West Hall

This project provided approximately 287 beds for undergraduate students and 3 units for professional staff in a design that is in keeping with the architecture, scale and materials of the existing campus environment. Approved by the DC Zoning Commission in 2007, construction commenced in spring 2008 and was completed in August 2010.

Construction Updates

2010

June 24, 2010
Final project work continues: majority of punch list items are completed; installation of exterior landscaping, furniture and fitness equipment occurred earlier this month; final work on new audio visual equipment in student support spaces should finish next week. Work on the ADA garage entrance will begin in July and should complete in mid to late August. With project substantially complete, next update will be added in mid to late July or as needed.

May 26, 2010
The project is substantially complete and all inspections have been completed. Punch list items are anticipated for completion in mid June. Furniture installations will finish this week with installations of fitness center equipment. Installation of audio visual equipment in student support spaces is in progress and scheduled for completion in late June. Exterior landscaping at the north end of the parking area will be completed this week.

May 12, 2010
All inspections have been completed and final registrations with DC Government are underway. Furniture is being installed in the residential units and lower level furniture will be delivered over the next two weeks. Additional landscaping at the north end of the parking lot and building will be completed later this month along with remaining interior punch list items.

April 29, 2010
Initial inspections are finished with final building inspection scheduled mid May. Close-out punch list items are being completed on Levels B1 and B2. Installation of audio visual equipment in black box theater space begins next week and will continue into June. Furniture delivery begins next week.

April 15, 2010
Floor 4 has received final inspection (Floors 1-3 previously completed). Fire Marshall’s initial inspection/approval was completed and final inspection to occur in coming weeks. Mechanical and electrical systems are functional and testing is complete. Level B1 and B2 finishes are being completed. Exterior landscaping and hardscape work is substantially complete. Project substantial completion is anticipated for mid-May.

March 31, 2010
Residential Floors 1-3 have received final inspections. Finishes and wood flooring on two lower levels will be completed in coming weeks. Exterior courtyard landscaping is completed and will continue to project’s north and west sides in next several weeks. The parking areas and roadway are being restored and major exterior work will be completed by mid-April. Floor 4 mechanical equipment commissioning begins next week and continues into early May.

March 17, 2010
Final punch list items are being completed on Floors 1-3 and initial punch list will begin on Floor 4 next week. Level B1 punch list was started this week with only specialty wood and terrazzo flooring remaining to be completed. Changes to Level B2 trash lift area and recording studio are underway. The Keystone wall and courtyard pavers are completed and remaining concrete sidewalks will be poured this week. Repaving of the existing parking area and landscaping will begin next week. All major equipment systems have been initiated and commissioning will occur in April.

February 24, 2010
The upper residential floors are substantially complete with finishes and punch lists continuing to progress over next several months. PEPCO has completed permanent service and Verizon will complete their work later this spring. Exterior brick installations, loading dock, courtyard pavers, fire hydrants and planter work are substantially complete. The final storm sewer work will be completed this month and stone base work for the road and parking areas will begin. Inclement weather has moved keystone wall installations into mid-March. Reviews of Floors 1 & 2 are underway, Floors B1 & B2 review will occur in March and Floors 3 & 4 are being completed with carpet installation anticipated in March. Remaining equipment startups will occur in March.

February 3, 2010
Upper residential floors are substantially complete with finishes and punch lists in progress to continue over next several months. The B2 level sub-surface drainage and sump pit installation will be completed next week followed by additional work on finishes. Natural gas service is connected and boilers are operational – most remaining equipment startups will occur this month. The keystone walls will be completed in several weeks followed by installation of remaining walkways.

January 19, 2010
Punch lists are in progress for Floors 1 and 2 as is installation of carpet in residential suites. On Level B1, work is substantially complete on finishes and kitchen/dining areas -- installation of the fitness center’s wood flooring scheduled next week. On Level B2, drainage systems are installed and work now focuses on painting, ceramic tiles and ceiling grids. Exterior work continues on keystone walls and courtyard pavers. Mechanical equipment start-ups are underway on Level B2 with rooftop equipment startups anticipated in February.

January 5, 2010
Brick pavers and hardscapes are substantially completed in the courtyard and work is progressing toward tennis courts and athletic field. Installation of the keystone wall has been delayed due to inclement weather. On Level B-1, installation will soon be finished on kitchen equipment and fitness center storefronts followed by flooring and carpet installation. Completion of Interior finishes continues on the above-grade residential floors including ceramic tiles and cabinets. With completion of PEPCO service, mechanical equipment start-ups will begin later this month.

2009

December 9, 2009
The next progress update will be posted here the week of January 4, 2010.

December 2, 2009
Waterproofing and brick installation in the courtyard is complete and work is progressing on hardscapes, including brick pavers and retaining walls. Installation of keystone on northern edge of project site will begin next week and is anticipated to last a month. Drywall installation is substantially complete and work has begun on interior finishes. Commissioning of major mechanical equipment will begin later this month.

November 11, 2009
Roof and exterior brick work is now substantially complete. Work is beginning on waterproofing and brick installation in the courtyard. Grading continues in preparation for installation of keystone on northern edge of project site.

October 20, 2009
Exterior brick work is now complete up to the north elevation. Work is substantially complete on exterior wall waterproofing, window installations, loading dock concrete driveway, flat roofs, slope roofs and drywall installations on Floors 1, B1 and B2.

October 6, 2009
Courtyard brick work is now complete and scaffolding will be removed as remaining brick installations continue to the north elevations. Roof work has been rescheduled for completion next week. The loading dock driveway concrete is complete and the site utilities are being installed this month. Framing continues on Floors 2 and 3.

September 23, 2009
The south elevation brick work is complete and the scaffolding removed. Brick work continues in the courtyard and east elevations. The roof work will finish within a week, after which roof equipment will be installed. Rough grading of the site is being completed to allow the fire hydrants to be installed next week. Framing continues on Floors 1 & 2, as well as mechanical, electrical and plumbing work. Drywall installation begins this week on Levels B1 & B2. New electrical switchgear has been delivered and permanent power is expected later this fall.

September 9, 2009
A crane is scheduled for installation September 23 on the project site to facilitate installation of the building’s cooling towers and chillers on September 23/24. With framing complete on Levels B1 and B2, drywall installation will begin soon. Framing and mechanical, electrical, plumbing rough-ins continue on Floor 1. Brick installations will be finished next week and the scaffolding will be removed while brick work continues on the east elevations and courtyard. The sloped roof shingle installation is progressing on the south elevations and flat roof shingle installation will finish next week. Fire hydrants will be installed in late September per the request of the DC Fire Marshall.

August 26, 2009
The exterior wall framing and sheathing is completed with the waterproofing installation progressing along the northeast elevations. The brick installations continue on the south elevations with the B1 and 1st floor levels completed. The roof installation also continues on the south elevations with the remaining roof trusses being set in the center elevations this week. The exterior wall waterproofing, window and roof installations are scheduled to be completed by mid to late September pending permissible weather. Interior installations continue on schedule with mechanical/electrical/plumbing work and wall framing progressing on lower levels and onto the 1st floor. All major basement equipment has been installed, except chillers.

August 5, 2009
The tower crane was removed last week. Exterior wall construction is more than 50% complete and roofing is more than 40% complete with shingles installed on the north side and decking/trusses being completed in the center. Brick installation has begun on the south side of the building and will follow the waterproofing around the east and north sides of the building. Window installation will begin next week. Interior drywall partitions have begun on Levels B2 and B1. During the next several months, interior work may occur on Saturdays between 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

July 22, 2009
Roof trusses and decking are complete on the south side and in progress in the courtyard area. Roof installation and base materials are in progress on the north side. Exterior wall construction is complete on the south side and is progressing on the west side into the courtyard. Brick installation begins next week. Mechanical and electrical installations continue on Floor 1, Level B1 and Level 2. Interior masonry walls are complete on Level B1 and progressing on Floors 1 and 2.

July 8, 2009
Roof trusses and decking are complete on the north side and in progress on the south side. Roof installation will begin in coming weeks. Masonry scaffolding has been installed on the south side. Exterior brick installation will begin later this month. Work continues on Levels B1 and B2 with mechanical and electrical installations. Interior masonry walls are complete on Level B2 and progressing on Level B1 and Floor 1.

June 24, 2009
The concrete structure was completed on June 11 with miscellaneous concrete work remaining. Roof trusses are being installed on Floor 4 and will continue through the end of the month. After installation of scaffolding for exterior façade work, exterior wall framing and sheathing will begin and be followed by the brick and pre-cast panel installations. Piping, ductwork and electrical installations are progressing on the Level B2, as well as installation of CMU walls. As construction enters a new phase, it is expected there will be an increase in delivery of materials to the site.

June 10, 2009
Concrete work on fourth level is finished and completion of structural work on roof level is anticipated later this week. The mechanical installations and electrical rough-ins have begun in the building’s lower levels. Both exterior wall framing and roof truss installation will begin next week and continue for several months. As construction enters a new phase, it is expected there will be an increase in materials deliveries to the site.

May 27, 2009
Concrete work on second and third level is complete. Work on fourth level will continue through next week and completion of structural work on roof level is anticipated in mid June. Installation of storm drains along the athletic field is in progress. The same level of construction-related traffic activity is anticipated in the near future.

May 13, 2009
Concrete work on first level is complete and work on second level will continue through next week. The same level of construction-related traffic activity is anticipated in the near future.

April 30, 2009
Landscaping and brick work near the new access road is underway. Concrete work is in process and is expected to continue until June. Brick work and exterior framing will follow completion of concrete work which is anticipated for early summer.

April 16, 2009
The floor slabs on grade (ground level) and Level B2 foundation walls are expected to be completed this week. On Level B1, two of the three elevated slab deck pours have been completed with a final pour scheduled this week. Also on B1, half of the level foundation walls and columns have been completed and remaining walls and columns are scheduled for completion next week. The first of three Floor 1 elevated deck pours will occur next week.

March 31, 2009
Final foundation walls on Floor B-2 are being poured this week and the floor slab will be completed next week. The first slab pour on Floor B-1 is scheduled for this week with additional two slab pours anticipated in early April. Work on the ground level floor is scheduled to begin in mid April. Reminder: Neighbors, Faculty, Staff, Alumni and Parents are invited to the 4:00 p.m. April 3, 2009 “Building Rising” ceremony and reception to celebrate the ongoing progress being made to the Pelham Redevelopment Project. RSVP: (202) 994-7129 or [email protected]. 

March 19, 2009
Additional construction traffic in and around the project site is anticipated as construction efforts and concrete operations continue to increase. This should not impact on-street parking in the surrounding residential areas since contractors are required to shuttle workers to the site. Please email [email protected] to report any deviations from this policy. The University is planning to host a commemorative event the afternoon of April 3, 2009 to highlight progress at the project site.

March 2, 2009
Tower crane installation occurred in late-February and the crane will be in place for the foreseeable future. Excavation work on the project is complete and construction efforts are underway. Concrete operations have commenced and are expected to continue into late spring/early summer. Increased construction traffic (including cement trucks) may occur during this phase of the project.

February 18, 2009
The tower crane installation, anticipated February 23, should take one day with minimal impact on area traffic. Trucks associated with this work will use the project’s access road and traffic attendants will be present at both entrances to the Mount Vernon Campus. Concrete operations are also expected to begin the week of February 23.

January 30, 2009
The tower crane will be installed in early February, following completion of foundation work. All tie backs are in position and final lagging boards are being installed. General footing and foundation excavations will begin next week. Subcontractors have begun to locate office and storage trailers adjacent to the new building location. A power generator (located within a sound enclosure) will also be located near these trailers.

January 12, 2009
Site preparation is near completion with 12 tie backs to be installed this week (weather permitting). Excavation and sheeting & shoring activities are expected to be complete by January 23. Installation of the tower crane is scheduled for the week of February 9 pending receipt of permit. Work is scheduled to occur on Monday, January 19 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday) but work on Tuesday, January 20 may be postponed due to Presidential Inaugural activities.

2008

Dec. 19, 2008
Due to end-of-year holidays, site work is not anticipated to occur December 25-28, 2008 and Jan 1, 2009. Excavation, tie back and lagging installation continue during working hours. Contractors are now mobilizing equipment for the start of building construction. Underground utility work adjacent to existing garage structure has begun. The next update to this page will occur the week of January 12, 2009.

December 5, 2008
The steel pile installation was completed this week. Excavation, tie backs and lagging installation will continue into early January 2009. Next week, on-site contractor trailers will be set up next week and temporary utility installation will begin.

November 17, 2008
More than two-thirds of the shoring piles have been installed, with the majority remaining to be installed along the West and North building lines. Pile and tie back installations are expected to be completed in December. Excavation continues as does underpinning of the existing garage footings. Truck traffic will remain moderate until excavation completes in several months.

November 03, 2008 
Excavation structural work commenced in mid-October and will continue for 3-4 months. Associated work includes drilling soldier piles to support shoring walls around the excavation site, installation of underpinnings to reinforce adjacent structures and placement of tiebacks around the site. Work may occur on Saturday November 8 and 15.

October 17 biweekly update was postponed to 11-03-08.

October 3, 2008 biweekly update 
Excavation and shoring pile installation are anticipated to begin within the next few weeks. Hauling of demolition and excavation debris from the site continues to ramp-up to full operation. The underpinning of the west garage wall continues as does scheduled tree and underbrush removal at the building site. Excavation and underpinning efforts may occur on Saturday/10-04-08 or Saturday/10-11-08. Associated work is ongoing, such as the installation of supporting structure for netting at the west side of the soccer fields.

September 22 biweekly update
During the next several weeks, efforts to haul demolition debris from the site will ramp-up to full operation. The underpinning of the west garage wall will continue and excavation and underpinning efforts may occur on Saturday/09-27-08. Additional tree clearing will occur when permits are in place. Associated work such as the installation of supporting structure for netting at the west side of the soccer fields will be ongoing.

September 8 biweekly update was postponed to 09-22-08.

August 25, 2008 biweekly update
Work continues to prepare access road curbs, gutter and pavement. Masonry work and handrail installation is in progress at the garage, and electrical and data conduit installation is underway. The project field office will be sited in the coming weeks. No work is scheduled for the Labor Day Holiday on Monday September 1, 2008.

August 11, 2008 bi-weekly update
Work continues on the access stairs at the garage; additional cutting/hauling and installation of curbs, gutters and pavement for the access road; and installation of conduit for the new residence hall. New concrete paving will be installed on the access road during the coming weeks and construction traffic will access the project through the campus during this time (approximately 4 to 5 weeks in total).

July 28, 2008 bi-weekly update
Demolition of the existing Pelham Hall began July 17 and is anticipated to continue throughout the summer. Work on south side of garage includes back fill and curb/gutter work and steelwork on the new exterior entry stairwell. Utility work focuses on interior/exterior pipes, electrical wiring, installation of new Pepco conduit and construction of the new mechanical and transformer pads on the south side of the garage.

July 11, 2008 bi-weekly update
Work continues adjacent to the garage and pool. This includes work on underground electrical conduit to serve the Athletic facility, new garage egress stairs, and mechanical area retaining walls and pad. Masonry contractor continues work on garage walls. The Demolition contractor mobilizes in preparation for demolition activities anticipated to begin soon, pending receipt of Raze Permit. Work is anticipated to occur on Saturday, July 19, 2008.

June 27, 2008 bi-weekly update
Work continues adjacent to the garage and pool. This includes work on underground electrical conduit to serve the Athletic facility, new garage egress stairs, and landscaping of green area adjacent to pool deck. Masonry contractor is beginning set-up for finish masonry on garage walls (beginning on south side). The Demolition contractor will begin to mobilize the last week of June for demolition activities scheduled to begin July 7, pending receipt of Raze Permit. In observance of the Independence Day holiday, work is not scheduled for July 4 or 5. The next bi-weekly update will be posted the week of July 7, 2008.

June 16, 2008 bi-weekly update
Underpinning and site backfill continues as does cutting, grading and hauling to prepare the new access road for use during demolition. Work progresses on the retaining walls in the pool and mechanical areas. Work continues on utility structures on both the site and street. Conduit work in the garage continues. Abatement of the existing Pelham building is underway. Project workers will be onsite Saturday June 21, 2008.

June 2, 2008 bi-weekly update
Underpinning and site backfill continues on the access road. Work progresses on the pool retaining wall and street utility structures. Conduit work in the garage is ongoing through the next few weeks. Mobilization is underway for abatement of the existing Pelham building and is scheduled to commence on June 4.

May 19, 2008 bi-weekly update
Access road: Site excavation and hauling is underway; concrete work such as underpinning, drilling and lagging of retaining wall and utility vaults continues. Work continues on the pool retaining wall and street utility structures. Mobilization has begun for abatement of the existing Pelham building.

May 5, 2008 bi-weekly update
Excavation, hauling, and concrete work such as underpinning, drilling and lagging of retaining wall and utility vaults will be underway through 5/7/08. Pepco and Verizon are tentatively scheduled to remove guide wires and pole from 4/30/08 to 5/2/08. Utility work on Whitehaven Street has been scheduled to commence 5/3/08.

April 28, 2008 bi-weekly update
Excavation, hauling, and concrete work such as underpinning, drilling and lagging of retaining wall and utility vaults will be underway through 5/7/08. Pepco and Verizon are tentatively scheduled for 4/30/08 through 5/2/08 to remove guide wires and pole. Utility work in Whitehaven Street has been scheduled to commence 5/3/08.

April 18, 2008 bi-weekly update
Foundation work for the access road continues this week as tie-backs and underpinnings are installed. Initial cuts and sloping will be initiated for the retaining wall at the north curved roadway by St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School. 

April 04, 2008 bi-weekly update
During the next two weeks, foundation work will continue as piles are set, and tie-backs and temporary lagging are installed. Underpinning of the garage foundation wall will commence this week. The Contractor and GW continue to work with neighboring St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School to minimize disruption to school activities.

Construction Photo Archive

Fact Sheet

West Hall Fact Sheet (.pdf)

Introducing West Hall
August 16, 2010