News: Construction Design & Engineering
Posted: August 18, 2023
Wollaston Real Estate to transform Holyoke property - designed by PortOne Co.
Holyoke, MA Developers at Wollaston Real Estate Investments, Alex Cwiakala and Harrison Bonner, are undertaking a remarkable transformation, turning the city’s first skyscraper, located at 276 High St., into a vibrant hub for art and entertainment. Constructed in 1906 by J.R Smith Co., it is set to bring new life to downtown.
The vision for the revitalization project includes a variety of uses for the different floors of the eight-story building. The first floor will feature a new American tapas restaurant with a nightlife component, offering a dynamic dining and entertainment experience. The second and third floors will be dedicated to flexible office and maker spaces, fostering creativity and entrepreneurship within the community.
From the third to the seventh floor, the building will house four apartments per floor, providing comfortable and modern living spaces. The eighth floor will feature four loft-style apartments, offering a unique urban living experience with stunning views of the city. Leading the architectural design of the project are Peter Bartash and Talia Cannistra of PortOne Co., based in Boston.
The project will showcase an impressive 18 ft. tall mural within the restaurant, designed to enhance the artistic atmosphere while creating a nightlife experience with lighting and sound equipment. This is all done to ensure a Boston-level entertainment ambiance once the dinner service concludes for the evening. The revitalization efforts for the entire building are estimated to take 24-30 months. Given the eight-story height of the skyscraper, planning and execution are required to bring this vision to life. Once completed, the project will not only revive the building’s former glory but also eliminate years of vacancy.
“We are proud to be part of this transformative project that will breathe new life into Holyoke’s historic skyscraper,” said Alex Cwiakala, co-developer at Wollaston Real Estate Investments. “Our vision is to create a vibrant destination that celebrates art, culture, and community.”
The developers welcome inquiries and interview requests further to discuss the revival of Holyoke’s historic skyscraper.
MORE FROM Construction Design & Engineering
Construction Design & Engineering
Weston & Sampson earns award from ACEC for Arlington DPW job
Arlington, MA Weston & Sampson Engineers, Inc., has earned a National Recognition Award for exemplary engineering achievement in the American Council of Engineering Companies’ (ACEC) 58th annual Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA). The award comes for leading the renovation of the Arlington Department of Public Works (DPW) facility.
.png)
Columns and Thought Leadership
State legislature ends session without passing PLA bill - by Joe Camilo
Massachusetts taxpayers dodged a bullet when the state Senate didn’t take up legislation passed by the House in the waning moments of the legislative session that would have made it easier for municipalities and state agencies to use union-only project labor agreements (PLAs) on construction projects.
Ask the Electrician: Is summer a prime time for commercial electrical maintenance?
The answer is “Yes!” While January marks the official new year, many businesses view September as a fresh start. This makes summer an ideal time for commercial property owners to schedule long-term electrical maintenance projects.
Ask the Electrician: How do I prepare my commercial building for a disaster?
New England’s notorious weather – from fierce winter storms to summer squalls and fall hurricanes – can leave businesses in the dark. While power outages are often blamed on storms, they can also be caused by unforeseen events like accidents or construction mishaps. While it’s impossible to prevent disasters and power outages entirely, proactive preparation can significantly minimize their impact on your commercial building.
The design-build advantage: Integrated interior design solutions - by Parker Snyder
When it comes to corporate interior spaces for both commercial and industrial projects, partnering with a design-build firm with in-house interior design services can offer clients many benefits. Unlike traditional delivery methods where interior designers operate independently from the design and construction teams, often creating a longer project timeline as cost negotiations and revisions ensue
