1655 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA
Derek Gombos | Structural
Dr. Thomas E. Boothby, P.E., R.A.
Statistics
Flats on Fifth is a seven story residential building located in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. It is the first new construction in the area in over half a century and part of the beginning of the revitalization of the Uptown Districts. The site is conveniently located just a few blocks from PPG Paints arena and has quick access to the Parkway.
General Building Information:
Building Name:
Location:
Occupant Name:
Occupancy Type:
Building Area:
Total Stories:
Project Cost:
Construction Dates:
Project Delivery Method:
Flats on Fifth
Pittsburgh, PA
Flats on Fifth
Residential
Approx. 90,000 SF
7
$11,958,505
May 2015 - Sept. 2016
Design-Build
Project Team:
Owner:
Structural Engineer:
Geotechnical Engineer:
David Laffey
Mark Sipos
Dr. Javaid Alvi
Castlebrook Development Group
Keystone Structural Solutions
Geo-Mechanics Inc.
Building Codes and Standards
State:
County:
Mechanical:
Plumbing:
Electrical:
Fire:
Structural:
Other:
Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code
Allegheny County Health Department Article XV
International Mechanical Code 2009
International Plumbing Code 2009
National Electric Code 2008
International Fire Code 2009
American Society of Civil Engineers 7-05
International Building Code 2009 (Except Ch.11)
International Building Code 2012 Ch. 11
International Energy Conservation Code 2009
International Fuel Gas Code 2009
ICC/ANSI 117.1 2009 (Accesssibility)
Architecture:
Courtesy: Castlebrook Development Group
Flats on Fifth offers 74 single or double bedroom units for lease over 5½ floors. Parking is made available on two floors with 53 spaces and a small room for bicycle storage as shown to the left. Other resident comforts include a business style meeting room, fitness center, public kitchen and pet washing and grooming station.
Facade and Roofing:
The façade of Flats on Fifth is broken up into two main sections. The first two floors are mostly of a brick veneer. Historically, the Uptown District is mostly two or three story brick buildings so this choice is a dedication to that culture. The remaining floors are a more modern style with fiber cement panels, ribbed metal panels, and vinyl siding. The roofing material is a white TPO membrane over OSB sheathing and rigid insulation.
Courtesy: Architect
Podium:
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Flats on Fifth is a combination of two construction types resulting in a podium style building. The two sections to the right help illustrate this. Steel structure with metal deck and concrete comprise the basic structure of the first two floors as shown in the first section. Moving higher into the building, and to the second section, wood joists can be seen with a thin wood sheathing.
Courtesy: Architect
Site and Zoning:
Flats on Fifth was built on a narrow site between Fifth Avenue and Our Way. Before construction, the site, marked in red on the map below, was a seldom used parking lot. As mentioned before, local conveniences include PPG Paints Arena as well as Duquesne University and UPMC Mercy Hospital. Fifth Avenue and Forbes Avenue provide quick access to the Parkway and Downtown.
The site is sloped upward from Fifth Avenue to Our Way with a difference of approximately 10-12 feet. Taking advantage of this, the two level garage has no ramps, but two entrances/exits, one to the front of the building and one to the rear.
Courtesy: Civil Engineer
Flats on Fifth is located in Pittsburgh’s Uptown Public Realm District A. Section 908.04 of the local zoning ordinance.
Courtesy: Archiect
Primary Engineering Systems
Structure:
The first two levels of the structure are steel composite framing with concrete slab on deck. Typical beam sizes are W21s, W24s, and W33s. Decking is 2” composite metal decking with either 4.5” or 5.25” of normal weight concrete. Columns are typically W12s. This serves as a podium for the remaining five floors. Upper floors are wood framing consisting of 16” deep joists spanning between 6” stud bearing walls. Lateral force resistance is provided mainly by three masonry shafts that extend the full height of the building. Other lateral force resisting elements such blocking in the wood floor diaphragm or steel moment frames have been added, but these are only meant to supplement the masonry shafts.
Mechanical:
Separate public spaces are serviced by separate units housed in the parking areas of these levels. Each room is capable of maintaining its own climate independent of another. Similarly, each apartment unit has its own in-wall HVAC unit. Complex mechanical systems rising through multiple floors is not necessary in this format.
Electrical:
The main utility vault is located inside the building in the South-East corner of the plan. Inside the vault is a utility owned 208Y-120 volt 3-phase transformer providing power to the 240 kilovolt main distribution panel (MDS). From the MDS, power is distributed vertically into tap boxes at each level of the building. Tap boxes act as intermediate distribution panels at each level to send power to each residential unit. As a backup, the MDS is supplied by a diesel fuel generator which supplies power through an automatic transfer switch in the event of an emergency. This generator will supply power to life safety systems.
Construction:
Construction began in May 2015 and was delivered as a design-build project. The project was completed in September 2016. Total cost of construction was just shy of $12 million.
Additional Engineering Systems
More information is being requested on more specialized engineered systems within the building.