According to Jerry Tucci, Sr., president and CEO of J. Tucci Construction Corp., the firm has recently completed the construction of the 24,000 s/f ESPRIT flagship store, located at 21-25 West 34th St.
The complex retail build-out included the construction of a three-story retail store, including a finished basement and two full floors on the first and second levels. The project design-implemented by Barteluce Architects & Associates-required a compressed work schedule and a series of logistical issues that impacted the project schedule, including an alteration of the building to allow for a unique high-design staircase, a focal point of the modern store design. The signature architectural stair required modifications to structural steel from the foundation to the top floor to accommodate the unique open design integrating stainless steel, glass and open stringer detail.
The staircase was manufactured in smaller sections to accommodate delivery to the jobsite, on-site assembly and installation. Multiple crews worked simultaneously on all three floors on the balance of project to ensure scheduled completion. In addition, the project also included the complex fit-out of integrated mechanical and electrical systems as well as a detailed grid-style ceiling system.
Re-processed wood millwork and lighting for the project were manufactured in Germany and required daily communication with project executives based in Europe to ensure that deliveries were on-schedule for this fast-track project, constructed in 11 weeks from start to completion. Brian Tucci, the COO of J. Tucci, and lead project executive, spearheaded planning and implementing the strategic and tactical plans necessary to successfully coordinate the process. He said, "An unbelievable amount of on-site supervision, coordination, and communication were critical to ensuring a successful fast-track completion of this project."
Adam McCown, ESPRIT's vice-president of design, architecture & construction said, "Throughout the build-out process, J. Tucci Construction has demonstrated an exceptional level of professionalism and agility, helping ESPRIT maneuver through the sometimes difficult New York City landscape. They have proven to be invaluable partners in achieving our success."
J. Tucci bid for this project after completing the construction of the core and shell building on 34th St. as part of the 34th St. Development Project.

J. Tucci has earned a reputation for completing complex construction assignments, often within tight project schedules and with unique technical requirements. The J. Tucci team is well equipped to provide hands-on project management and logistical support for new construction assignments and was retained to build a 3-story building in Midtown. The firm's combination of construction know-how alongside professional management techniques and architectural and engineering knowledge have enabled the organization to earn a reputation as a "go-to" source for intricate assignments that require unparalleled commitment and attention to detail. The 34th Street Development Project brought a series of challenges including underground site conditions and foundation work within a compressed eight-month project schedule, through three major snow and ice storms and record rainfalls during active construction.
The J. Tucci team provided insight to every project challenge, including working around the 34th Street bus lane and proactively addressing community concerns such as reducing noise and maintaining pedestrian walkways. Additionally, J. Tucci was able to craft a solution to the work hour restrictions that extended beyond the scope of the regular work day. Since bus lanes could not be blocked during regular working hours, delivery and off-loading of materials was only permitted Monday through Friday from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. In addition, J. Tucci was only allowed to erect steel on Friday and Saturday nights from 7 p.m. to midnight. Nevertheless, the creative J. Tucci team was fully committed to completing the project within schedule; and project executives devised a sophisticated phasing plan to keep a crane within the perimeter of the site to enable the team to erect steel required to complete the project—often using a giant crane to lift a mini crane within the foundation footprint of the construction site.
These challenges, however, were not new to the J. Tucci team, and according to Jerry Tucci, Sr., "this was all within the course of what's needed for a complicated core and shell assignment with a busy commercial corridor like 34th Street. All [our team] knew, was that we needed to comply with city regulations, be sensitive to local residents, reduce noise and keep the project on-track, every step of the way."
The J. Tucci team takes pride in its commitment to its core values: Passion, Partnership and Professionalism. Based in New York, J. Tucci has built a strong reputation as a go-to source for challenging construction assignments. The firm's 25-year track-record is built around a strong history of successful, repeat assignments for a wide-range of retail, corporate, healthcare, hospitality, educational and institutional clients, making J. Tucci, a critical construction resource for any construction challenge. Tags: