The Center at Belvedere is a vibrant senior community center that offers cultural, fitness, social, and civic engagements for the surrounding areas of Charlottesville geared toward the aging communities. With the senior population booming, the Center rapidly grew out of its previous space and needed a more modern, adaptable environment to support its mission. Barton Malow provided Construction Management services for the new 48,000-SF two-story community center that has allowed for expanded programs and services.
The Center is now a welcoming community hub with the capacity for impactful collaborations and partnerships. The new facility features a 380-seat performing arts auditorium, a catering kitchen, and conference space to support various events. A state-of-the-art wellness area includes fitness space and group exercise rooms, and areas for personalized physical therapy. Other amenities on the first floor include a travel center, a Greenberry’s Café franchise, and Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital Family Clinic. The second floor hosts a learning wing with classrooms and a library, arts and game rooms, and business offices for The Center. Public spaces indoors and out offer places for quiet conversation, reflection, or larger social gatherings. Walking paths and gardens complete the new property.
Maintaining the Budget
Originally over budget, Barton Malow worked closely with The Center and the design team prior to and throughout construction to find solutions that would deliver a state-of-the-art community center while still maintaining the facility’s programmatic needs. Our team evaluated various building layouts, the building’s height, multiple mechanical systems, and the reduction of square footage. Through these efforts and several collaborative value engineering sessions, the team was able to bring the estimate back down to budget. Barton Malow ultimately delivered a GMP that came within 1% of the owner’s final construction budget.
Combatting Invasive Vegetation
During construction, the team faced a major challenge: a significant amount of invasive vegetation outside of the new structure. So who ya gonna call? Check out the first episode of our podcast, Said Differently, to learn more!
