In recent years there has been a growing trend away from the traditional indoor shopping malls in favor of shopping districts within revitalized sections of downtown areas. The City of Glendale, California is a prime example of just such a city with its proactive approach toward renovating North Brand Avenue within the heart of the city. One of the commercial renovations central to this rejuvenation process, is a property located at 201 North Brand Boulevard which is owned by our client Mika Company; a firm specializing in the renovation and leasing of commercial properties. Mika Company had negotiated a lease agreement with its tenant; a chain of children's stores known as Zany Brainy. As such, this commercial renovation focused on upgrading the structure seismically, and incorporating tenant improvements to meet the specifications of the tenant as required by the lease agreement.

We developed a Design Development Phase Construction Cost Estimate for this Commercial Renovation project. At the stage at which the estimate was performed, the Contract Drawings were not yet finalized and we were initially responsible for developing the costs of systems including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire sprinkler, and life/safety systems based on a factoring of unit costs by assembly. As construction progressed and designs were completed, DACM Project Management prepared revisions to the initial estimate to determine the budgetary impacts of the the revised design and to assist Mika Company in evaluating if the changes were cost effective to implement into the contractors scope of work.