Topping Out at OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale
McCarthy Building Companies recently concluded the steelwork, including the installation of 2 million lbs. of steel and 1,198 beams, for the 200,000 square-foot, three-story, highly anticipated OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Prior to setting the final steel beam, McCarthy’s OdySea construction team placed 5,455 linear feet of massive acrylic observation windows to house exhibits that will hold more than 1.5 million gallons of water. The gigantic acrylic windows create unique observation tunnels within the aquarium, which visitors will walk through and ride through on the escalator. The 48 exhibits will be maintained by 300 pumps and over 42,000 linear feet of piping, including 11,000 linear feet of piping installed below grade. OdySea Aquarium’s structure involved McCarthy pouring more than 10,000 cubic yards of concrete for its structural footings; 16 cast-in-place aquatic tanks; 121 individual structural columns; and 72 concrete tilt wall panels, which were assembled over eight days on-site and placed using a 300 ton tilt plane crawler crane. The largest panel placed weighs 220,000 lbs and is 60 feet high.
“The OdySea Aquarium is truly is an engineering marvel,” said founder, Amram Knishinsky Ph.D. “McCarthy’s ability to executive such a highly innovative project is a major accomplishment.”
“Progress at OdySea is highly-visible, given its proximity next to the Pima Freeway Loop 101,” said Jim Brandt, project director for McCarthy. “McCarthy’s construction team has been working on an aggressive schedule to meet its time-line, and this milestone marks a significant achievement that we are on-track for grand opening in July.”
The OdySea Aquarium, which began construction in March, 2015 is slated to complete in July 2016.
About OdySea Aquarium
Opening July 2016, the OdySea Aquarium will be the largest aquarium in the southwest and an oceanic educational adventure like no other in the industry. The 16-acre state-of-the-art facility will include a 3D theater, a SeaTrek™ experience and acrylic underwater walkways for visitors to explore all areas of marine life from the bayous and coral reefs to deep abysses of fresh water and salt water. There will also be a Lighthouse Café, and the OdySea Treasures Gift Shop. The OdySea Aquarium is located at is located at 9500 E. Via de Ventura in Scottsdale, AZ 85256 at the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. For more information call 480-951-2100 or visit www.odyseaaquarium.com
About McCarthy Building Companies
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. has been building communities across America for more than 150 years, delivering certainty for clients in a diverse range of markets. Throughout every phase of a construction project, McCarthy utilizes industry-leading construction techniques and the most sophisticated technology tools to deliver the highest quality, job-site safety and ultimately, the best value. More information about the company is available at www.mccarthy.com or by following the company on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+.
