Portfolio

The Historic Warehouse Lofts
Buffalo, NY

Request: Design and build all electrical and specialty systems necessary to transform an abandoned 1913 warehouse into a 30 unit luxury residential and commercial high rise.

Solution: Install a new multiple meter electrical service entrance to serve the residential and commercial spaces. Install an emergency power system (generator) to serve the emergency loads, including the fire pump. Install power distribution, high efficiency lighting, power, and fire alarm systems for the common areas; and power distribution, lighting, power, equipment and appliance connections, smoke detectors, telephone, computer, and CATV to all of the luxury residences.

Challenges

Typical of industrial warehouse structures of this vintage, The Historic Lofts relied more on sheer mass than engineering to perform its task. Difficulties to overcome included the floor and wall penetrations, and equipment support issues required to tastefully integrate the new systems and technologies into the existing structure.

Bringing power to wake this giant also proved daunting. Downtown Buffalo utilizes a “network distribution” system for electrical services. This incredibly bulletproof configuration - whose reliability is rivaled only by the challenges posed to implement it – required significant excavation of the street, penetrating the 24” concrete basement wall, and working around a major downtown fiber optic ductbank.

Highlights

Turn-key project development including:

• 1,600 ampere, 208Y/120 volt, 3 phase, 4 wire, 34 meter, underground “network” electrical service with appurtenant switchboards and downstream distribution.
• Rigging and installation of a 100 kW, 208Y/120 volt, 3 phase, 4 wire natural gas generator with (1) 600 ampere, 208Y/120 volt, 3 phase, 4 wire conventional ATS (automatic transfer switch) and (1) 400 ampere, 208Y/120 volt, 3 phase, 4 wire special purpose fire pump transfer switch.

Allentown Lofts
Buffalo, NY

Design and build all electrical and specialty systems necessary to transform the historic 1924 National Casket Company warehouse into a 10 unit luxury residential apartment building.  Work included installation of a new 3-phase multiple meter electrical service entrance and elevator as well as power distribution, high efficiency lighting, power, and fire alarm systems for the common areas; and power distribution, lighting, power, equipment and appliance connections, smoke detectors, telephone, computer, and CATV to all of the luxury residences.

Challenges

This project had to comply with stringent “Historic Preservation” criteria.

Highlights

Turn-key project development including:

• 600 ampere, 208Y/120 volt, 3 phase, 4 wire, 11 meter, overhead electrical service with modular metering and downstream distribution.
• Addressable fire alarm system with elevator recall and door releases.
• 25HP, 3 phase elevator.

The Granite Works
Buffalo, NY

A complete renovation including underground electrical service, modular metering, power distribution, power circuiting and connections, high efficiency interior and exterior lighting, elevator, telephone, and data.

Challenges

With parking and real estate at a premium, an alternative service entrance was designed to eliminate the pad mount transformer. Our successful re-engineering preserved several parking spaces for the developer.

Highlights

Turn-key project development including:

• Innovative service entrance design eliminated the pad mount transformer and preserved parking while lowering cost.
• Complete fire alarm, security, and intercom systems.
• 25 HP, 3 phase elevators.

Beechwood Nursing Home “Welcome Home“ Expansion
Getzville, NY

A major renovation and expansion of an occupied facility. This project included interior and exterior lighting, a new service entrance and padmount transformer, significant power distribution upgrades, expansions, and cutovers, and general purpose and specialty equipment circuiting. Also included were an upgraded fire alarm system, wander guard system, and a natural gas generator.

Challenges

Beyond the typical issues expected on any project of this magnitude, significant coordination with the owner and staff was necessary to limit the impact on their day to day operations. Additionally, as this was a fully occupied and accredited facility, NYS Department of Health compliance had to be painstakingly maintained throughout the duration of the project.

Highlights

• The electrical portion of this project approached $1M.
• A  2,500 ampere, 208Y/120 volt, 3 phase, 4 wire underground electrical service entrance was installed complete with  new padmount transformer, underground service lateral, and expanded power distribution system.
• Critical transition components were designed in-house and custom fabricated.  This increased productivity while exponentially limiting cutovers and downtime.
• A new 125 kW, 208Y/120 volt, 3 phase, 4 wire natural gas generator was installed and the cutover of an existing 100 kW, 208Y/120 volt, 3 phase, 4 wire generator was also performed.