Why Do Developers Put Trees On Top Of Buildings Under Construction?
There are many signs that a building has completed vertical construction. Of course, the scaffolding will be removed and there is a celebration/media event, but there is also one lonely tree on the top level. Many people have asked why developers leave those trees on top, and it is quite interesting.
The construction tradition dates back to pre-Dark Age Scandinavian cultures and was thought to appease the tree-dwelling spirits of their ancestors who were now displaced because the trees were cut down. It would also ward off evil spirits from those who ultimately inhabited the structure. The first record of this tradition dates back to 700 A.D.
In modern times, the tradition is continued to acknowledge a smooth construction process and is typically a media event celebrating the project. Even if builders today do not believe in tree-dwelling spirits, the tree symbolizes good luck for future residents, continued growth and celebrates their achievement of completing vertical construction.
When the tradition began, builders used pine trees for the celebrations, many times Christmas trees. In modern times, many different types of evergreens are used. Pine branches are still used in Northern areas of the US, Danish people use Evergreen garlands and it seems only appropriate that we should use palm trees in Miami. Above, you can see the palm tree atop Muse Residences in Sunny Isles. It doesn’t look too happy on top of the 49 story tower, but the residences will have good fortune still.
A closer look at Muse Condos’ Top Off Tree via Goldendusk Photography
Brickell Heights’ top off tree is faint, but is there on the East Tower via Goldendusk Photography
Inside ECHO Brickell: Construction Tour Of The $42 Million Carlos Ott Penthouse
ECHO Brickell is topping off this week and we were lucky enough to be the first to get a hard hat tour of the 57 story project, including the Carlos Ott penthouse. The penthouse covers the entire 56th & 57th floor and is the most dramatic, most expensive penthouse in the history of Brickell.
With over 10,000 interior square feet, the residence will have 4 bedrooms, 7.5 baths, a den, fitness center, service suite and 30 foot indoor lap pool and spa overlooking the Biscayne Bay. In the video, you can already see the dramatic 14 foot ceilings and double height living room, giving the living room a 28 foot ceiling with floor to ceiling windows. The project will offer top of the line biometric security for the elevators, a dramatic 50 million gallon fish tank in the lobby and round the clock concierge services. The penthouse is custom designed by Carlos Ott and is priced at $42.2 million.
Here is a video of our hard hat tour of the penthouse. Please remember that this is a raw video of the tour and the property is still very much a construction site.
Here is a virtual tour of what the property will look like once finished.
Stay tuned to the blog as we post construction tours of other units to celebrate ECHO Brickell’s milestone! There are 13 remaining purchase opportunities with prices starting at $2 million.
An Aerial Look at All Aboard Florida/ Brightline Train Station Construction
Construction of the Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach Brightline Stations is on schedule for the beginning of passenger train service next month, according to an update last week at the Brightline construction blog. The stations are also coming along pretty nicely when seen from the air. While construction for both the Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach stations is coming along nicely, construction at MiamiCentral, the Miami terminal station and by far the largest of the three (the fourth station, connecting to Orlando International Airport, is coming in Phase II) is approaching the level of the elevated train tracks. Check out the video, below.
In Downtown Miami, construction on the massive 11-acre MiamiCentral is progressing. Installation of the Florida I Beams (FIB’s) continuing, things are moving smoothly at the MiamiCentral Brightline station. Once the FIB’s are installed, work will begin on the elevated train tracks. The tracks will be installed on a slab, which will be cast on top of the FIB’s. In addition, the process of excavating for all of the rail infrastructure foundations is now complete and about 90 percent of the columns have been cast.
Just on the other side of the Miami-Dade County Overtown Transit Village, 3 MiamiCentral is also rising. In just a couple of months, the building has reached its tenth floor! Shoring for the fourth level parking garage has been completed and the installation of glass panels on the third level, below the office tower, is underway. Going forward, construction crews at 3 MiamiCentral will continue with rough plumbing, electrical work and HVAC ductwork installation, in addition to casting sections of the ninth and tenth floors.
