RICHMOND, VA — Gilbane Building Company accepted the Golden Hammer Award for its work on the new General Assembly Office Building, which Gilbane constructed for the Virginia state legislature. The new General Assembly building replaces the 420,000 square feet of existing buildings on the corner of Ninth and Broad Streets in downtown Richmond, Virginia, with a new 415,000-square-foot, 15-story legislative and administrative office tower. The Golden Hammer Award honors excellence in neighborhood revitalization projects throughout greater Richmond and is presented by nonprofits Historic Richmond and Storefront for Community Design.

Before construction began on the new building, the existing buildings underwent hazardous material abatement and demolition. Renovations to the Monroe Building, Main Street Center, and the Pocahontas Building occurred concurrently while portions remained occupied. The fast-tracked renovations started in 2016 and were completed before the official groundbreaking of the General Assembly building in 2017. Given the size and complexity of the project, Gilbane provided comprehensive preconstruction services, estimating and value management, phasing and scheduling, constructability, design reviews, site logistics, and procurement strategy.

“I have overwhelming pride with our client and the great city of Richmond," said Maggie Reed, Vice President and Richmond Business Leader of Gilbane Building Company. "We share this wonderful honor with Robert A.M. Stern Architects, Glave & Holmes Architecture, and Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates; engineers VHB, Dewberry & Davis, and Robert Silman Associates; and Atlantic Refinishing & Restoration, Allen Architectural Metals, our project team, and multiple trades who worked tirelessly to complete this remarkable project. The meticulous attention to detail throughout the entire process, from demolition to completion, exemplifies the unwavering commitment to excellence that defines our entire team.”