AECOM Tishman had the honor of playing a major role in the renovation and expansion of the world-renown Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Comprising 760,000 square feet, stretching from 34th to 39th streets and from 11th to 12th avenues, this convention center covers a total of 20 acres.

AECOM Tishman’s Operation’s Many Roles:

Our role in the Javits project began as owner’s representative for the refurbishment of the original structure, helping the owner develop the master plan for the project, assisting with the selection of the architectural team, prepared project budgets based on numerous schemes, and preconstruction analysis for a new curtainwall system, new roof, and upgrading building systems and utilities.

Challenges:

  • Making sure the Javits Center continued to run simultaneously with construction while making sure the public was safe and accommodated
  • Creating a computerized structural model of the entire spaceframe to make sure that it did not move during construction
  • Developing criteria for a cart to support the various roof top heating and cooling units (RTU) to be transported and supported since it could not be lifted over the public, which involved The Haul Road & Gantry System, a design-build contract. These carts traveled on rails (Haul Road) and would only be lifted when they were located on the temporary scaffold system outside of the building by the use of a crane or by the Gantry system in a section of the facility which was closed off from the public.

Crystal Palace:

This facility is inspired by the Crystal Palace in the London Exposition of 1851, so the removal and replacement of every pane of glass with new, low-e glass was vital. To keep it operational, AECOM Tishman worked with the structural engineer to devise a platform that allowed for work above and activity below.

New Innovative Upgrades:

A new, LEED-Silver, 110,000-square-foot expansion was constructed adjacent to the existing Javits Center along with a new roof—which boasts the largest green roof in NYC at approximately 6.5 acres. The life safety and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems were upgraded as well.

Utilizing BIM:

We utilized Building Information Modeling (BIM) to facilitate logistics and scheduling so the majority of the building remained accessible to, and completely safe for, the public at all times.