I live in an old building. An old building built on landfill on The Flat of the Hill, where Beacon Hill flattens out. So I know all about floors and doors that are a bit off-level, windows a bit off kilter. There’s a gut reno going on next door, and their gut-renoing jackhammering has caused a bit of a shift in the pop-up electric outlets in my kitchen. Two of the three no longer pop up. I don’t think that the adjustment will be that big a deal, but I’m waiting for the jackhammering to cease and desist before I get someone in here to take a look.
Anyway, I know that even if there are spots that list a bit left or right, buildings still manage to stand. Especially when they’re row houses propping each other up. And especially if their foundations are solid. Which buildings built in 1860 apparently have. Which is not to say that, every once in a while, some old building somewhere collapses. (What, me worry?)
But standalone skyscrapers? They can be a bit shaky. Consider Manhattan’s Seaport Residences, which is:
…leaning north by about three inches because the skyscraper’s foundation is defective, according to a March 22 lawsuit filed by the project’s contractor, Pizzarotti, in New York State Supreme Court. The suit was first reported by the Commercial Observer.
But a representative for Fortis Property Group, the project’s developer, points the finger at Pizzarotti for the leaning lower Manhattan tower, and says the contractor improperly poured a concrete slab and failed to account for the settling of the foundation. Pizzarotti is now in “panic mode” and filed the suit in a last-ditch effort to avoid damages, according to the Fortis spokesperson. (Source: Curbed)
This “they say/they say” should be good.
Fortis acknowledges that the building is “misaligned,” but claims that a) it’s not their fault; and b) that a couple of top-drawer engineering firm have certified that the building is okay. Nothing to see here folks. And I do know that skyscrapers are built to swing and sway a bit, so that they can withstand high winds. But I wouldn’t be too happy right about now if I were one of the 72 folks who had signed a contract on a unit. (There are 98 in the building.)
By the way, long-time “reality” real estate TV fans might be interested to know that real estate agent, Fredrik Eklund, a star of Million Dollar Listing, had signed up for a $4.6 million listing of his own in the building. (Units are going from $1.2 million to $7.5 million for the penthouse on the 58th floor. Long way down from that penthouse…And, of course, the fact that this is right near the site of the Twin Towers/World Trade Center makes thinking about an unstable building especially creepy.)
The claim made by Pizzarotti is that Fortis skimped on some foundation work, using a cheaper method than what had been recommended.
It’s always amazing to see construction that skimps out on safety rather than on finishing touches. Because you can bet that the showerheads weren’t picked up at Home Depot, and the fridges weren’t from the bargain aisle at Lowe’s. But, of course, the finishing touches are what the purchasers see. not the foundation, which someone would presume is okay.
I’m guessing that there’s a fix for whatever ails Seaport Residences. An expensive fix, I’m sure, but not likely one that’s going to require a complete dismantling and start-from-scratch. Serves whoever’s at fault right it they’re stuck with a kabillion dollar bill for this one. Not to mention the lawsuits from the folks who thought they’d be moving in anytime soon. (Many of whom are likely having second and third thoughts at this point.)
Anyway, I’m just as happy to be living in my low rise, oldie but goodie. Sure, we’ve had some issues, but the structural engineers have given us a clean bill of health. We’re in no danger of toppling over – at least until the Atlantic Ocean decides to reclaim Back Bay as its own. With luck, some lucky buyer would have become enamored of my showerheads, my upscale appliances, and those soon-to-be-working pop-up outlets, long before Boston washes away. Meanwhile, back in Manhattan, there are some law firms rubbing their hands in glee. ----------------------------------------------------------
Other info source: The Gothamist.
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