Virgin Midtown Hotel
Challenges Solved
MRCE provided geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring for development of a new 42-story hotel tower including three basement retail levels extending 50 feet below existing grade. An automated instrumentation program was designed and installed by MRCE to remotely monitor and collect data related to vibrations and movement of adjacent buildings and NYC Transit structures during secant pile drilling at the site perimeter. Automated monitoring of adjacent building movements coupled with the ability to view data online provided a powerful tool to manage the secant pile drilling. The system provided “real time” early warning, allowing drilling modifications to prevent damage of the adjacent buildings. Monitoring data was made available to the owner and contractor through the password protected MRCE instrumentation website.