Before I get started, let’s first state the obvious: every construction project is cool. Building anything from nothing is inherently cool, but then there are those projects that completely set themselves apart either through the design, the method, or the situation.
Throughout the year, I search for the most interesting construction projects that I can find, which is honestly not always easy. There are a few contractors and manufacturers that do a great job of using the unique projects they work on to market their business, but many great projects sadly go unnoticed.
Below is my list of the 12 Coolest Construction Projects that I found in 2019, if you have a project you think should have made the list or know of a cool project happening in 2020, please let me know in the comments!
12. Caesars Forum, Future Home to the World’s Largest Pillarless Ballrooms
What’s better than breaking a world record on a construction project? Breaking it twice just to show the previous record holder who is boss. The new Caesars Forum event center in Las Vegas will feature two massive pillarless ballrooms, each totaling 110,000 square feet. It’s an impressive feet and it’s even more impressive to see in person.
11. Katerra Opens the Largest Cross-Laminated Timber Factory in North America
This made the list not so much for the construction project itself, but for the possible impact it will have on the construction industry as a whole. Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is a cornerstone to many mass timber buildings, which we think we’ll be seeing more of in the near future as more and more building departments are allowing taller wood buildings across the country.
photo courtesy of Katerra
10. Approvals Granted for Possible Tallest Mass Timber Building in North America
Speaking of mass timber buildings, the race is on for the country’s next tallest wood structure after the International Code Council (ICC) approved taller wood buildings in late 2018. This project is a 21-story apartment building, featuring 16 floors of mass timber living area sitting atop 5 levels of concrete and steel.
Click here for more information about this mass timber project…
Rendering of Ascend, by Korb + Associates
9. [VIDEO] Renovating the Top of Canada’s Tallest Structure
Completed in 1976, the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada held the record for the tallest freestanding structure in the world from 1975-2007, until it was supplanted by Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. At its highest point, the CN Tower, which is mainly used as a communications and observation tower, reaches 1,815.4 feet (533.33m). Last year, the tower underwent a $16 million renovation and Priestly Demolition shared a fascinating, in-depth video for how they took care of the demolition of the interior space and walls.
Click here for more information about the CN Tower Renovation…
8. [VIDEO] The B1M Showcases the World’s Most Extreme Construction Site
The B1M’s video follows a job site in Rothera, Antarctica with a goal to expand British research facilities on the continent. The ongoing project continues to face many challenges that most of us in the industry have never had to contend with, including extreme weather, wildlife, icebergs, and contamination.
Click here for additional information about the world’s most extreme construction site…
7. Construction of World’s Tallest Modular Hotel Underway in New York City
Much like mass timber projects, modular buildings have been picking up steam in recent years, highlighted by this projected world record holder for tallest modular hotel. Beginning in fall of 2019, Marriott has stated that the 168 pre-furnished and prefabricated guest rooms will be stacked within a 90 day period. After the rooms are installed, the building will be topped with a modular roof and rooftop bar. Once opened in late 2020, the hotel, called AC Hotel New York NoMad, will reach 360 feet tall across 26 stories.
Click here for more information about the future world’s tallest modular hotel…
Prefabricated guest room (Design and photo credit: Danny Forster & Architecture)
6. [VIDEOS] Raiders Release In-Depth Video Series of Construction Process of New Las Vegas Stadium
On September 18, 2017, crews led by a joint venture of Mortenson and McCarthy began site work on the stadium, which sits just outside of the Las Vegas strip. Over the past few months, the Raiders have been releasing a series of videos on YouTube showing an inside look at the design process, finding the correct design-build team, preparing the site, and the construction of the stadium.
As a bonus, the series of videos is narrated by Mike Rowe, owner of the world’s best voice. You can check out the first video in the series below, but for more information click here…
5. [VIDEO] Amazing Footage On Top of a Tower Crane Building Europe’s Tallest Building
The Lakhta Tower, which stands in St. Petersburg, Russia, reaches 1,516 feet in the air at its highest point. The LEED Platinum building began construction in 2012 and has since been completed this year. Once it officially opened, it surpassed Russia’s Federation Tower (1,226 feet) as Europe’s new tallest building.
4. How McHugh Construction Shaved 4 Months Off of New McDonald’s HQ Schedule
I’m always fascinated by the innovative ways that construction companies can shave months off of a complicated schedule. McHugh Construction was able to shave 4 months off of the 22 month schedule of by employing a construction method that’s pretty tricky to employ, but incredibly efficient.
Using the top down method on the McDonald’s HQ, McHugh shortened their 22-month schedule to 18-months. In total, the building housed 567,000 square feet (sf) of space across nine stories. McDonald’s occupies 492,000sf of the building.
Click here for more information about the McDonald’s HQ and Top-Down Construction…
3. [Timelapse] Watch 7 Years of Construction of New York’s 2 Newest Supertall Skyscrapers
The Hudson Yards development was so massive that it didn’t just include 1 supertall building (at least 300m in height), it included 2 supertall buildings and another over 250m tall, all completed in 2019. 30 Hudson Yards is the tallest at 1268ft (386m), followed by 35 Hudson Yards at 1,009fet (307m), and 15 Hudson Yards at 914ft (278m).
30 Hudson Yards is currently ranked the 30th tallest building in the world, the 8th tallest in the United States, and the 6th tallest in New York City. The Hudson Yards development overall is believed to be the largest private real estate development in the United States by square footage.
Click here for more information about the Hudson Yards project…
2. The Mace Group Built 6-Story, Rising Prefab Factories On Top of Under Construction High Rises
The Mace Group, which has hubs in Europe, Middle East and North Africa, North America, Sub‑Saharan Africa and Asia Pacific, recently turned over a project in London that featured rising pre-fabrication factories that sat atop two of the company’s under-construction residential towers.
The factories reportedly measured 115 feet wide by 134 feet long by 108 feet high and weighed approximately 510 tons. The factory is able to “jump” as floors are completed, maintaining the same height as the building progresses.
1. Madison Square Garden is Building a 366’ Tall Spherical Event Space in Las Vegas
Expected to be completed in 2021, the globe shaped MSG Sphere at the Venetion is currently being constructed in near the Las Vegas strip. Standing 366 feet tall at its highest point and 516 feet wide at its broadest point, the Sphere will hold up to 17,500 people for performances. The main feature of the structure will be the over 160,000 square foot LED screen, promised to be the largest and highest resolution LED screen on the planet.
Shane is the creator of Construction Junkie and an active construction project manager. In his career, he has managed interior remodel projects, site development, construction safety, governmental project compliance, and facility maintenance. He has a strong passion for construction technology and safety, as well as sharing the knowledge or insights he has gained throughout his career.