Harbourvest

Challenge

HarborVest’s headquarters renovation required six new communicating stairs across seven floors of an existing downtown Boston high-rise, all delivered on a compressed schedule.

The stairs were the critical path. Floor openings had to be cut, reinforced, and completed quickly so other trades could follow, with every component transported by elevator and installed without motorized lifting equipment.

Solution

McGregor was brought in during the concept phase to lead a design-assist approach that aligned design intent, constructability, and sequencing from day one.

By controlling design, fabrication, and installation in-house,  and fully modeling every component in 3D,  McGregor planned fabrication, splicing, logistics, and sequencing around real field constraints, enabling fast, precise installation in a tight urban environment.

Results

• Majority of field work completed within six months of contract award
• Entire stair scope installed and finished in under one year
• Two-person crews performed work typically requiring five
• No design-related change orders
• Minimal RFIs due to early coordination and detailed modeling
• Shop-fabricated finishes delivered consistent, high-quality results

By the Numbers

• 6 new stairs with new floor openings
• 5 new openings cut and structurally reinforced
• 1 existing stair modified to match new construction
• 52.5 tons of steel installed
• 800+ fabricated pieces, all cut to 10 feet or less to fit elevators
• 175+ pieces weighing over 100 lbs, all moved by hand
• No motorized lifting equipment used

Glass & Finish Scope

• 225+ glass panels (over 11 tons total)
• 800+ linear feet of aluminum glass shoe
• 800+ linear feet of pre-finished stainless steel cladding and glass cap
• 2,500+ lbs of 16-gauge stainless steel plate