Bridge Building Groundbreaking

The Epstein designed Bridge Building, located in the shadow of Bucharest's Basarabia Bridge, hence 'The Bridge' namesake, had its groundbreaking in late February. When completed this two building speculative office development will be approximately 79,500 square meters. The Bridge Building is being constructed in two phases on a site that was the former home of the Spicul bread factory.

Forte Partners, the Romanian developers of the Bridge Building, are promoting the large (3,000 square meter) 'C' shaped floorplate that Epstein designed as an opportunity for businesses currently located on multiple floors to consolidate their operations on one floor. For instance, the market standard in Bucharest for employee density is 8-10 square meters per employee but the Bridge Building will allow for a 6.5 square meters per employee. The 'C' design will also offer ample natural daylight and panoramic views to nearly every workstation making the space feel even larger to its tenants.

Additionally, The Bridge Building was designed to meet the latest worldwide trends in sustainability and the development will pursue LEED-NC Gold certification. During the groundbreaking, which took place on February 23^rd, Rand Tharp, the managing director of our Romanian office, spoke to the various dignitaries in attendance about the various sustainable design features of the Bridge Building, including the capturing of storm water for use in landscape watering, storm water quality discharge through oil and silt separation, high-efficiency glazing customized to façade exposers, LED lighting and four pipe fan coil HVAC system.

Lastly, The Bridge Building and its groundbreaking was the cover feature story in 'Arena Constructillor,' one of the leading construction magazines in Romania.

Completion of Phase I of the development is expected in early 2017.