Skanska
Specialty: Construction management, general contracting and pre-construction services to commercial clients
Brian Thomas is looking up. So is Skanska, the general contractor he works for. Thomas, director of field operations, said that as land in Seattle becomes limited, more and more developers are setting their sights skyward. Lack of space “There’s no more ways you can go horizontally,” he said. “You have to go vertically.” Additionally, as parcels become more scarce in the city, developers are looking to outlying areas, including Bothell, Everett, Tacoma and the Interstate 90 corridor.
Those building in downtown Seattle need to be careful not to disrupt businesses operating around the construction sites, he said. Skanska is working such a site: an expansion of the Sheraton Seattle. The $112 million project includes construction of the 25-story Union Street Tower with 415 guest rooms and upgrades to the hotel’s meeting facilities. The project is estimated to be complete in spring 2007. The developer, Seattle Union Street Associates, is a joint venture of MetLife, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and a regional ownership group called Seventh Avenue Associates. Skanska also is doing renovation work in the Sheraton itself: on the ballroom, restaurant and porte cochere, said Thomas. Do not disturb
This is done in a number of ways, including scheduling as many deliveries as possible in off-hours so as not to block streets. “You’re catering to these people,” he said. “That’s what you’re supposed to do — are paid to do. There can be no disruptions.” Business is booming for Skanska and other general contractors in the area and across the nation, Thomas said. Outside Seattle, Skanska recently was awarded a contract to construct a major life science project for Amgen, said Thomas, and is working on securing more of those type of projects in Seattle.
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