On a recent property inspection our engineer observed a clutter of sticks and branches in the valley of a roof on a historic condominium association.  While finding debris and foliage from trees is not unsual on a roof, it is when there are no trees in proximity to the building and certainly none at the elevation of the high reaches of the rooftop.

A few moments later a large shadow overhead revealed the developer and occupant of this non-conventional penthouse unit.

We are pleased to report that in spite of the fact this unit owner never submitted plans to the architectural control committee for review, *and* he remains woefully delinquent on his association dues, the association board has agreed to refrain from collection attempts and will forgive future assessments in exchange for "rodent elimination services" to be provided on an ongoing basis.

Superior Reserve Engineering & Consulting partner Justin Maier - PE, RS authored an article recently featured in the Spring 2014 issue of Chicagoland Buildings and Environments Magazine regarding pipe/riser restoration and replacement.  

You can view the entire Spring 2014 issue at the following link:  http://condolifestyles.net/chicago-buildings-and-environments/past-issues

The cost to replace water riser pipes is one of the greatest expenses a building will encounter as it sustains through its life cycle.  Planning for this expense is of critical interest to building owners and condominium associations alike. 

A direct like to a pdf of the article is below:

http://www.superiorreserve.com/images/pdf/Superior%20Reserve%20article%20publication%20(2).pdf

World record concrete pouring operation...

...kicks off construction on tallest building west of Mississippi River.
On Saturday Feb 15th, construction crews began a 20-hour concrete pour that will set a world record for the longest duration continuous concrete pour ever.  Officials from the Guinness Book of World Records will be on hand to verify the feat.  The record setting concrete pour will serve to form the foundation of LA's first new skyscraper in over 20 years.

The Wilshire Grand Center will be an 1,100 ft tall mixed-use office/retail/hotel complex with an estimated cost of $1 Billion.  It will be the tallest building west of the Mississippi River.  Only Chicago and New York have taller buildings.  Topping out at 73 floors, the Wilshire Grand Center will encompass approximately 1.7 million square feet of space!
In comparison, the Wilshire Grand Center, in earth-quake-prone Los Angeles is only 2/3rds of the height of New York City's new "One World Trade Center" which stands 1776 feet tall when measured to the top of its architectural spire. It has 35 fewer floors than Chicago's Willis (formerly Sears) Tower.  Willis Tower still eclipses One World Trade Center with the highest occupiable floor at 108 floors compared to 1 WTC's 104.  

In a unique departure from Los Angeles's typical high-rise construction practice, The Wilshire Grand will have not have a "flat" roof as is mandated by a 1974 fire ordinance that required all tall buildings to include rooftop helicopter landing pads.  Because The Wilshire Grand will be constructed with life-safety systems that exceed LA city fire codes it has been granted an exception that will allow it to have a sloped architectural roof.  
Adding to the degree of difficulty in completing this 20-hour world-record concrete foundation pour is the fact that concrete must be dispensed into place within 90 minutes of being mixed.  84 million pounds of concrete will be delivered by approximately 2,000 truckloads during the project.  Due to traffic issues in Los Angeles careful planning, including alternate routes around traffic jams, was required to stage such an operation.
The Wilshire Grand Center is expected to be completed in 2017.  Read more about this intriguing new real estate development at www.wilshiregrandcenter.com

The Steel Beam is the focal point of our company logo.  In the mid 1990's, half-way through my college years I had the opportunity to visit my dad for the first time since he relocated to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  As a kid I was always interested in, perhaps a better word would be fascinated by, industry and commerce.  Coincidentally, my dad suggested we take a walk by the Lehigh River. 

Unbeknownst to me, one of the largest and most sigificant industries in American history and real estate construction was located on the south side of the river across from the path we were walking down.

It is impossible to miss.  The massive cluster of blast furnaces sitting silently across the slowly streaming water of the Lehigh is an amazing sight.  Coated in rust, they are a symbol of industry and the source of many of the steel beams that built America.

The blast furnaces (which locals refer to as "the stacks") are visible from variouis mapping programs.  If you cut and paste the following coordinates into Google Maps  40.615392, -75.367206  you can get an up close and personal view of these massive structures which are the remaining iconic symbol of what was once the 2nd largest company in the country, and a company that contributed so much to real estate in the 20th Century: Bethlehem Steel. (Hint, check out the "street view" for an amazing look at "the stacks".)

Having never heard of Bethlehem Steel, which had ceased production the year before, my dad began to share the story of this amazing piece of American industrial history.

We walked west along the path and took a pedestrian staircase up to Stefko Blvd crossed the Lehigh River and stood on the viaduct on the east end of this former bustling manufacturing complex.  What a great thrill it would have been to have stood at that vantage point and watched such a massive industry behemoth oparate at full capacity.  It must have been an amazing operation. 

Just to give context to the size of this 10-mile long facility, truckers used this map in order to locate which of the 103 loading docks was their proper destination.

Whether you are crossing the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, conducting business at Merchandise Mart in Chicago, or standing atop the Rockefeller Center in New York City, you are being supported by steel beams that were produced in this facility.  85% of the New York skyline is Bethlehem Steel.  The US Supreme Court is supported by Bethlehem Steel. If you live or work in a mid or high rise building that was built before 1960, there is a better chance than not, that you are sitting atop Bethlehem Steel.  

There is a very well produced documentary available on Youtube that captures Bethlehem Steel's legacy.  A company that was integral to our nations growth, but who's rise, success, and decline is a bittersweet reminder that economic and cultural change is constant.

You can view this amazing story here: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QTGiHOZZFU