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Smyrna's Oldest Restaurant Threatened by Road Project | Dining | mdjonline.com - MDJOnline.com

INDIANAPOLIS As one construction project begins on Indys south side, a few more are underway in Fishers and Carmel.

We did not realize we would have so much road construction around us, Gina Roesnow, owner of A2Z Caf, said.

WRTV

The restaurant is a slice of heaven for Tom and Gina Rosenow, who say they opened the restaurant almost 9 years ago, but recently Gina says construction is impacting her bottom line.

We are down anywhere from 25% on weekdays and the weekends its the same, Roesnow added.

Both 96th street and Hazel Dell Parkway are under construction, the main thoroughfares used to get to the cafe.

Both projects are conducted by the City of Fishers and City of Carmel respectively. Even the ongoing construction on 465 is making it difficult for her customers to get to her restaurant.

WRTV

We are shortening hours just half an hour to 2 p.m. We are going to shorten our menu which is pretty extensive and eliminate things that are a little bit more pricey to us just to maintain, Rosenow told WRTV on Tuesday.

Rosenow says this is a tough reality after surviving COVID and inflation.

My food quality is still there, my service is still here, the only thing thats missing is access, Roosenow explained.

She is just hopeful that customers will take the extra time to detour to the restaurant.

RELATED VIDEO | Cafe raising funds for people in Maui

Cafe raising funds for people in Maui

Hopefully we will still be open in June, Rosenow concluded.

WRTV reached out to the City of Fishers at the time, we didnt hear back.

City of Carmel released a statement on the construction to WRTV.

City of Carmel

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Northside Caf surrounded by construction, forced to shorten hours to stay open - WRTV Indianapolis

Due to construction in New Orleans Square and Critter Country at Disneyland, some offerings in the area will temporarily close.

The bridge connecting New Orleans Square and Star Wars: Galaxys Edge will temporarily close beginning on July 8. Guests can access Star Wars: Galaxys Edge via the Frontierland entrance.

The Disneyland Railroad station in New Orleans Square is unavailable for boarding and unloading, but the train continues to move through the station. Guests who need an accessible entrance can use the Mickeys Toontown and Tomorrowland stations.

Hungry Bear Restaurant will close for kitchen refurbishments beginning on July 8. The nearby restrooms will also close. The nearest restrooms are in Black Spire Outpost at Star Wars: Galaxys Edge.

Davey Crocketts Explorer Canoes and the Critter Country Fruit Cart will also temporarily close beginning on July 8.

Popcorn and churro carts in the area may be temporarily relocated during construction.

In New Orleans Square, The Haunted Mansion is closed for a grounds expansion. Most of Critter Country is closed for changes to match Tianas Bayou Adventure, which is under construction between the lands.

For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today onTwitter,Facebook, andInstagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.

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More New Orleans Square and Critter Country Closures Due to Construction in Disneyland - WDW News Today

Francos Italian Restaurant is working on its new location in Ocala, Florida. (Staff photo)

An Italian restaurant hopes to breathe new life into a space that formerly housed an iconic Ocala restaurant for over 50 years.

Francos Italian Restaurant is currently under construction at 1801 E Silver Springs Boulevard in the Ocala Center shopping plaza.

Owned by Franco Esposito, the new restaurant will serve authentic Italian cuisine when it opens at the beginning of August. The restaurant will not offer liquor, but will serve beer and wine.

Francos will replace Loritos Italian Kitchen, which was sold in 2019 and closed its restaurant last summer after 53 years in operation.

In recent weeks, the restaurant has reported that the iconic wine bottle-shaped sign that sits adjacent to East Silver Springs Boulevard must be removed because it is too close to the roadway, according to city ordinance.

Esposito is hoping the owner of the property will preserve the sign and pass it along to the Lorito family, according to a statement issued by the business.

Francos Italian Restaurant will join multiple other restaurants that have broken into the east Ocala restaurant scene over the past year:

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New Italian restaurant taking over iconic Ocala spot that closed after 50 years - Ocala News

When newcomers look across the acres of golf course greens at Lancaster Country Club, theres something Matt Wolfe hears time and again.

They always assume its fake, says Wolfe, who, as superintendent, is responsible for maintaining the golf course.

The grass is real. Its a playing surface that can handle golfers taking divots. Its a living organism with a team devoted to keep it alive. You fight dead grass, weeds and pests on a quarter-acre lawn? For the U.S. Womens Open, this teams managing a 110-acre course, some of which is mowed to a fraction of an inch and still healthy enough for world-class golfers. Dont forget the sites flooded five times this year alone.

The turf managers are scientists as well as artists who paint a scene. If things go as planned, their canvas will not be a lush, pretty picture.

Were hosting the best players in the world, and were going to challenge the best players in the world, says Josh Saunders, director of golf course operations. So when they step on the first tee, I want them to think that, this place looks dangerous, looks mean. Its going to be a tough test for them.

Josh Saunders gives us an in-depth look at course turf and playing surfaces for the upcoming U.S. Women's Open.

Danger aside, there are many reasons why this golf course turf is different from your lawn.

Lets start with the grass species. Cool-season grasses like bluegrass and ryegrass reign in home lawns for texture, color and growth. The country club course is dominated by bentgrass, which can be mowed low and doesnt need much pesticide or fertilizer, Wolfe says.

The course along New Holland Pike was designed by renowned architect William Flynn more than a century ago. With that heritage comes a mix of different grass species in the playing surface.

The bentgrass loves heat, Saunders says. With springs cool and damp weather, this species is finally waking up, he said two weeks from the start of the championship.

The record-setting heat in late April pushed a different grass, poa annua, to produce its first flush of seedheads. Afterwards, the grass takes a break and turns yellow.

Thats what Im battling now, he says. Its only an aesthetic thing. It has nothing to do with playability. Everythings fine. Everythings healthy. Its just an aesthetic aspect of how were going to look to 135,000 people who are going to be on property throughout the week.

MORE FROM THE U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN

An influx of 80 volunteers over the weekend helped keep up with maintenance at the U.S. Women's Open.

Since the last championship, the clubs dealt with a pandemic, the death of a project manager during on-site renovations and historic flooding.

Focusing on the flooded turf during Tropical Depression Ida, patience is the way to recover, Saunders says. The Conestoga River, which runs through the course, reached its third-highest historic crest during that 2021 storm.

Youre maintaining a living organism, and its going respond, and its going to recover naturally on its own, Saunders says. So you have to be patient and not rush, rush the whole process of cleanup.

The grounds crew needs to understand the microclimates throughout the 27-hole course. Each area has different levels of shade, drainage and air flow. More than 500 trees were removed since the last championship, further changing these areas.

The team watches weather, scouts for signs of potential issues and takes steps to prevent problems. Dollar spot fungus, for example, can create sand dollar-sized patches of dead turf and thrives in wet grass. If rains in the forecast, pre-treating with a fungicide should help prevent an outbreak, Wolfe says.

On the insect side, the annual bluegrass weevil is an enemy for the abundant poa annua grass. The first generation of adults emerge around the time forsythia bloom, Wolfe says. Applying insecticide prevents them from laying eggs. But, if they miss the window and adults reproduce, the next generation of grubs have a grass buffet. The population grows along with the damage. Through the golf season, the team looks for signs of damage and digs into the soil to look for grubs smaller than a pencil eraser.

MORE FROM THE U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN

Grounds crew members work on the bunkers at the 16th hole at Lancaster Country Club.

Work on the course has been ongoing with construction renovating bunkers, changing tees and expanding fairways. Over the winter, the team removed dead trees and repaired bridges.

On April 1, as plants throughout the course started waking up, the turf team turned to the big event. Theyre looking for turf thats dense, vigorous and upright, with a good color. This is not the time to irrigate the entire course at once. Limiting water makes a firm and fast surface for the golfers and prevents disease.

The approach to the 13th green at the 79th U.S. Womens Open

Its a delicate balance. Too much water, and the roots become shallow and not resilient. Too little water brings other issues.

You want to keep the grass searching for water, Wolfe says.

Usually, he has a team of 25 to 30 people during the busy season. This year, a team of 20, including managers, prepped for the championship. The country club hires seasonal workers to boost the ranks through the federal H-2B temporary non-agricultural visa program. Most of the employees are from Mexico and have worked on site for more than a decade, Wolfe says. Last year, eight seasonal workers started their work in Lancaster in April. This year, the start time lottery draw means seven workers will arrive weeks later, after the U.S. Womens Open is over.

The 2024 crew is smaller and includes three former golf course superintendents, turf school students and a few new hires who have never worked on a golf course.

An influx of 80 volunteers over the weekend helped. Every volunteer works in the industry so training wasnt an hurdle, a luxury in a tight labor market, Wolfe says.

During the tournament, staff and volunteers plan to meet at 4 a.m. and then mow, roll and adjust as the course setup shifts pin positions and tee locations. They need to wrap up by the time play starts at 6:45 a.m.

The rough is mowed to 3-4 inches; fairways to 0.4 inches; tees to 0.375 inches; approaches to 0.225 inches. The height of the greens is top-secret, Saunders says.

The team aims to make the playing surface as consistent as possible and only give greens enough moisture to survive the day for playability and health of the grass.

At 4 p.m., theyre back for a meal and then wait for play to end to prep the course for the next day. On the night shift, theyll check moisture levels and water with hoses where needed. In a few hours, theyll be back to do it again.

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Here's how the turf team grows the grass for the 2024 US Women's Open [photos, video] - LNP | LancasterOnline

NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. (KCAU) Sharp Lawn Care has introduced a grass cutting robot to the Siouxland area, and the Bradys in North Sioux City know firsthand what its like to have the mow-bot zipping around the front lawn.

I have to admit that these newfangled things are kind of confusing at first, Janice Brady said. But after talking to [Sharp Lawn Care president] Mr. Lance, I would say that we really felt comfortable in giving it a try, and it is amazing.

For the past month, the Bradys have had their own daily lawn service cutting their grass.

The best part is instead of each week the grass getting long and then they come and clip it off, it stays the same length all the time, Michael Brady said.

It looks like its always mowed, Janice said. One of the advantages is its not noisy, and it always looks nice, and you dont have to try to find a gas can to get it to work.

Not only is the robot a much more quiet way to cut the grass, its also healthier for the soil.

Its much less intrusive, its not a big machine that is compacting the soil, Sharp Lawn Care president Lance Britton said. Its only 25, 30 pounds, and so theres very little compaction on the soil. The less soil compaction, the better. The roots can grow down in the ground, so that plant is going to be a healthier plant.

Since the SharpBot mows every day, the clippings are almost unnoticeable.

When its cut every single day, its really only taking a fraction of an inch off the blade of grass, Britton said. Its a lot healthier for the blade of grass, for the plant itself. And because they are very small clippings they decompose into the soil.

Now the neighborhood has taken to the SharpBot as if it were the Bradys pet.

Theyre having a good time watching, Janice said. We call her Rita, and theyre having a good time watching her.

They actually took care of her when we were gone for a few days, Michael said.

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Lawn care robot brings ease to mowing the grass - KCAU 9

Moving to a bigger property can be an expensive, arduous process and upsetting if you love your current home. If you need more living space, you could instead try adding to your existing property.

There are various ways to extend your house. Here, we run through the extension types and offer advice on where to start with home improvement projects including garage conversions and extensions, front porches and expanding into the basement.

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If youre not using your garage to store a car, why not get the most out of it and create a new room?

As the foundations are already there, its often a much cheaper way to create more space.

Plus, garage conversions mean you won't lose any garden space like you would with a standard extension.

Plus, once it's a functioning room it's less likely than a garage to get turned into a storage room that gets increasingly filled with stuff.

First, consult an estate agent about whether converting your garage could negatively impact your property's value. If you'll be living in your home for years to come, it may well be worth going ahead anyway, whatever they say, but if garages are highly sought-after in your area, think carefully before converting yours.

Before you start work on the conversion, consider what youll do with everything currently kept in the garage. If you store a lot of garden gear and bikes in it, you may need to factor a shed into your plans. If its where you keep your large spare freezer, youll need to work out where it can be moved to or whether you can live without it.

If you really have no room anywhere else for these things, perhaps a partial garage conversion (or a conversion that has lots of storage space set aside within it) will work better for you.

A garage conversion is one of the speediest and most affordable routes to adding extra space to your home. Plus, you won't need to move out while works are happening. If its integrated or attached, the garage should be fairly easy to work into the main house.

If your garage is detached from the main property, you might need to apply for planning permission. In some circumstances it may be better to create a separate building that links back to the original structure, perhaps via a glazed corridor. This kind of approach can work especially well for heritage homes, where the planners may be keen on the idea of creating a distinct new zone subservient to the main house. A detached structure lends itself to segregated uses, such as an annex or quiet home office.

Garage conversion costs are significantly lower than those associated with an extension because you will save money on laying new foundations and building new walls.

Your garage may also have power and perhaps even plumbing already, both of which will reduce your garage conversion cost even more.

Head to our extensions costs page to unlock pricing data for extensions from the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) database

With many garage conversions particularly attached and integral spaces most of the work is internal (with the exception of changing the frontage and adding a window or two). This is likely to be considered permitted development, so it wont usually need formal planning consent. But check with your local authority before you begin.

However, if you live in a conservation area or listed building, you will almost certainly need planning permission and potentially also listed building consent.

It is also worth checking for any planning conditions attached to the house or garage when constructed (for example, the garage has to remain as parking) before beginning works, as an application will need to be submitted to remove the conditions.

If your intention is to convert a garage into a separate house (regardless of who will occupy it), then planning permission may be required no matter what work is involved. Discuss such proposals with your local planning authority to ensure that any work you do is lawful and has the correct permissions.

As with any type of extension, conversion insurance will cover the work and the existing structure. It should also cover materials, plant tools and equipment.

This type of insurance should also cover public liability and employer's liability should any of the workers be injured on site, for example. Public liability and employers' liability are automatically included to ensure you are adequately protected, but do double-check to make sure it's definitely included.

Ensure that the conversion insurance is ready to go from the moment work starts until the very end of the job.

Conversion insurance needs to be in place from the moment you plan to start work on the property and should continue to the point the project is completed and taken into full use.

You can either design and oversee the project yourself and employ builders, or you can hire an architectural designer or a specialist garage design and build contractor, who will help put your ideas into fully formed plans and give you expert design input. The latter will of course be more pricey.

If the garage is attached or integral to your home, they will also help you consider the best position for access and put plans in place to redirect this if required.

With more complex projects, you may prefer to have full structural plans drafted. This gives you peace of mind that building control has inspected the drawings and confirmed that if its constructed as per the approved plans your conversion will conform to regulations.

In addition to structural safety, key areas your building control officer or approved inspector will look at are damp proofing, ventilation, insulation and energy efficiency, fire safety (including escape routes), electrics and plumbing.

Specialist garage conversion companies can save you time in putting together applications and will be experienced in getting the best from this type of project, but any good builder will be able to do the job.

Head to Which? Trusted Traders to find a reliable local tradesman, or use our search tool:

The garage door will have to be replaced with a new wall and/or window. This may mean new foundations, but there are other options, including having lintels set just below ground level that bear on sound masonry or existing foundations at each end.

If you live in a conservation area you might find that your local council will want you to retain the original door. Architects can often incorporate them stylishly into the new design.

For tips from a professional before kicking off a project, read our advice from a builder and architect

Adding a single-storey extension will improve your home's layout and should increase its value. But could it be worth adding another storey while you're at it?

A single-storey extension is an ideal way to create extra living space in your home. It might allow you to expand an existing small kitchen into a kitchen dining and living space. It could also give you the extra space to add a utility room, a cloakroom or boot room.

A double-storey extension gives you all the above, plus extra bedroom and bathroom space upstairs. While it's more expensive, the cost won't be double that of a single-storey extension as a lot of the expensive structural work is already in place.

So what are the differences between single, double and side-return extensions?

Compare Extension costs: how much should you expect to pay in 2024? and find out how much an average extension should cost per meter squared

First impressions are important, so create a warm welcome for guests by adding a stylish and functional porch to the front of your home.

Whether you're after an extra bit of storage space for shoes, coats or stacks of firewood, a porch can be made bespoke to suit your needs.

A porch does more than provide additional space to your home; it can add extra security benefits by being a barrier between your front door and the outside world.

Closed porches can also increase your homes energy efficiency by preventing the heat escaping and helping you save a little on your energy bills.

The planning rules for porches are applicable to any external door to the dwelling house.

Adding a porch to any external door of your house is considered to be permitted development, not requiring an application for planning permission, provided:

Remember that permitted development allowances apply to houses and not to flats and maisonettes and check if your property is listed or in a conservation area.

There are many design choices when it come to building a new porch, from windows, front door options, brickwork and different roof styles - including pitched, gable and flat, down to the smaller details such as lighting, door handles and flooring. Every element can be personalised to your taste and the rest of the property.

One of the most important aspects of installing a new porch is to integrate it into your existing home so it doesnt look out of place, and just stuck on the front of your house.

A good brick match is worth considering, as well as a similar roof material to help it look part of the original building.

Read how to plan an extension for more in-depth advice, and find out how long it mighttake in ourtimeline to building an extension

The premium on space, especially in cities, has seen interest in subterranean spaces soar as they become elevated from basic storage rooms to beautiful, fully functional living spaces.

A basement extension can be a clever way to expand your living space without taking away any garden space. Whether you fancy adding an extra bedroom, kitchen diner, or cosy snug, we take you through everything you need to think about, from planning permission to the pros and cons of creating a basement.

If you are converting an existing cellar and are not making any changes to the external appearance of the building, you are unlikely to need planning permission. But you will almost certainly need planning permission if you are making any structural changes or altering the external appearance of the property, if the building is listed or in a conservation area and if you are creating a separate unit of accommodation.

If your basement extension requires excavation to create more room or if you are making changes to the external appearance of the property by adding a lightwell for example, you are likely to need planning permission.

Planning rules are continually being reviewed and vary considerably from one area to the next, so it is a good idea to contact your local planning authority at an early stage and well before any work begins.

Regardless of whether you need planning permission or not, you will almost certainly still require building regulations approval to ensure that your conversion meets a minimum standard of health, safety and welfare conditions; this covers areas such as ventilation, fire safety, foundations and energy efficiency.

It may seem like there are an overwhelming number of professionals to consult when it comes to planning a basement extension, but speaking to a reputable local builder with experience of similar projects is the best place to start. Head to Which? Trusted Traders to find a reputable builder near you.

Your builder, architect or planning consultant should be able to provide you with a package of plans and structural drawings. They'll also work alongside local authority building control to achieve building regulations approval.

The structural drawings will be provided by a structural engineer who will also produce technical drawings.

If your basement conversion requires structural changes to the building, such as excavation, you will likely require a party wall agreement. Some of the main criteria for requiring a party wall agreement includes:

Party wall agreements aim to protect neighbouring properties during and after construction and in most cases will involve the serving of relevant notices and legal agreements to neighbours.

Extending a property can often be a contentious issue with neighbours, so it's a good idea to inform them of any plans and contact a party wall surveyor at the early stages of your project.

For further information on party wall agreements, read our guide to building regulations and planning permission

Building regulations do not specify a minimum height for ceilings, but 2.4 metres is a practical height to aim for.

You will need at least two metres over the stairs to keep within building rules. Dont forget that you will need to include space for the height of your flooring within your calculations.

If you have outgrown your living space but you're keen to stay put, building an extension is a great way to make more of what youve already got. Adding an extra room, such as a converted basement, can increase your property value.

We recommend you speak to a couple of local estate agents before you start; they will be able to indicate whether you will recoup your investment when selling.

A good source of natural light and decent ceiling height will help to ensure that your conversion is a worthwhile investment that boosts your homes value.

Pros

Cons

Here are some key questions to consider before going ahead:

If you're lucky enough to have a pre-existing cellar, it may make economic sense to exploit it by turning it into a habitable basement. If you don't, the process is trickier and might not even be possible.

The costs and complexity of the project will vary dramatically depending on whether you have an existing cellar or basement with enough headroom that can be easily converted; a basement conversion is likely to be much cheaper if it's an existing space with no structural changes needed.Or whether you will need to fully excavate beneath the house to make a basement possible.

The most cost-effective option is a simple utility basement with no windows, which would work well for a workshop, utility room, wine cellar, or just extra storage. With some investment in electrical and plumbing works, and finishes to the walls and floor, the basement space could be used as a games room, home cinema or gym.

If you're after a full lower ground floor with plenty of lightwells, your project will most likely require excavation and underpinning, which will be expensive. However, a functioning subterranean level could provide more functional rooms like a kitchen, office, guest bedroom and bathroom.

With a separate access via an external staircase, a basement could even be used as the home-based business or a self-contained annexe.

Before starting a home renovation, read our Where to start with a home extension: advice from a builder and an architect. To get an idea of how much you'll need to set aside, visit our guide toextension costs to unlock the latest pricing data from the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) database.

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House extension and conversion ideas - Which? - Which?

An Australian resident landed in deep trouble for damaging a vast portion of national park land.

The unnamed offender was fined almost $22,000 ($14,600 USD) after clearing 0.35 hectares, about 8 acres, of native vegetation and building a structure in Koonyum Range, New South Wales, The Echo reported in January. The sanction included court costs and an $8,000 remediation penalty plus two one-year community corrections orders.

Since the parcel was located in Mount Jerusalem National Park, they were convicted in Mullumbimby Local Court on multiple charges of violating the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 and National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2019, per The Echo.

"The seriousness of the offences is reflected in the penalty imposed by the court," the outlet reported, noting the person did not check property boundaries.

Multiple endangered and vulnerable plants and animals live in the park.

"The felling of forest oaks impacts directly on the habitat and food resources of the glossy black cockatoo, a listed vulnerable species known to occur in the area," NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service area manager Jenny Atkins said.

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"Trees are highly valued in the Byron Shire and their removal, without permission, is not tolerated by NPWS, or the broader community."

The beautiful bird juveniles have yellow plumage around their necks and other body parts, and adults feature red tail feathers has suffered from habitat loss since European colonization. Changes to bushfire patterns in the same timeframe as well as predation by feral cats and possums are among its other problems.

Deforestation contributes to the rapid heating of the planet by releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide and other gases envelop the planet like a blanket, trapping heat and creating a positive feedback loop.

This changes ecosystems, damaging some and shrinking habitats, for instance, whereas others are supercharged, allowing pests such as ticks to expand their ranges and increasing disease incidence.

Stiff penalties may have a deterrence effect, educating and warning others about potential pitfalls. But deforestation is increasing worldwide despite conservation efforts.

At least in one corner of southeast Australia, government officials are committed to prevention efforts.

"This sends a strong and very clear message to people that before you clear land or cut down any trees or do any building work, even on your property, you should know where the property boundaries are," Atkins said.

"You should always check with the local council to see what is allowed and what is not."

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Resident faces colossal fine after clearing national park land for illegal building construction: 'This sends a strong and ... - The Cool Down

Food and beverage services company Nestl will be the lead tenant for a new four-story office and retail building under construction in Rogers Pinnacle Hills area called The Visionary. Project officials and city leaders gathered at 3800 S. J.B. Hunt Drive across from Topgolf for a ceremonial groundbreaking on May 7.

A limited liability company controlled by Hunt Ventures in Rogers, led by billionaire developer and philanthropist Johnelle Hunt, is the property owner (3.18 acres) and building owner. Cushman & Wakefield/Sage Partners in Rogers will be the buildings property manager and leasing agent. Regions Bank is financing the construction.

Tom Allen, president of Cushman & Wakefield/Sage Partners, said the building will have approximately 195,000 square feet of leasable space. He represented the property owner in the Nestle lease. Wade Smith and Rick Kingery with Colliers Arkansas represented Nestl.

Crossland Construction is the builder, Core Architects is the design firm and Crafton Tull is the civil engineer. The construction is tentatively planned to be completed by the summer of 2026.

Allen said that most of the buildings leasable space, just under 160,000 square feet, will be on the top two floors. Nestl is leasing most of the fourth floor and, as the lead tenant, will have exterior signage on the building faade. The fourth floor will also include a dog park that is exclusive to Nestl for its pet food division.

The first two floors will have some leasable space for office or retail use but will primarily be a parking garage with 330 spaces. A handful of parking spaces will also be available along South J.B. Hunt Drive.

Other building amenities for tenants include a pickleball court and a large conference center.

Originally posted here:
Construction begins on 4-story office building in Rogers' Pinnacle Hills area - talkbusiness.net

Construction photography. Image StudioSZ Photo / Justin Szeremeta Share Share

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In 2021, MVRDV unveiled the design of a terraced office building created for the agriculture company Lankuaikei. Set within a rapidly developing area of Shanghai, the 11-storey structure is covered by a curved technological roof that follows the stepping structure. The project is conceived as a showcase of the company's vision of food production, with an extensive sustainability agenda encompassing various strategies. These include extensive use of greenery, integration of renewable energy, and the use of low-carbon materials. The construction process is now captured by StudioSZ Photo / Justin Szeremeta, revealing an intermediary state where the bare-bone structure begins to reveal the shape and scale of the building. Structural construction details are also visible at this stage,

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The project's terraces step down towards the main pedestrian entrance and include a publicly accessible route to the top of the building where LAD can showcase its work. Inside, the building contains offices, labs, and co-working spaces, as well as an auditorium and exhibition spaces. On the ground floor's perimeter are small retail outlets, together with three entrances, two of which are linked by an exhibition space. The underground levels contain parking and a canteen, with the green focus extending here as well through voids that allow light and fresh air to enter the space.

Incorporating sustainability into every surface of a building is an interesting challenge for an architect, and it's one that, as a design team, we embraced whole-heartedly. This approach is not just good for the planet, it will also be appreciated by the users of the offices, who will be able to enjoy the pleasant working environment offered by the terraces." - MVRDV founding partner Jacob van Rijs

The project is set to be highly sustainable, addressing a wide variety of challenges through a combination of high-tech and low-tech solutions. Carefully selected materials ensure that the design will embody 40% less than typical construction, while natural ventilation and shading strategies reduce energy requirements. The roof is designed to feature solar panels to the south while remaining permeable on the northern side of the building, filtering the sunlight and allowing rain to reach the terraces. The faade is an arrangement of solar panels and glass angled to create optimal interior conditions. The harvest of solar energy will make the design almost energy-neutral.

Client: Lankuaikei Agriculture Development Size and Programme: 18,900m2 Founding Partner in charge: Jacob van Rijs Partner: Frans de Witte Design Team: Fedor Bron, Fouad Addou, Li Li, Aneta Rymsza, Nicolas Garin Odriozola, Alberto Canton, Anna Brockhoff Director MVRDV Asia: Steven Smit Sustainability consultant: Peter Mensinga Visualisations: Antonio Luca Coco, Luca Piattelli, Angelo La Delfa, Luana La Martina Co-architect: ECADI Energy consultant: Buro Happold

Editor's Note: This article was originally written by Andreea Cutieru, and published on July 02, 2021. The article was updated on May 24, 2024.

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MVRDV Reveals Construction Progress of the Terraced LAD Headquarters in Shanghai - ArchDaily