Gilbane Building Company Breaks Ground on CalArts A-Block Renovation

By Reeves Simmons.
Updated Jul 20, 2022

NEW YORK (PRWEB) July 20, 2022 - On Thursday, June 16, 2022, Gilbane Building Company joined representatives from California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) and HGA Architects to celebrate the beginning of construction at CalArts A-Block. The 25,000 SF renovation will restore a major section of the institution, housing its well-known School of Film/Video.

A year prior, on Saturday, June 5, 2021, an older cooling tower on the fifth floor of the CalArts A-Block overflowed. A portion of the building suffered significant water damage to walls, ceilings and floors as well as cubicles, classrooms, equipment and computers. The Character and Experimental Animation (Film/Video) area and the Gamelan Room (Music) were affected. CalArts had the damaged areas demolished and began planning for restoration.

CalArts is taking the opportunity to not only rebuild what they lost, but to expand as well. HGA is designing the space with multiple improvements, including upgrading mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, as well as expanding the footprint of the building on the first floor. Accessibility concerns will also be addressed with a new ramp and elevator. Gilbane is serving as construction manager at-risk for the project.

Gilbane Building Company is proud to be renovating such an iconic and forward-looking Los Angeles institution, said Raul Rosales, Area Manager at Gilbane Building Company. Weve enjoyed a great relationship with CalArts so far and look forward to our continued partnership.

CalArts was founded by Walt Disney and his brother Roy in 1961. Since then, CalArts has become artistically influential in Los Angeles and beyond.

The project is expected to be complete in early 2023.

About Gilbane Building Company Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services from pre-construction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, general contracting, design-build and facility management services for clients across various markets. Founded in 1870 and still a privately held, family-owned company, Gilbane has more than 45 office locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.gilbaneco.com.

Gilbane delivers construction management services in Southern California for clients across multiple market sectors including commercial, education, healthcare, public sector, science and technology. With Gilbanes office in downtown Los Angeles, Gilbanes local team lives and works in the community delivering an award-winning portfolio that continues to grow. For more information, visit http://www.gilbaneco.com.

About California Institute of the Arts California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) has set the pace for educating professional artists since 1970. Offering rigorous undergraduate and graduate degree programs through six schoolsart, critical studies, dance, film/video, music, and theaterCalArts has championed creative excellence, critical reflection, and the development of new forms and expressions. As successive generations of faculty and alumni have helped shape the landscape of contemporary arts, the institute first envisioned by Walt Disney encompasses a vibrant, eclectic community with global reach, inviting experimentation, independent inquiry, and active collaboration and exchange among artists, artistic disciplines, and cultural traditions. ###