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March 11, 2016 — A new Samsung facility created to function as a cultural destination in which the public can experience and explore its technology has opened in New York City’s famed Meatpacking District.
The Samsung 837 was built by retail and urban construction specialist Schimenti Construction, adding to that firm’s extensive list of flagship projects for some of the world’s best-known brands.
Described as a “digital playground,” the Samsung 837 project includes technological innovations like a virtual reality tunnel and a “selfie-station” projecting images on three stories of screens.
Located at 837 Washington St., the 55,000-square-foot space also features a gallery for technology‐based art installations, an open broadcast studio, kitchen and living room areas showcasing the latest in smart‐home technology, and a playroom for family‐friendly activities.
There is also a customer care area with one‐on‐one concierge‐like service for Samsung owners.
“The three‐story media wall, which includes 96 55‐inch displays, took a great deal of coordination to erect,” said Charles Esteves, Schimenti Construction project executive. “Long‐lead elements, such as a powder‐coated staircase, reclaimed wood ceiling, and decorative steel ceiling framing, had to be creatively integrated into the accelerated construction schedule.”
As a preferred contractor in New York City, Schimenti’s team is well-versed in managing the unique elements of building in Lower Manhattan. “While this project included many high‐tech aspects, some things never change when you’re building in the city,” Esteves said. “For example, we had to do extensive shoring to prevent slab uplift when we installed a new elevator pit into the existing mat slab located below the water table.”
Schimenti Construction, founded in 1994 and based in Ridgefield, Conn., builds retail shopping environments for some of the nation’s leading retailers, including Clarks, Fossil, Kohl’s, REI, Sephora, Target, Victoria’s Secret, and Zara.
