Why hello, tower crane: Updates from TPA’s SkyCenter site

Nothing says construction progress like a brand new tower crane.

Last week, crews installed a 224-foot crane – the tallest since TPA’s Master Plan expansion began in 2014 – at the site of the Airport’s new nine-story SkyCenter One office building, which is being built by contractor J.E. Dunn on behalf of developer VanTrust Real Estate.

The new crane will assist in taking the nine-story building vertical, and arrived as underground work is progressing rapidly. Crews have recently placed foundations for the building and the adjacent parking garage as well as underground utilities, including fire protection, plumbing and electrical.

Meanwhile, work is moving quickly elsewhere on the SkyCenter site.

At the atrium, the exterior glass walls are about 70 percent complete and crews are waterproofing the roof deck, which will eventually be covered with ample green spaces. On the inside, workers are fireproofing the structure and framing out the building.

The surrounding site is also busy. SkyCenter Boulevard, which runs north-south through the development area, is complete while much of the nearby SkyCenter pedestrian trail has been poured and is starting to take shape.

The Cell Phone Waiting Lot is all but complete, with workers testing the final north flight information screen. Other crews are demolishing the old lot, including the old flight information screens, and are preparing to return the Cell lot entrance back to its original location.