In Progress: Two Projects Near Completion

In construction, some of the most rewarding moments come when a project successfully draws to a close. As builders, we draw a tremendous sense of pride from seeing months of careful coordination and forethought realized as a finished building. This spring, OTL has the privilege of completing two residential development projects in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. Both projects feature clean, modern design, and gorgeous finishes, each with its own personality and feel. We feature the interiors of both projects here:

Henry Street

Columbia Street

In Progress: 325 Henry Street

Progress at the 325 Henry Street site in Brooklyn has charged ahead through the summer and fall. The project has progressed from a seventeen-foot deep excavation to a complete concrete foundation and superstructure. As of this publishing, the building has topped out and the crew is preparing for the next phase of work. We are all excited to see this building continue to take shape as the facade construction begins.

Breaking Ground: OTL Takes Brooklyn

OTL has built in Brooklyn before, but our presence in New York's largest borough has never been stronger. With three projects set to take place over the next two years, OTL is ramping up operations across the river. Each of these diverse projects presents unique challenges for the firm and tackling them has required a great deal of pre-construction planning. Some site work has already been completed and we are excited to get these projects fully underway. Look out for "In Progress" web updates as these projects forge ahead.

"We have started to venture into boroughs other than Manhattan and I think that is where our future growth lies." - Angelo Cosentini, Principal

Paul Reehling: Hays Profile DNA Of A VP

Partner Paul Reehling recently sat down with international recruiting firm Hays for a profile on his career path to his current position at OTL. Paul sheds light on what motivates him and how he meets the everyday challenges of the job while forging his place in the industry. Check out the full article here: DNA Of A VP Of Construction.

"I love that this job changes every day and that I get to deal with people. I get to work with some of the most creative, technical and smart people out there and everyone in between. In any one day I will deal with architects, engineers, lawyers, politicians, recruiters, laborers. I think the only people I don’t deal with are doctors!"

The OTL Team Welcomes New Members

There have been several new additions to the OTL crew over the last year and we couldn't be more thrilled. With several new projects starting, and even more in pre-construction and development, a deeper pool of talent has been critical in handling the increasing workload. We have added personnel at every level of the management structure, both in the field and in the office. These professionals bring a diverse array of experience from high-end renovations to infrastructure engineering. Get to know them here and at a job site near you!

Portfolio Feature: Rebelle

Completed in Spring 2015, Rebelle became an immediate hot spot destination on the Lower East Side. OTL was able to complete a major renovation of this space under tight schedule constraints to get the client up and running as soon as possible. A reserved palette and luxurious textures are what sets this design apart, and a team of specialists was called upon to get the job done. From custom marble work to Venetian plaster, flawless execution sets the stage for the wonderful food and drink coming from the open kitchen.

In Progress: 47th Street

Superstructure work is well underway at 47th Street and we are pushing toward topping out the structure soon. Every week a section of the old floor structure is removed making way for new steel and concrete slabs. As the structure continues upward, the framing is being laid out below, giving the first glimpse of what these apartments will be like.

Breaking Ground: 17th Street

Foundation and superstructure work is underway at 221 West 17th Street and concrete trucks are lined up down the block. For this project OTL is acting as Construction Manager and General Contractor to convert an existing 6 story commercial building into 10 stories of luxury condos and prime retail space. This project's sequence of work is very complex as the existing structure must be strengthened or replaced piece by piece. Underpinning is complete and new concrete columns are being formed around the existing cast iron columns. In addition to the concrete work, a steel shoring truss is being installed at the top floor which will soon relieve two columns of their load so they can be removed to make way for the new core of the building. All of this work takes great coordination between the OTL team and several trades working in synchronization. Everyone is excited to see this challenging and unique project take shape.

In-Progress: 47th Street

Now that we’ve finished the first phase of interior removals, the excavation phase begins. This includes the underpinning of the neighboring buildings and front wall, as well as 6’ of bedrock excavation. These photos showcase preparation for the pouring of concrete foundation walls by way of sheeting, shoring, line drilling and lagging. The steel bracing holds up the existing four floors while excavation is finished.

OTL Wins Best of Houzz Award for Client Satisfaction

Houzz (Houzz.com), the leading platform for home remodeling and design, named OTL among their community’s picks for Best Of Houzz 2015, a homeowner-to-homeowner guide to the top home builders, architects, interior designers, landscape pros and other residential remodeling professionals on Houzz from tile, stone and countertop pros to painter. 

OTL was recognized in the Service Category, determined by a variety of factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2014. Check out our profile and thanks to the Houzz community for this recognition!

Recommended Read: Throw a Party for Your Contractors

November 26th's New York Times profiled a seemingly unlikely scenario that resonated with team OTL. After Chelsea homeowners James LaForce and Stephen Henderson completed a yearlong gut renovation they found themselves missing the team with whom they had worked so closely. So much so that their inaugural dinner party welcomed everyone from their decorator to the painters, electricians and contractors who had created their new home. The scenario reflects how personal a home renovation is, how frequently one speaks to their contractor during that process (read: daily), and how, with the right contractor, a job can be so enjoyable that you'll actually be sad when it's over.  We know the feeling.

Read the Story Here

Breaking Ground: 47th Street

Demolition commenced on West 47th Street, where OTL, acting as Construction Manager and General Contractor, is transforming a commercial building into a 14,000 sq ft, 7-story building of luxe condos. Tracking for completion by Spring 2016, the completed building will house 5 units including 1 triplex with a townhouse feel to it which will include a private garage space, 1 duplex and 3 full floor units. Architect: William Leggio Architect LLC