 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Ethan Allen, Inc.
New York, NY
Stairway to Heaven
This showroom is one of Ethan Allen’s flagship locations. The 20,000 sf space had to be fit-up under demanding time constraints. The owner needed to open the store just before Thanksgiving. Therefore, Caldwell & Walsh had to start construction on this fast-track project while the design work continued. The owner sought out a contractor with a familiarity operating in NYC, one that didn’t require a learning curve. We were accustomed to working in occupied buildings where public safety, noise reduction, maintaining utilities to adjacent areas, and working near streets busy with vehicle and pedestrian traffic are important issues. Also, to aid in the agressive schedule, we were able to self-perform work to supplement crews as necessary.
After thorough review of the bid documents and conversations with the owner, we were able to forsee some of the obstacles, the most significant of which was furnishing and installing the custom-designed architectural staircase. Due to the complexity of the stairs, the lead time was longer than the entire duration of the project. Since all structural work needed to be done before the release of the stairs, we immediately cut into the slab and provided the structural modifications without affecting the structural soundness of the building, which rises 40+ stories above. The railings were built of aluminum and glass, and the steps were concrete-filled with stainless steel slip-resistant treads. Completing the staircase meant working double-shifts to meet the completion date. Savings from other budget line items allowed us to work without increasing the project budget. Another significant challenge was the careful coordination of our work around landlord-tenant negotiations.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |