
  • The east building structural steel is up to level 11, and the west building has topped off finishing structural steel. Penthouse steel and detailing is taking place on both buildings.
  • Utility installation is underway on the perimeter of the site.
  • Roofing activities are underway.
  • MEP work is ongoing.

Greenway

  • Pre-clearing excavation is underway with intermodals delivering material for rail transport to the Beacon Yard through the haul road, all inside the site.
  • Backfilling, involving trucks of clean soil entering the site, is underway.

Treehouse Conference Center

  • The crane will be loading plumbing pipes and other MEP materials into the building on Saturday, August 24.
  • Mass timber installation and protection work continues.
  • MEP work is underway.

Waterline Installation on Western Ave.

  • The ERC team is working with the City, Boston Water and Sewer, and Harvard to replace a 12-inch waterline with a larger 16-inch waterline from Hague to Milestone streets on Western Avenue.
  • The work is expected to take place Monday through Thursday nights from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. and begin in early September.
  • The first activity, which may begin directly after Labor Day weekend, would be to install a temporary bypass waterline in that area.
  • During this work pedestrians would shift to the Harvard Business School side of the road and cyclists would share the road. Look for more information in next week’s update.

Building Mock-Ups

  • Punchlist work and other adjustments are intermittent on all five mockups.

Eversource Conduit Project

  • Eversource duct bank installation by G. Greene Construction is underway along Western Avenue after hours, typically from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. This public utility work is not under the supervision of ERC.

Milestone Thermals

  • Excavation will proceed to the southern section of Milestone near the DEF (District Energy Facilities) for prepping installation of the duct bank.

General

  • The site’s four tower cranes have been erected and are operational. They are designed to move or “weathervane” in the wind.
  • The projects’ work hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Saturdays as permitted by the City of Boston from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Intermittent use of power trowels for concrete finishing and layout for concrete placement may take place after 6 p.m.
  • Drones will be in use bi-weekly to monitor construction progress on site.
    • Drones will be operated by licensed pilots in accordance with Harvard University and the City of Boston regulations.
    • Flights are weather dependent and are scheduled one weekday morning alternating weekly.
    • No drone flight is scheduled this week.