Before breaking ground in January of 2024, the school faculty, architects, and contractors were already hard at work!
The site location has been transformed into our construction hub with a trailer, power, and all the amenities to keep staff and workers safe and productive.
A lot of hard work goes into things you can’t always see.
Sitework commenced and the teams worked hard throughout the start of the school year and into the holidays to accomplish a significant amount of prep work. Clearing, grubbing, excavation and many truckloads of structural fill got us to the building pad.
Much of the site utility work was completed. We have been able to pour the foundation of the future auditorium and we are now installing the masonry. We continue with the remaining footings and column foundations along with the masonry work in preparation for the steel members for the auditorium.
Soon you will be seeing some dramatic progress as the building begins to go vertical. There are many days of hard work ahead, but the entire team will continue to work hard to ensure we achieve a beautiful facility for the students, faculty, and staff.
We look forward to providing more updates soon.
A great amount of progress has occurred during February! You can now start to see the outer walls of the auditorium and academic wing coming up. Our team has completed block walls to the underside of the concrete tie beams. Tie beams are being set in place with the rebar, embeds and forms. Excavation continues for the curtain wall footings, along with the column footings. MEP coordination continues, setting sleeves and boxes in walls, also installing underground conduits. Chiller piping has been welded, pressurized, tested and set along the drop off and pick up lane west of the academic wing.
Progress has continued smoothly through March!
All lower tie beams for the auditorium have been completed. Block courses and grouting has begun above the tie beams. We are currently forming and pouring the upper tie beam to the auditorium. MEP Trades continue to set their sleeves in block outs in the block walls. East Wing of the building foundation has been completed and we are setting that tie beam and block as well. Underground MEP is beginning in the West Wing. Fire line connections have been completed and we are continuing to set underground chiller piping. Steel clips are being installed in the academic wing area. Steel installation will start in the beginning of April.
The structures are starting to come together in April!
All steel beams and columns for the auditorium have been completed. Steel columns and beams are continuing installation for the perimeter structures. All underground electrical and plumbing has been completed in the academic wing and they are moving along to the restroom wing now. Footers were poured for the Northwest and Back of House locations. CMU block walls have been completed. Northwest retaining wall was formed and poured. Slab on grade is set to begin in May so you can really see everything starting to connect!
Big things happened in May!
Steel erection was completed while slab on grade was completed in the academic wing and restroom wings. Underground electrical and plumbing in the Back of House and Restroom Wing was completed, while auditorium underground electric remains ongoing. Back of House block wall and steel erection was completed followed by approved inspections. Slab on grade was then installed for the Mechanical and Electrical rooms while steel erection in Area B was completed. Underground trades then moved to Back of House as the stage stem walls were formed as the stage stem walls were formed. The multipurpose slab was formed and waterproofing got installed to complete the underground and prep work.
Auditorium mud slab will be upcoming work while the slab on grade and steel decking gets completed in June.
Concrete and Steel were the focus in June!
The multipurpose slab in Area A and Auditorium mud slab have been poured. Steel Decking was completed while footings, retaining walls, and ramps were formed and poured. Auditorium floor boxes were installed. Column bases were poured along with flat sections, exterior footings, and west sidewalk area. Underground storm piping and more concrete pours will be upcoming in July.
Walls and Roof are in progress as we continue to build in July!
It has been good timing with the rainy season to complete the auditorium roofing system and enclose the interior space as much as possible. Storm piping installation is still ongoing for underground and exterior roof areas. Insulation was installed on the auditorium roof while trades worked on the MEP installations below. The new chiller arrived and was installed while concrete continued to pour throughout for footers, slabs, ramps, planters, and much more! The exterior stucco has started and really helps to give the structure that sharp, clean look we strive for.
We are continuing to move along with more concrete pours and overhead MEP’s in August!
School is back in session and things are in high gear for August!
As the walls, windows, and storefront continue to close, MEPs are being installed in the Auditorium spaces. Rough-Ins are happening all throughout the building while planters, pads, and sidewalks are being formed and poured. The lower roof installation is ongoing and exterior soffits are being framed while stucco on high walls is being applied. The curtain wall framing finished below. Air Handler units have arrived and installation will begin in September.
The Tampa Bay area took a historic hit this Hurricane Season but, the Bellini center stayed strong and solid!
Lower roof installation was ongoing through the beginning of September while framing and MEP roughs continued. Air Handler units were set after concrete pads were poured. All teams worked tirelessly through both Hurricanes Helene and Milton to ensure the building, materials, and staff remained safe and secure during those few weeks. We are very proud of the efficiency and care provided!
Upon return after the storms, the crews got right to it with clean up. Within just a couple of days they were back to building with curtain wall glass being installed, cloud ceiling and angled wall framing ongoing, along with Elevation Stucco in high gear. Roof top units were installed while MEP roughs and framing continues on the interior. We are excited for the ongoing drywall and seeing the building really begin to take its final shape!
After storm debris clean up, our crews got back to work immediately!
Soffits, stucco, framing, and drywall hit the ground running while MEP rough-ins continued. Power was restored and officially connected to panels and air handlers. Asphalt was poured in the drop off areas and chillers were tied into the system, all while finish work began in certain areas. Elevation and soffit stucco continued and metal roofing trim was installed. Ceiling framing and painting ended the year off strong!
New year, same determined and hard working team!
As the new year begins, the finish line grows closer and closer. Crews were hard at work after the holidays to finish drywall and frame columns so the scaffolds could be taken down, starting to reveal the beautifully finished facade. Auditorium seating was delivered and scheduled for install.
Our crews enjoyed being able to work on the interior with the colder weather this month!
They spent time finishing drywall, painting, and tiling. Ceiling grids were installed and auditorium curtain rigging was completed. AV devices were installed throughout, while metal ceilings in the lobby were being installed. Interior flooring also started installation around this time. Some exterior work continued with planters and column stucco installations.
Substantial Completion Date is fast approaching now!
Teams came out in full force to finish strong. The interior work continued with MEP trim outs being installed throughout the building. AV devices and lighting fixtures went up while final paint coats were applied and tile installation continued inside. Asphalt paving was completed and pond excavations were done outside. Landscaping started around the property helping the final looks start to come together.
As the year continues, we are pushing hard to finish! AV Devices continue installation. The metal ceiling grid and light fixtures are going up and casework is also currently being installed. Landscaping, planters, and column work on the exterior of the building continues. Air Handlers have begun start up and programming while sidewalks and curbs are being poured. Our teams are trucking along!