Looks too big to be a mock-up... I'd say it's the real deal.

 

There probably was a mock-up at some point, but off-site. I remember seeing a documentary about some facility down in Florida where they mock up portions of curtainwall assemblies, and blast it with wind and water (via an airplane engine) to make sure it keeps out the elements. It was pretty cool to watch.

From my office, I can see that they have extended it the length of the west side, one floor, with a slight wraparound on the north corner. I can't see what it does on the southern exterior. They are starting a second floor as well.

looks like the Curtainwall has wrapped around the southern end. Facing the webcam. Awesome! I'm so excited. Sherman or someone should take some pictures? It will be awhile before I head down there. Mabye two weeks!

^Was down there today and there is not much more to show in regards to the curtain wall. Take my previous pictures and then wrap that row around to the front (as you can see on the webcam).

It's amazing how fast the steel is being erected.  I happened to look at the webcam pics and they had 1 up on the floor they're working on.  Two hours later they have 9 more up.  It just goes to show how much more time is put into foundation work than anything else. 

the foundation is pretty important

^WOW, Yea it is!

wow, that's insane! lol talk about bad design!

It's amazing how fast the steel is being erected. I happened to look at the webcam pics and they had 1 up on the floor they're working on. Two hours later they have 9 more up. It just goes to show how much more time is put into foundation work than anything else.

 

they're working so fast it scares me! BTW the garage is coming along nicely. Looks as though they've hit a plateu?

 

How thick is that sheet metal they're laying down for the floors? It looks mighty thin to be consider a floor? I thought they would lay concrete down or something.  How are they doing the floors?

It's amazing how fast the steel is being erected.  I happened to look at the webcam pics and they had 1 up on the floor they're working on.  Two hours later they have 9 more up.  It just goes to show how much more time is put into foundation work than anything else. 

 

they're working so fast it scares me! BTW the garage is coming along nicely. Looks as though they've hit a plateu?

 

How thick is that sheet metal they're laying down for the floors? It looks mighty thin to be consider a floor? I thought they would lay concrete down or something.  How are they doing the floors?

 

They reinforce the sheet metal plates with steel rods and then pour the concrete (from my observation). They have concrete floors up to 13 or so now.  Once the concrete is down these guys ride these fun little hover-bumper cars over it to aid in evening out the drying process (?). Whatever....they were on those things today and they look like a carnival ride.

It vibrates the concrete and knocks out the air bubbles.

^ Interesting... I saw them using a similar device over at The Banks.

 

 

looks like the Curtainwall has wrapped around the southern end.  Facing the webcam.  Awesome!  I'm so excited.  Sherman or someone should take some pictures?  It will be awhile before I head down there.  Mabye two weeks!

 

Snapped one while walking by this morning.

I can't seem to find the Banks thread.....am I missing something?  I guess I will post here for now...

 

In any event, after another big pour in the wee hours, I would estimate that they have 1/8th of the surface area left to complete (including Freedom Way, it is basically 16 squares...they have two left to complete).

 

They also put globes on the lamposts that went up recently on freedom way (along with the sidewalk pavers).  Although this is in some ways premature, I think it is more for PR.  People look at it and see a real street with lights, bricks and everything.  Helps the average pedestrian or sportsfan visualize what is going on and what it will become.

I can't seem to find the Banks thread.....am I missing something? I guess I will post here for now...

 

The Banks thread is being cleaned, so it is hidden now.

Awesome! Nice progress! I can't wait to see some banks photographs!

From a couple of days ago from Devou Park.  My girlfriend took this with her crappy camera so sorry for the bad PQ.

 

 

Great shots nonetheless of the Banks and QCS!!!!

Some different angles.  My pq isn't any better.

 

Great pics.  Our riverfront sure is changing. 

^^^that shot was in Shanghai (building collapse) or at least it looks similar to one that I saw on TV a few months ago.  I am sure the contractors working on this project are a little better.

Yea because once the riverfront is somewhat built, it'll make the whole place look fuller.

Just curious but wasn't there suppose to be four cranes on site? I imagine they're going to need the fourth one to install the curtainwall once they get high enough because the one they got now would be pre-occupied with loading steel, etc...maybe I'm wrong? :|

They've been using a truck mounted crane so far for the curtain wall.

 

Not sure where they'd put a 4th...

They'll use the big crane once for the curtain wall once they finish the steel.

 

The big crane is scheduled down to the hour for the entire project.

They'll use the big crane once for the curtain wall once they finish the steel.

 

The big crane is scheduled down to the hour for the entire project.

 

completely or just for that day? Also why does the curtain wall look lighter or grey compared to phase I which looks blue? 

Actually, there were originally only 2 tower cranes planned for the project.  One for the tower and one for the garage.  The TOWER tower crane will be the only one on site for the duration as the two shorter ones will come out once the garage is completed.

Also why does the curtain wall look lighter or grey compared to phase I which looks blue? 

 

Comparison pictures from today (overcast).

maybe this is new and so the curtainwall contains the original tint. While the other one has faded over time.  I still think they are different colours.

I say fading and dirt have created the difference.  they'll probably match eventually!

wow so they are officially half way up which means she should be topping out in march of next year which put vertical construction time right at one year! Awesome! :shoot:

^ There are more lights on behind the older curtain wall, whereas it's relatively dark behind the new curtain wall.

maybe this is new and so the curtainwall contains the original tint. While the other one has faded over time. I still think they are different colours.

 

Could simply be your camera exposure, based on the amount of sunlight absorbed from your individual shots.

maybe this is new and so the curtainwall contains the original tint. While the other one has faded over time. I still think they are different colours.

 

I say it is because of what is behind the windows.  QCSI = white walls/lighted rooms, etc.  QCSII = darkness and steel.

 

So why is there a venting place horizontally across this section?  I am guess that is where the top of the parking structure is and everything above is human space.

 

It certainly is fun to see this structure showing itself so prominently on all of the local news' "citicams/skycams"!

def the lights behind the windows in qcs1 make them lighter and show their color

So why is there a venting place horizontally across this section? I am guess that is where the top of the parking structure is and everything above is human space.

 

What they are installing now is covering the mechanical floors.

Great American Tower halfway finished

By Lisa Bernard-Kuhn, Cincinnati Enquirer, September 24, 2009

 

DOWNTOWN - The Great American Tower at Queen City Square - the behemoth office building under construction at Third and Sycamore streets - is more than halfway up to its 41-story target.

 

The tower, which is named after its primary tenant the Great American Insurance Co., is expected to rise 665 feet when it's finished in 2011, becoming Cincinnati's tallest skyscraper.

I don't think the buildings will be connected in any way.  There is no point since the existing building is already leased.

 

^Curious. Phase II is directly against Phase I. It looks like they are meant to be connected. How will they attach Phase II's curtain wall?

 

 

Per the article: "The tower will be connected to 303 Broadway, an office building in which some Western & Southern businesses are housed."

 

AT the garage level it's been confirmed. What about the occupied floors?

I hope there are just two sets of windows and the people have to look at each other...that'd be awesome.

^LOL!

Wow, they're raising the crane today I thought it would have been next Saturday. Coolio! :wave:

 

So at this point they are about here:

 

And the blue represents where I think they'll be by year's end with the steel.

I hope there are just two sets of windows and the people have to look at each other...that'd be awesome.

 

I actually did that in Chicago all the time. I could see the meeting room across the gap between the buildings. It was kind of cool.

Atrium I and Atrium II are kind of like that, too.  (But more space than would be at QCS.) 

So I went downtown yesterday, I didn't bring my camera, but you can clearly see that the core is at the same height as Atrium II (350 FT) now which is cool. In about two months or the begining of December she should be taller than the Scripps center. The crane should be about 430 ft now! And guys I appologize for saying the curtainwall was different colors. I didn't realize until yesterday that those were not glass panels but vents of some kind in the front.

I drove north through the Covy cut today and the QCSII height is really starting to loom over the DT view from that angle.  With this, it is becoming increasingly easy to envision it's presence on the skyline.  We have some talented people who have done some mock-ups to express this but I don't think they are capturing what it will be like in person...stating the obvious, I know.  Pretty exciting for our little city.

You're right Hash.  Truth is mockups aren't really capturing the true height either but theyre close.  Should look really good once finished.

I was walking from Northside to Downtown and decided to just randomly walk up any sets of hillside steps I could find, one of which took me to fairview park, where I think you can see the very top of the core peeking out form the overlook.

They are unloading more curtain wall today. At least two 18 wheelers worth. It's all being carted via elevator to the 10th floor.

Awesome!! I love seeing curtainwall go up! They haven't put much up yet at a regular pace...hopefull next month we'll see them move at a steady rate when installing the curtainwal...but then again i don't know the exact schedule for doing this.

I want to learn more about Dirty Sandpit.  Did you register on the forums just to follow QCSII, every step and substep of the way?  I'm a bit mesmerized.

Don't harass the Premium Members.