http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-news/june-27-2016/
3 WTC TOPS OUT
Three World Trade Center (3 WTC) topped out on June 23. Located at 175 Greenwich Street, 3 WTC reached its final height of 1,079 ft (80 stories). New York YIMBY reported that other construction and glass installation still need to be completed prior to the building's anticipated 2018 opening. It will join 7 World Trade Center, which opened in 2006; 4 World Trade Center, which opened in 2013; One World Trade Center, which opened in 2014; and the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, the main concourse of which opened in March.
SHANGHAI STREAMLINES RESIDENTIAL APPROVALS
Authorities in Shanghai have streamlined approval procedures to reduce the time needed to get an elevator installed in old residential buildings by half, according to Shanghai Daily. The process has been called "a bureaucratic headache," involving more than 60 procedures and 46 approvals from multiple departments that could take up to a year. Now, only 15 approvals are needed, and forms do not have to be submitted repeatedly. Authorization from the civil defense, health, greenery and environmental protection authorities are no longer required. The source calls the change " greatly welcomed by a growing number of elderly residents in the city who find stairs a challenge."
SEATTLE “BUILDING FRENZY” FEATURES 65 PROJECTS
A Seattle building boom broken down by the Seattle Times reports there are 65 major buildings under construction across downtown, South Lake Union and surrounding neighborhoods, including: The Mark office and hotel, US$400 million; 8th and Howell hotel, US$400 million; Troy Block Amazon office, US$285 million; 2202 8th Ave Apartments, US$284 million; The Park Amazon office, US$250 million; and Madison Centre office, US$157 million. More than one-third of the office space under construction is for online retailer Amazon, on pace to occupy 12 million sq. ft. of office space by the time the current projects are finished; most will not be complete until next year. However, two-thirds of the projects are residential. The source reports "dozens more in the pipeline set to start in the next year and a half."
Photo by Joe Woolhead
