Shoemaker-Skanska Joint Venture hosts GBCA’s CHAD Hard Hat Club

In spring of 2016, Shoemaker Construction Co. and Skanska USA Building began the dramatic remake of 1.4 million square feet of prime retail and commercial space known in Center City Philadelphia as The Gallery. The joint venture of Skanska USA Building and Shoemaker Construction Company will complete renovations of The Gallery shopping mall in Center City Philadelphia to transform it into Fashion Outlets Philadelphia. Owned and operated by Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) and Macerich, Fashion Outlets Philadelphia is the single largest retail repositioning project in the Philadelphia region, scheduled to be completed in 2018.

Spanning three city blocks, The Gallery renovation is a key piece of PREIT and Macerich’s revitalization of East Market Street. The approximately 1,400,000 SF interior and exterior renovation includes selective structural demolition; new structural and architectural construction; modifications and additions to the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems; replacement of all common area floor finishes, ceilings and lighting, neutral columns and storefront bulkheads and related core and shell work.

“In 1977, Shoemaker constructed Gallery I and since that time we have been involved with numerous renovation projects at The Gallery. The Skanska team constructed Gallery II in the mid-1980’s so our partnership is a natural fit to complete the next transformative renovation project of this iconic structure for PREIT and Macerich,” said Maura Hesdon, General Manager for Shoemaker Construction Co.

On Thursday, April 20^th, Shoemaker-Skanska JV welcomed twenty students from the Charter High School for Architecture and Design (CHAD) along with GBCA for a presentation and private tour of the Fashion Outlets Philadelphia renovation. Students were able to see firsthand the incredible work that has already begun, and get an idea for how a space they are all very familiar with will be transformed before their eyes.

“Most of these students have spent time in The Gallery, eating in the Food Court and hanging out after school since CHAD is only a few blocks away. It’s a really neat experience for these students to watch such a familiar space be transformed in an incredible way,” said Angela Hendrix, Director of Education and Professional Development for the General Building Contractors Association.

Shoemaker’s Project Manager Sara Leon, Skanska’s Senior Project Manager Dan Pechin, and Project Executive Ken Schell gave the students a personalized, full tour of the three city blocks. They discussed the general scope of work, challenges experienced with an urban site, and the coordination with many trades and subcontractors.