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The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority recently held a top out ceremony, celebrating the completion of the steel frame, at the new Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) in South Boston. Over 26,000 tons of steel has been placed - enough steel to fill five 14-story buildings. Clark/Hunt/Berry, a joint venture between Clark Construction Group, LLC of Bethesda, Md., Huber Hunt & Nichols of Indianapolis and William A. Berry Construction of Danvers, Mass., is serving as construction manager on the $460 million project.
Since the project began in 1999, over 1,400 trades people representing 20 unions have safely worked more than 1 million hours at the site.
“Seven years ago, we had a vision for the Boston waterfront - and we now have a state-of-the-art convention center, built by Boston’s union labor workers, which will serve as an economic engine for our city,” said Boston Mayor Tom Menino.
Designed by HNTB/Rafael Vinoly Architects, the BCEC will be the largest building in New England, containing a total of 1.7 million square feet of air conditioned space. It features 516,000 square feet of continuous exhibition space on one level, 160,000 square feet of meeting space, including 86 meeting rooms and a 41,000 square foot ballroom with picturesque views of the city skyline and Boston Harbor.
The facility is conveniently located only eight minutes by car from Boston’s Logan International Airport and steps from rapid transit lines as subway systems are extended to reach the BCEC.
The project is scheduled for completion in June 2004 and over 130 groups are holding dates for events. When it opens, the BCEC will be the flagship property of a newly restored South Boston Waterfront. In keeping with Boston’s reputation as “America’s Walking City,” visitors will be close to Faneuil Hall and other downtown attractions when the Central Artery, Boston’s elevated highway, is demolished. Clark’s Boston office is managing the project.
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