Case Studies & Research
Case Study
Comcast Technology Center
2,700 Decorative Glass Panels. 0 Room for Error.
Location: 1800 Arch Street, Philadelphia
Completed: Summer 2018
Developer: Liberty Property Trust
Owner: A joint venture between Comcast Corporation and Liberty Property Trust
Key Tenants: Comcast, Four Seasons Hotel, NBC 10, Telemundo 62
Design Architect: Foster+Partners
Architect of Record: Kendall/Heaton Associates
General Contractor: LF Driscoll – Structure Tone
Architectural Metal and Glass Contractor: Eureka Metal and Glass
Scope of Work: Furnish and install 2,700 decorative glass panels in the podium area
Cutting-edge innovation defines the $1.5 billion, mixed-use Comcast Technology Center. Rising 60 stories and 1,121 feet, it’s Philadelphia’s tallest building. LEED Platinum, it even has a “central brain” that does everything from tracking the number of people inside to predicting the weather. Every aspect of this glass and metal masterpiece is awe-inspiring, including the immense block-long podium.
Eureka Metal and Glass, NACC certified since June 2014, was selected to furnish and install 2,700 nine-by three foot decorative glass panels in the expansive, 75-foot high podium area.
The IUPAT Industry Partner Advantage
“The advanced skills and training of our IUPAT workforce was key to our success. As a result of our crew’s intellect, we were able to anticipate downstream problems with time to gather the right folks to develop a plan for a successful outcome. And our NACC certification also made it easy to pass the arduous subcontractor qualification process.”
Terry Webb, President of Eureka Metal and Glass
The Challenge
2,700 decorative glass panels, some up to 75 feet above the walking space, had to be installed exactly ¼ inch apart, with no framing or visible support system, from a floor that did not support normal mechanical equipment.
The Solution
Eureka created a unique installation process that allowed the glass to be received, hoisted, distributed and installed from work surfaces that sometimes reached more than 70’ above the installation location. Alternations Eureka suggested to the glass manufacturer’s cleat system design allowed minute adjustments for “out of plane” installation with a ¾” catch on wall cleats with ¼” gap between panels. These alterations also make it possible to easily replace individual glass panels.