Unionbuiltmatters

A developer tries to cut costs, a contractor hires non-union, and together they create a deadly, tilting money pit in New York City

It matters who you hire.

The most experienced, best quality work crews in New York City belong to its best-in-the-world construction unions. Developers who shun them do so at their own peril. Here’s just one more very expensive case study to prove that point: The Seaside Condominiums, also known as “The Leaning Tower of Pizzarotti.”

The 58-story high-rise condominium at 161 Maiden Lane in New York’s seaport district, and which is being put up by general contractor Pizzarotti IBC, LLC, is leaning to the north.

Buildings aren’t supposed to lean.

Pizzarotti has sued the developer on the project, Fortis Property Group, who they say caused the lean because they cut costs on a “soil improvement” method, which they say is now causing problems with the building’s structural integrity, facade, waterproofing and elevators. Fortis counters that it was the work of the concrete crews hired by Pizzarotti that is causing the lean.

The non-union project, which started in March 2016, and is well into its fourth year of work, is now delayed yet again.

But the lean is just the latest problem at the site now haunting developer Fortis and contractor Pizzarotti.

Here’s the laundry list of mistakes that could have been avoided had they gone union: … (more)

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