Bernards Leads $81M Meridian Construction

NEWPORT BEACH, CA-Commercial builder Bernards has been retained by owners Hillwood West and the New Home Co. to manage construction on Meridian, an $81.7-million condominium complex here. As GlobeSt.com reported in May, the complex is the first new for-sale residential project in the Newport Center area in more than 20 years.

Designed by Irvine-based MVE Studio, the 399,340-square-foot project, scheduled for completion in August 2015, includes 79 luxury units atop a two-level, cast-in-place concrete, at-grade and below-grade parking structure. Common areas will include a concierge lobby, exercise room, clubhouse and swimming pool.

“This is a sustainably designed project that utilizes the modular ConXtech prefabricated structural steel-frame building system, which can be customized to various building types,” says Steve Pellegren, Bernards' VP of preconstruction services. “Using the ConX System, which has been Cradle to Cradle Certified at the Silver level, greatly adds to the sustainability of this project.”

Pellegren adds that the technology includes a metal stud framing in-fill and plaster system. “The simplicity of ConXtech structural technology, which involves just a handful of connectors and standardized details, offers an efficient building solution that enables reduced building material, time and labor. It also enables BIM technology to be fully leveraged form design through completion of the project.”

Bernards uses BIM/VDC modeling software and techniques to identify and evaluate construction efficiencies, which is particularly effective for complex projects.

As GlobeSt.com reported in August, with Southern California experiencing a dramatic surge in construction activity, particularly in multifamily projects, Bernards has added more than 30 new professionals since the beginning of the year and remains in hiring mode. At that time, Lawrence Felton and Peggy Schulz joined the firm.