Repositioning

Reviving Relics

Our clients don’t believe in putting good buildings down. Buildings have an average service life of 60 years. Been in any 60-year-old buildings lately? They tend to show their age. And their operational efficiency is far from optimal. Building repositioning is a cost-efficient option to modernize dated assets. Sure, this sounds just like building renovation. Nope. Not with our approach as a true project partner.

Harvey | Harvey-Cleary helps owners, developers, building managers, and commercial brokers revive older facilities to effectively compete against their newer peers. We are involved much sooner on these complex projects, supplying schedules and budgets to help our client navigate the decision-making process and reduce their risk.

Whether it’s a building reskin, infrastructure upgrade, or a complete renovation, our goal is achieving the long-term business objectives at the heart of the project. This comes from a candid and comprehensive discovery process. Together with the design team, we can then plan how to achieve the design vision in the face of the many unknowns ultimately encountered on such projects. A clear understanding of owner priorities also helps us guide the sometimes tough decisions to ensure a strong return on investment.

Expertise

Harvey’s asset repositioning expertise extends beyond the buildings. The majority of our repositioning projects are in buildings almost fully occupied. Our attention to the people impacted during these projects is a distinct benefit we provide. Experience has taught us that phased-occupancy renovations require exhaustive scheduling and phasing plans in order to minimize employee disruption. During construction, Harvey and our subs operate onsite in stealth mode. We know owners rely on happy tenants as an indicator of project success.

Safety

However, there is one thing more important than happiness. Safety is paramount on these projects since the buildings are usually occupied. Coupled with all the unknowns of working in an older building, providing a safe working environment becomes an opportunity to develop innovative safety solutions. For example, the owner of a leaking, 30-year-old Arlington, VA office at 80% occupancy wanted a façade refresh of repointed brinks and glass curtainwall. Harvey built swing space for the tenants at the building exterior, requiring them to be out of their regular workspace for only four days. Harvey developed a unique interior draping system to mask the sound and contain the work. The entire 12-story façade on two buildings was replaced in 18 months. The solution gives new meaning to the phrase ‘safe and sound’!