Connolly Brothers wraps up construction for Vicor Corp.

Andover, MA Connolly Brothers, Inc., a construction management firm serving private commercial, industrial, and institutional clients, has completed its work at the manufacturing facility of Vicor Corp. at 400 Federal St. The leader in high-performance power modules, Vicor expanded its manufacturing capacity to maximize equipment, process, and product flow to meet growing customer demand.

Gorman Richardson Lewis Architects (GRLA) designed a new two-story manufacturing addition totaling 90,000 s/f that will connect to the existing two-story facility. The additions to the existing facility will provide a fresh high-tech look that include curtainwall on the building corners accented with blue spandrel glass and gray ACM panels with accents of the Vicor blue covering the balance of the walls. A new 5,800 s/f three-story south entry lobby is also part of the project, incorporating a secure visitor lobby, boardroom, conference room, roof patio and renovated cafeteria seating areas. Total building size yields nearly 325,000 s/f for Vicor’s ongoing operations and expanded production capacity. The new main entrance opened during the summer of 2021, and the manufacturing in January 2022.

Vicor engaged Connolly Brothers in 2019 for pre-construction and construction management services. Constructing the new two-story addition required cutting into the existing facility before interweaving the two spaces together. While doing so, the roof was open right next to active office space, requiring close attention to noise, dust, and weather. Unknown utilities were uncovered and had to be relocated in order to begin demolition and prep work. Connolly installed a three-stop elevator shaft which posed challenges between the slab shoring and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) equipment. The project team adhered to strict COVID-19 protocols to protect the safety and well-being of workers and employees.

Project team members include:

• Owner: Vicor Corp.;

• Construction Manager: Connolly Brothers;

• Architect: Gorman Richardson Lewis Architects (GRLA);

• MEP Engineer: WB Engineering;

• Civil Engineer: Meridian Associates; and

• Structural Engineer: H+O Structural Engineering.