Phlashback to Phoenix: Banner – University Medical Center

Posted on March 23, 2017 by danieldschell

The Phoenix Mountains provide the stellar background for Banner – University Medical Center. It’s Prentice-like predecessor sits just to the right.

Way out in the far west suburbs — Phoenix, Arizona — Banner Health is erecting a brand new addition to its Banner – University Medical Center. Designed by HKS Architects, which counts both Chicago and Phoenix as two of the many cities in which it maintains offices, the new facility will consist of a 13-story patient tower atop a three-story podium, housing the emergency department and more. DPR Construction is the general contractor, tasked with having the project complete and ready to treat patients in 2018.

: Banner University Medical Center, late-night edition.

: The Prentice-like predecessor.

: A Banner banner.

: Looking south.

: Ground work.

: No wind.

: Gratuitous tower crane shot.

Spotted: A mini tower crane in Phoenix. And IT IS ADORABLE

Posted on March 11, 2017 by danieldschell

One mini tower crane and lots of wood combine on Broadstone Roosevelt Row.

How many times do you sit at home, wondering why we have to live in a world where not every construction project will rise high enough to merit the use of a tower crane? Remember that in Chicago, we have a two-story project (Apple Store) and a three-story project (DePaul School of Music) that have tower cranes, so is there really a good reason not to have one? If only there was a market for mini-tower cranes.

And then boom. No pun intended. But here, on the streets of Phoenix, Arizona, I’ve found such a creature. All business up top, all counterweights down low. Like someone went to the gym only on leg day. It’s being utilized to build Broadstone Roosevelt Row, a multi-family residential block from Alliance Development. The design is by ORB (Office of Rich Barber) Architects of Phoenix. If I knew how to find building permits for Phoenix, I’d offer a little more information about the number of units and the like, but you’ll just have to settle for a few renderings and construction photos. And since Broadstone Roosevelt Row is a wooden wonderland right now, that’s not such a bad thing.

Oh, and that adorable little tower crane, too.

**My apologies to the general contractor on this one, as I haven’t been able to identify who it is. If someone lets me know, I’ll add them.

: Mini tower crane, and a little bit of the wood work, from a distance.

: Crane and sky. If you squint, it looks like a grown-up tower crane.

: The impressive weight stack.

: There *is* some concrete involved.

: Broadstone Roosevelt Row rendering from ORB Architects.

: Broadstone Roosevelt Row rendering from ORB Architects.

A Sunny Day At: The Phoenix Hampton Inn and Suites

Posted on March 9, 2017 by danieldschell

The Hampton Inn and Suites by The M.A. Mortenson Company, at Polk and 1st Streets in downtown Phoenix.

I hear sunny days are fairly common around these parts. So far, I concur.

Out in the far west suburb of Phoenix, Arizona, the M.A. Mortenson Company has just started construction on an 11-story Hampton Inn and Suites at the intersection of Polk and 1st Streets in the heart of downtown. Designed by PK Architects, the $33-million hotel will provide 210 guest rooms, and include amenities including a fitness center, meeting rooms, a business center, and a bar/lounge.

Here’s an OxBlue construction webcam

You can read more about the Hampton Inn and Suites at AZ Big Media