R1ver

• LocationMilwaukee, Wisconsin
• TimelineJanuary - May 2019
• Construction
  Methods

  Pile driving

  Excavation

  Cast-in-place concrete

Scope

Michels installed 857 H-piles 60 feet deep to bedrock for a deep foundation system for the R1VER project, a mixed-use waterfront development.

The new development, named RIVER 1, is located at the corner of Becher and 1^st streets, and is bordered on two sides by a bend in the Kinnickinnic River. The 6-acre site is at the gateway into the Harbor District, Walker’s Point and Bay View neighborhoods of Milwaukee.

The ground surface consisted of soft, organic soils, making it difficult to maneuver materials and equipment around the site. Michels, one of North America’s largest deep foundations contractors, additionally excavated, formed and poured concrete pile caps and grade beams to tie the deep foundations to the superstructure.

With an existing dead-man anchoring system holding the dock wall in place, the crew surveyed the conditions and adjusted the pile location and depth accordingly, to reduce the amount of remediation necessary to ensure the anchoring system was not compromised by the new structure.

The phased project includes construction of an eight-story office building at the river bend that will be anchored by Michels, as well as covered parking and a mixed-use development along the length of 1^st Street, including apartments, retail, a restaurant on the river, a hotel and more than 1,000 feet of riverwalk.

Michels was proud to be the deep foundation contractor on the project that will later become one of its newest regional offices. Learn more about this project.