Construction of what promises to be a signature icon of Miami’s skyline -- the 36-story, glass tower Espirito Santo Plaza was halted -- momentarily -- on Sept. 12 to allow around 500 construction workers, building team employees and guests to hold a "topping off" celebration at the mixed-use complex.

Being managed by the Construction Management Group of international engineering and services firm AMEC, construction of Espirito Santo Plaza began in February 2000. The "topping off" ceremony marked the completion of the highest point of the complex.

During the celebration, building team members, construction workers and guests were treated to lunch and heard speeches from Bill Ross, President of Estoril, Inc. of Miami, the project’s developer, and Mike McTee, Vice President and General Superintendent of AMEC’s Construction Management Group.

"Thanks to the dedication and drive of each member of the building team, Espirito Santo Plaza is on track to take its place as one of the great landmarks of this world-class city," Ross said.

Scheduled for completion in June 2003, the $160 million Espirito Santo Plaza at 1395 Brickell Avenue will include 300,000 square feet of class "A" office space, a luxury hotel with a ballroom and meeting facilities, and specialty retail/restaurant space. The top floors of the property will include a health club and luxury condominium residences overlooking an 11-story atrium.

A covered pedestrian bridge will connect the tower to a 980-space parking garage. In addition, a glass-sheathed, four-story "water court" -- featuring translucent glass-bottom reflecting pool -- will be located on the second level between the tower and the parking garage.

Espirito Santo Bank, a division of Group Espirito Santo, a 117-year-old Portuguese financial group with operations in six nations, will be the first tenant and plans to occupy about 70,000 square feet of commercial space.

AMEC is a global leader in the provision of services and engineering solutions to the world’s infrastructure, manufacturing and process industries. The company focuses on generating value for clients through the application of knowledge, innovation and technology. AMEC has annual revenues in excess of US $6 billion and operates from offices in more than 36 countries worldwide.

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