Chronicles update

Omaha, Neb.

Base work begins on headquarters building

Foundation work for the 19-story, 1.1 million-sq.-ft. headquarters building is well under way, according to Bill Hartman, project principal with design architect Gensler, San Francisco.

"On March 12, the contractors were putting up the reinforcing cages for the pier foundations," says Hartman.

General contractor Holder Construction Corp., Atlanta, started the foundation early last month, just days after city workers completed site preparation and excavation work.

San Francisco

Raised rotunda will let light shine in once again

One of the more challenging aspects of renovating the former Emporium department store is raising its 102-ft.-wide dome, which was partially covered by 1916 addition. The dome will be jacked up 54 feet to extend above the roofline of the new mixed-use center.

"By raising the dome, the clerestory band will become part of the exterior again and daylight will pour through into the public space." says Norman Garden, vice president in charge with design architect RTKL.