Suspended Scaffold & Overhead Protection at Rittenhouse Plaza, Philadelphia

Deep in the heart of Philadelphia’s most prestigious historic district (Rittenhouse Square) is this gem of a pre-war building called Rittenhouse Plaza at 19^th and Walnut.  The historical structure of this building is being preserved to retain the integrity of the original design (1926).

Superior Scaffold was called in to help get crews all around the perimeter of this 21 story art deco building while they give it an extensive exterior restoration.  Our experience working with historic buildings gave us the upper hand in designing a suspended scaffold plan to get crews onto the facade.  Bob Sarkisian, V.P. of Suspended Scaffolds worked extensively with the client on the best approach to complete this job.  Ultimately, there were multiple suspended scaffolds working simultaneously to finish the job.

 

Because it the building’s design and limited access to the roof area, Sarkisian spent many hours working with the clients designing the rigging and platform layout for utmost access and safety.  You can see in this photo where he had to place the outriggers and counter weights to balance the suspended scaffolds.  If you look carefully at some of these other photos around the back and sides you can see the swings and the outriggers.

And in these photos you can see the shape of the building and how the staging was building to accommodate the corners (to get the most real estate for crews)

Superior also designed a fully functional overhead protection system that allowed the work to continue overhead while everything went on business as usual down below.

Crews were able to complete the restoration work on time and within budget helping make the Rittenhouse Plaza shine to its proper glory.

Some fun facts about The Plaza:

*The building is a Co-Op and not a condominium.
*1901 Walnut St. is finished in an Art Deco Style, and has one of the most visually interesting lobbies in town.
*When first constructed in the 1920’s, the building was designed in such a way that it basically could be split down the middle,
and would be the same on both sides. Two elevator banks, serving 3 units per floor.
*Elevators were manned until the mid 1990’s…today, they are fully automated 🙂

http://www.centercitycondos.com/high_rises/rittenhouse_plaza.html

Call Superior Scaffold today for all of your suspended scaffold and overhead protection needs.  (215) 743-2200

Scaffolding support for facade and masonry restoration @ First Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA

Superior Scaffold is proud to be working on the First Presbyterian Church in downtown Philadelphia.

We are providing scaffolding support for a complete facade and masonry restoration on this church constructed after the civil war.

Superior was called in because of our experience working with historic buildings, especially ones that might have delicate or sensitive objects.  This particular church was no different – they have one of the most extensive stainded glass window collections on the east coast.  See it here.

The First Presbyterian Church also has some beautiful artifacts and spires at the top of their steeples that required a special touch.

We also provided debris netting around the scaffolding for added protection as crews performed their restoration.  And we installed a canopy, sidewalk shed, for pedestrian protection and so the church could remain open while the restoration work went on.

This wonderful church is getting back to it’s full glory.  Superior Scaffold is proud to have been a vital part of the restoration process.

This church has an incredible history.  The First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia was organized in 1698, just 16 years after the arrival of William Penn.  For its first hundred years, the church occupied a site on High (now Market) Street, and both the first American presbytery and the first synod met in the church’s meetinghouse.  In the 1820s the congregation moved to the south side of Washington Square where it remained until the late 1920s, when it moved to 15th and Locust Streets.

After the Civil War, the Second Presbyterian Church constructed a new building at 21st and Walnut Streets. (201 South 21^st Street (at Walnut) • Philadelphia, PA 19103 • 215.567.0532)  In 1949 the two congregations reunited to form one church, retaining the name First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia though occupying the building of the Second Presbyterian Church.

If you have an historic building that needs scaffolding support – call the best – Superior Scaffold (215) 743-2200.

Superior Scaffold Sidewalk Shed: The key to commerce.

To some this might seem a bit commonplace, since you see them everywhere, but to us it’s the key to commerce.  These canopies are what keep industry rolling.  Just think about it for a minute.  If we didn’t construct these sidewalk sheds around buildings that were doing façade work or window replacement or brick and mortar repointing, everything would shut down.  No food for the tenants, no around the corner morning coffees, no treats or ice cream – nothing.  These are our very own little stimulus package.

Many times, just like with this canopy, it serves a dual purpose; one, keeping the building and byways open for business while protecting the patrons and two; it also works as a platform for our swing stages.  (We will have some additional pics later).

These are known by a couple of names – Canopy, sidewalk shed, overhead protection.  It really doesn’t matter which one you use or prefer but the result is the same.  I never really understood the term “Sidewalk Shed”.  Maybe it’s because it’s shaped like a shed and provides protection overhead and from the sides?  It’s sits on the sidewalk, that part makes sense but it’s really not a shed, it’s more of a walkway, a passage, a throughput… Hmm????   I looked up the term Shed in the dictionary and this is what it said: a slight structure built for shelter or storage; especially :  a single-storied building with one or more sides unenclosed.  Someone in the office suggested that the term might have come from train shed, or snow shed.  He mentioned that it might be anything with sides and a roof and then said that it could have come from NYC – back when they used to use corrugated metal on the sides so they looked like a shed.  I don’t know.  Googling around really didn’t produce much – other than: A sidewalk shed must be erected whenever materials will be hoisted over the sidewalk, regardless of building height or horizontal distance between building and sidewalk.

This is a very well designed and constructed canopy at the corner of 20^th and JFK, in Center City, Philly.  It’s what we call an extra-tall canopy to clear the giant storefront windows.  Superior Scaffold can accommodate any scenario – large, small, medium, wide, short, we customize them to every job.  We can add different colors that accent the building (see our Amtrak canopy blog) put debris netting around the top for added protection, and even completely enclose the sides to protect against the elements.

So, the next time you are walking through Philadelphia or any city, for that matter, take a moment to thank your scaffolding company (Superior Scaffold on the East Coast) for their work helping to keep your city moving and open for business.

And if you find yourself in need of a Canopy, Sidewalk Shed, Overhead Protection, or sidewalk bridge – pick up the phone and call Superior Scaffold today at (215) 743-2200 or visite www.superiorscaffold.com.

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