May 21 2010
Balfour Beatty Construction was selected to provide preconstruction services and manage construction of the new headquarters for NPR, the internationally acclaimed producer and distributor of noncommercial news, talk, and entertainment programming.
Located in a business improvement district of Washington, D.C., the headquarters will transform a historic warehouse into a sustainable 330,000-square-foot office building to meet the needs of the multimedia organization.
Designed by Hickok Cole Architects to meet LEED Gold specifications, the building will incorporate recycled and sustainable materials and energy-efficient, green technologies. The project scope includes selective demolition and restoration of the existing warehouse building onsite, which will connect to a new structure with three below-grade levels and seven levels of above-grade office and studio space.
When complete, the building will house a combination of program origination centers and self-operated production studios, a 10,000-square-foot data center and technology core, and a 100,000 square foot, open-concept newsroom to encourage collaboration and creativity among NPR’s employees. In addition, the building will feature a theater/production venue that will accommodate approximately 250 people for live performances and events; meeting and training rooms; an employee lounge; roof terraces and a fitness center.
Construction of the new headquarters is expected to begin in Fall 2010 and complete at the end of 2012, with NPR beginning operations at the building in 2013. Boston Properties is serving as development manager on the project.
“We’re excited about serving NPR, building their new home in the District and partnering again with Boston Properties. Our team supports NPR’s mission and is creating for them a sustainable facility that also brings revitalization to an emerging neighborhood,” said John Tarpey, CEO for Balfour Beatty Construction’s North Region based in Fairfax, Va.
Source: http://www.balfourbeatty.com/