The Challenge of Vertical Construction

A 17-story condominium tower in Boise, Idaho is being built on a 32-foot-wide footprint. Workers talk about the challenges of constructing such a skinny building.

1 minute read

April 23, 2008, 9:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg

"The 17-story condominium tower with lower levels of retail, offices and parking garages is being built on a 32-foot-wide sliver of ground sandwiched between Front Street and three walls of the City Center Parking Garage."

"'The narrow space makes it harder for all the trades,' carpenter Tejon Tihonovich said. 'We have to be a lot more organized. The scary part was when we were working in the basement; a lot of people almost got hit by cars crossing the street. The nice thing, though, is that everybody works as a team. It's like family.'"

"Tihonovich was working on the roof of the garage, assembling concrete forms for the 10th floor. Materials are lifted into place with an Italian-made Comedil crane, the only one that would fit into the narrow space on Front Street."

Thanks to Jon Cecil, AICP

FULL STORY: Workers talk about the ups and downs of building Boise's 'skinny building'

Tuesday, April 22, 2008 in The Idaho Statesman

Architecture Housing Land Use Technology Idaho Construction Boise Infill Development View More

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