Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Shea wins Communicator Award
MINNEAPOLIS (May 28, 2008) - Shea, Inc. received an Award of Distinction in the 2008 Communicator Awards competition for its creative design work for Cambell Mithun Tower. With over 9,000 entries from across the US and around the world, the Communicator Awards is the largest and most competitive awards program honoring the creative excellence for communications professionals.
In 2007, Shea worked with United Properties, property managers for Campbell Mithun Tower, on a building repositioning which included development of a new logo, signage, and printed marketing collateral and brochures. The repositioning (which included interior and architectural upgrades also designed by Shea) encouraged several new leases and lease renewals for United Properties after a three-year lull in leasing activity.
Shea’s creative work for Campbell Mithun Tower also received another international design award from the 2008 Summit Creative Awards® earlier in May.
In 2007, Shea worked with United Properties, property managers for Campbell Mithun Tower, on a building repositioning which included development of a new logo, signage, and printed marketing collateral and brochures. The repositioning (which included interior and architectural upgrades also designed by Shea) encouraged several new leases and lease renewals for United Properties after a three-year lull in leasing activity.
Shea’s creative work for Campbell Mithun Tower also received another international design award from the 2008 Summit Creative Awards® earlier in May.
About The Communicator Awards:
The Communicator Awards is the leading international awards program honoring creative excellence for communications professionals. The Communicator Awards is an annual competition honoring the best in advertising, corporate communications, public relations and identity work for print, video, interactive and audio. The past year’s 14th Annual Communicator Awards received over 9,000 entries from companies and agencies of all sizes, making it one of the largest awards of its kind in the world.
Please visit http://www.communicatorawards.com/ for more information. The Communicator Awards is sanctioned and judged by the International Academy of the Visual Arts, an invitation-only body consisting of top-tier professionals from a "Who's Who" of acclaimed media, advertising, and marketing firms. Please visit http://www.iavisarts.org/ for a full member list and more information.
The Communicator Awards is the leading international awards program honoring creative excellence for communications professionals. The Communicator Awards is an annual competition honoring the best in advertising, corporate communications, public relations and identity work for print, video, interactive and audio. The past year’s 14th Annual Communicator Awards received over 9,000 entries from companies and agencies of all sizes, making it one of the largest awards of its kind in the world.
Please visit http://www.communicatorawards.com/ for more information. The Communicator Awards is sanctioned and judged by the International Academy of the Visual Arts, an invitation-only body consisting of top-tier professionals from a "Who's Who" of acclaimed media, advertising, and marketing firms. Please visit http://www.iavisarts.org/ for a full member list and more information.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Shea welcomes baby Brady to the family
Brady Mauren
7 lbs 4 oz.
Saturday, May 24
11:50 a.m.
7 lbs 4 oz.
Saturday, May 24
11:50 a.m.
Congrats to Kelly & Jason!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
How to: Clean Your Microwave
Microwaves are an efficient (and therefore green!) way of cooking, but they can be really unpleasant to clean. We’ve got a green method that works well, and all you need is water and a little bit of baking soda (which you can also use to soften sheets and scrub the tub.)1. Put one or two cups of water in a large, heat-proof glass or ceramic bowl. Add one tablespoon of white vinegar.
2. Microwave until about half the water has evaporated.
3. Wait about 10 minutes and don’t open the door. This lets the water cool off a bit and the steam penetrate any baked-on crud in the oven. Remove the bowl carefully; the water will still be hot enough to burn, so wear hot mitts.
4. Scrub the walls of the microwave with a sponge sprinkled with a bit of baking soda; baked on stains should come off with relative ease.
5. Wipe down the microwave with a reusable cloth dampened in clean water and the oven will be sparkling clean and free of odors. Got a better or greener way to do this job? Do tell!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Aleka Stavroula Pictures Have Arrived!
Check out these cute pictures of Aleka!
And Big Brother Niko!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Butler Square aims to be oldest LEED-certified building
by Anne Bretts
Most people think of green building in terms of new construction, but Minneapolis soon may have the perfect model for green renovation. In fact, if it earns its LEED certification, Butler Square will become the oldest building to have that distinction.
"We just celebrated the 100th birthday six months ago, and that's cool in itself," says Denise McCormick of United Properties, which manages the building.
As building manager, she is spearheading the team working on how to retrofit the 400,000 square foot historic building while it is 96 percent leased.
"That could be a very big task, but the reason why we're able to tackle this is that all the building systems, the boilers for heating, the chillers for cooling, are all coming to the end of their life," she says.
No, the systems aren't original to the building. But in a stroke of luck, the late James Binger had set the stage for Butler Square's greening when he redeveloped the former factory and warehouse 30 years ago.
"The building itself was renovated in mid-70s and, at that time, was pretty ahead of itself, all the heating and cooling was run under the floor, which is very efficient," says McCormick.
Adding skylights and cutting through nine stories to create an atrium, Binger provided much of the natural daylight needed to meet today's standards.
LEED certification requires documenting environmental practices, materials and building characteristics to earn 32 points out of a possible 85 points of compliance. That may sound like a low threshold, but it allows owners to choose among options that are possible for widely varying sites and structures.
"Some of the things may be a problem, like (adding) daylighting, because it is a historic building and you can't change the façade," McCormick says.
And, some ideas can be too expensive to justify the expense, while some just won't work in the building as it is now. But overall, McCormick says the mood among tenants and employees throughout the big building is optimistic.
"Since I announced we're going for LEED certification, they're just coming out of the woodwork with their efforts," she says. "Tenants already are trying to be green, then they find out the building itself is, too, and that really helps them. A lot of tenants have younger employees, and they are huge into green."
Ideas under consideration include a green roof with a terrace, a reflective roof, solar panels and a rainwater collection system for some purposes to reduce city water use. Contract cleaning firm ABM Janitorial Service already has switched to approved cleaning products and procedures to reduce chemical use.
And McCormick has negotiated a contract with a Lifetime Fitness center across the street to provide showers and changing space for employees who ride to work, while she has designated secure bike storage space in the building.
She credits building owner Jane Mauer with carrying on James Binger's legacy.
"She's a very committed owner," McCormick says.
McGough Construction Co., the firm that did the work in the 1970s, has been hired to execute the work in the new project as well. McCormick is working with Xcel Energy, which is sharing the cost of evaluating utility improvements.She says it is too soon to estimate the total cost of the process, which could take two years. But she believes the investment is worth it.
"LEED definitely costs more," she says, "but I do believe in the long run it will cost less to operate and maintain the buildings."
Most people think of green building in terms of new construction, but Minneapolis soon may have the perfect model for green renovation. In fact, if it earns its LEED certification, Butler Square will become the oldest building to have that distinction.
"We just celebrated the 100th birthday six months ago, and that's cool in itself," says Denise McCormick of United Properties, which manages the building.
As building manager, she is spearheading the team working on how to retrofit the 400,000 square foot historic building while it is 96 percent leased.
"That could be a very big task, but the reason why we're able to tackle this is that all the building systems, the boilers for heating, the chillers for cooling, are all coming to the end of their life," she says.
No, the systems aren't original to the building. But in a stroke of luck, the late James Binger had set the stage for Butler Square's greening when he redeveloped the former factory and warehouse 30 years ago.
"The building itself was renovated in mid-70s and, at that time, was pretty ahead of itself, all the heating and cooling was run under the floor, which is very efficient," says McCormick.
Adding skylights and cutting through nine stories to create an atrium, Binger provided much of the natural daylight needed to meet today's standards.
LEED certification requires documenting environmental practices, materials and building characteristics to earn 32 points out of a possible 85 points of compliance. That may sound like a low threshold, but it allows owners to choose among options that are possible for widely varying sites and structures.
"Some of the things may be a problem, like (adding) daylighting, because it is a historic building and you can't change the façade," McCormick says.
And, some ideas can be too expensive to justify the expense, while some just won't work in the building as it is now. But overall, McCormick says the mood among tenants and employees throughout the big building is optimistic.
"Since I announced we're going for LEED certification, they're just coming out of the woodwork with their efforts," she says. "Tenants already are trying to be green, then they find out the building itself is, too, and that really helps them. A lot of tenants have younger employees, and they are huge into green."
Ideas under consideration include a green roof with a terrace, a reflective roof, solar panels and a rainwater collection system for some purposes to reduce city water use. Contract cleaning firm ABM Janitorial Service already has switched to approved cleaning products and procedures to reduce chemical use.
And McCormick has negotiated a contract with a Lifetime Fitness center across the street to provide showers and changing space for employees who ride to work, while she has designated secure bike storage space in the building.
She credits building owner Jane Mauer with carrying on James Binger's legacy.
"She's a very committed owner," McCormick says.
McGough Construction Co., the firm that did the work in the 1970s, has been hired to execute the work in the new project as well. McCormick is working with Xcel Energy, which is sharing the cost of evaluating utility improvements.She says it is too soon to estimate the total cost of the process, which could take two years. But she believes the investment is worth it.
"LEED definitely costs more," she says, "but I do believe in the long run it will cost less to operate and maintain the buildings."
Thursday, May 15, 2008
A Look at FLAME (in progress)
Rosedale Mall is the place to be with constrution underway on Hemisphere's newest restaurant FLAME - Cooking With Fire. Heather, Kim B, Ryan K, Susan, Nathan, and Peter are doing a great job getting this restaurant ready to serve us great food! Check out these pictures from recent visits:
The restroom tile.
View from the back of the restaurant. Booths on left, bar straight ahead. Cool garage doors!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
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Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Design: A first look at W Foshay
Not that I’ve been keeping count, but it's hard not to notice that we’ve had four new luxury and/or boutique hotels open up in Minneapolis throughout the past few years. There’s the recent Ivy with its lauded Porter & Frye restaurant; the Westin in the old Farmer’s & Mechanics Bank; Graves 601 with its ultra-chic rooms and posh eatery, Cosmos; and, of course, Ralph Burnet’ s modern art-filled Chambers.
Within the next year, downtown Minneapolis will see two more hotels open up: The Hotel Minneapolis (a Doubletree Hotel) will open in August in the elegantly restored Midland building, promising a central location and luxury amenities for travelers of both business and pleasure. But the most anticipated new hotel for local history buffs, national architecture aficionados, and world travelers is Ralph Burnet’s W Minneapolis—The Foshay.
I had a chance to view the new W Foshay yesterday during a hardhat tour (the hotel is still under construction, but we were assured it will open on July 28, plenty of time before the RNC).
Although I am not originally from the Twin Cites, I had long heard my parents and grandparents (all from the Milwaukee area) tell stories of how the glorious and majestic Foshay building was the Minneapolis skyline. As soon as you saw it peeking over the horizon, you knew you were close to the city. I recognize the importance of such a historical building to our urban landscape and was pleased to learn that Burnet had purchased the building in hopes of turning it into another luxury hotel. The respect he demonstrated in refurbishing the building that now houses the Chambers has translated to the Foshay.
The W is certain to be sexy, provocative, and hip (a W Hotel's forte), but what is most impressive is the care that the Burnets, ESG Architects, Munge Leung Design Associates, and Shea Company construction have taken to restore the glory of the original 1928 building. Terrazzo floors were uncovered and refinished, original ceiling moldings were restored or, when beyond repair, completely replicated, and the exterior limestone will remain untouched.
But to inject a contemporary vibe into one of the greatest examples of art deco architecture, the décor will have more modern elements—color palette of gray, lavender, and shocking pink; clean-lined, lacquered furnishings; and plenty of dramatic lighting. Because of the unique architecture of the building, the 230 guest rooms will comprise fifty-three different design styles.
Nothing has been announced yet as far as the first floor restaurant goes, though knowing Burnet’s dedication to dining (he brought Jean George to the Chambers), we will likely get another important addition to our local dining scene. In addition, Keys will continue to operate and will also be an integral part of the room service offered to guests.
The main bar and lounge is situated in the grand first floor, but I think my friends and I will be spending most of our time in the African mahogany-paneled twenty-seventh floor, where the sweeping views of Minneapolis and cozy snugs are certain to spark romance.
Within the next year, downtown Minneapolis will see two more hotels open up: The Hotel Minneapolis (a Doubletree Hotel) will open in August in the elegantly restored Midland building, promising a central location and luxury amenities for travelers of both business and pleasure. But the most anticipated new hotel for local history buffs, national architecture aficionados, and world travelers is Ralph Burnet’s W Minneapolis—The Foshay.
I had a chance to view the new W Foshay yesterday during a hardhat tour (the hotel is still under construction, but we were assured it will open on July 28, plenty of time before the RNC).Although I am not originally from the Twin Cites, I had long heard my parents and grandparents (all from the Milwaukee area) tell stories of how the glorious and majestic Foshay building was the Minneapolis skyline. As soon as you saw it peeking over the horizon, you knew you were close to the city. I recognize the importance of such a historical building to our urban landscape and was pleased to learn that Burnet had purchased the building in hopes of turning it into another luxury hotel. The respect he demonstrated in refurbishing the building that now houses the Chambers has translated to the Foshay.
The W is certain to be sexy, provocative, and hip (a W Hotel's forte), but what is most impressive is the care that the Burnets, ESG Architects, Munge Leung Design Associates, and Shea Company construction have taken to restore the glory of the original 1928 building. Terrazzo floors were uncovered and refinished, original ceiling moldings were restored or, when beyond repair, completely replicated, and the exterior limestone will remain untouched.
But to inject a contemporary vibe into one of the greatest examples of art deco architecture, the décor will have more modern elements—color palette of gray, lavender, and shocking pink; clean-lined, lacquered furnishings; and plenty of dramatic lighting. Because of the unique architecture of the building, the 230 guest rooms will comprise fifty-three different design styles.
Nothing has been announced yet as far as the first floor restaurant goes, though knowing Burnet’s dedication to dining (he brought Jean George to the Chambers), we will likely get another important addition to our local dining scene. In addition, Keys will continue to operate and will also be an integral part of the room service offered to guests.
The main bar and lounge is situated in the grand first floor, but I think my friends and I will be spending most of our time in the African mahogany-paneled twenty-seventh floor, where the sweeping views of Minneapolis and cozy snugs are certain to spark romance.
The original ceilings are currently being restored to their art deco glory.
Artist rendering of the bar and lounge
W Living Room
W Great Room, a special event space
Guest room
Guest room bathroom
A view from the thirtieth floor observatory, which will once again be open to the public.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Welsh signs Hamline Univ. for 1600 Tower lease
NAI Welsh says it has represented Hamline University on a 33,000 square foot, 10-year lease at The 1600 Tower in St. Louis Park, located near Interstate 394 and Highway 100. It says the offices will open for students this fall and will provide a western Twin Cities campus for Hamline's graduate and MBA programs.
The 1600 Tower is a nine-story, 254,000 square foot, Class A office facility owned by Duke Realty Corp. The Hamline University School of Business will occupy space on the first and seventh floors. NAI Welsh says the build-out will has already commenced.
The 1600 Tower features a four-story atrium, six-story parking garage, on-site cafeteria, exercise facilities, gift shop/sundry store and concierge services.
Kevin O'Neill, senior vice president, and Mike Gelfman, vice president of NAI Welsh, represented Hamline in the transaction. According to O'Neill and Gelfman, one of the primary draws for Hamline as its first Minneapolis location was the fact that the building is located within The West End, a new 330,000 square foot development under construction by Duke.
Hamline will also be receiving building signage facing I-394 and Highway 100 and facing The West End. Plans for The West End include a high-end, mixed-use retail and lifestyle center alongside four Class A office towers. The business park will have multiple area amenities, convenient freeway access and will draw solid day and night traffic.
The 1600 Tower is a nine-story, 254,000 square foot, Class A office facility owned by Duke Realty Corp. The Hamline University School of Business will occupy space on the first and seventh floors. NAI Welsh says the build-out will has already commenced.
The 1600 Tower features a four-story atrium, six-story parking garage, on-site cafeteria, exercise facilities, gift shop/sundry store and concierge services.
Kevin O'Neill, senior vice president, and Mike Gelfman, vice president of NAI Welsh, represented Hamline in the transaction. According to O'Neill and Gelfman, one of the primary draws for Hamline as its first Minneapolis location was the fact that the building is located within The West End, a new 330,000 square foot development under construction by Duke.
Hamline will also be receiving building signage facing I-394 and Highway 100 and facing The West End. Plans for The West End include a high-end, mixed-use retail and lifestyle center alongside four Class A office towers. The business park will have multiple area amenities, convenient freeway access and will draw solid day and night traffic.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Shea Wins Award!!!
Shea Wins 2008 Summit Creative Award Competition
We were just informed that Shea is a winner in the 2008 Summit Creative Award Competition.
Among the thousands of submissions from 25 countries, our marketing campaign design for
Campbell Mithun Tower scored among the very best. An international panel of judges included
discriminating critics from the world's leading marketing, advertising and design companies.
Congrats to the CMT team who created this award-winning work!
Among the thousands of submissions from 25 countries, our marketing campaign design for
Campbell Mithun Tower scored among the very best. An international panel of judges included
discriminating critics from the world's leading marketing, advertising and design companies.
Congrats to the CMT team who created this award-winning work!
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