Millennium Tower is San Francisco’s tallest residential building, rising 58 stories. But more than its beauty, this building has become famous worldwide for its tendency to sink and tilt into the ground.
Why the Millennium Tower Began Sinking Despite 950 Concrete Piles
According to engineering, the tower weighs so much that it exerts a pressure of 11,000 pounds per square foot on the ground. 950 concrete piles were installed to support such a heavy building. But unfortunately, it had already begun sinking into the ground beyond its intended limit before its structure was finished.
Millennium Tower and Old Bay Clay: Why It Sank More Than Expected
There is a deep layer of “Old Bay Clay” beneath the soil of San Francisco. When it was built, engineers estimated that it would sink only 4 to 6 inches in its entire life. But in reality, nearby construction and dewatering operations caused it to sink more than 16 inches.
🥇 Millennium Tower Tilt Crisis: Is San Francisco’s Leaning Tower Safe in an Earthquake?
Yes, the settlement wasn’t uniform. Its northwest corner sank too much, causing the building to tilt to one side. The media dubbed it the “Leaning Tower of San Francisco.” Although the developer claims that the structure is still intact, a team of experts is constantly assessing its safety to ensure it remains safe in a major earthquake.
Millennium Tower’s $500M Repair Controversy
Initial plans suggested installing large micropiles. However, the cost of this repair was estimated to be $500 million, which was more than the original value of the. This enormous cost led to tensions between the parties.
Millennium Tower’s New 52-Pile Stabilization Plan
The developer’s engineer presented a new plan that is now being implemented. This new design involves installing 52 new piles along the girder, driven directly into the bedrock, to support the building.
🥇 Millennium Tower’s Sidewalk Pile Installation Strategy
No, to save costs, these piles have been installed beneath the sidewalk outside. These piles are attached to the foundation slab of the building, but the new piles are kept free to allow for their movement.
Millennium Tower Hydraulic Jacks and 20% Load Transfer
Hydraulic jacks have been fitted between these new piles and beams. Approximately 20 percent of the weight will be transferred to the new piles through these jacks. This way, the pressure will be shifted from the weak soil beneath to the stronger rock.
Millennium Tower 2021 Retrofit Halt and Property Value Drop
Yes, when work began in May 2021, a fissure developed in the soil. This caused the Maze to tilt, forcing a temporary halt in August 2021.
The media heavily reported on it as the “Leaning Tower.” Because of this, the values of the luxury apartments of the collapsed, although engineers say the building is completely safe.
Millennium Tower Seismic Retrofit Update: Is the Tower Now Fully Stabilized?
According to a July 2023 report, the seismic upgrade and stabilization work of the is largely complete. The PR firm of the owner claims that the underpinning work has been successful.
Millennium Tower vs Millennium Tower NYC: Why San Francisco’s Tower Is Different
People often compare it to NYC or New York, but San Francisco is different due to its soil. This case study is still a great lesson for engineers.
Related Highlights:
Location: Chicago Millennium Park Bar-acks. It is in San Francisco.
Technology: This uses real-world engineering (underpinning), not something like Millennium Gaming.
Fun Fact: The LEGO Millennium Falcon is famous among LEGO lovers, but the real one is much more complicated.
PR Response: Claims of Full Stability After July 2023 Repairs
Recently, the Millennium Tower public relations firm sent an email to creators urging them to stop calling the building “damaged” or “sinking.” They claim that the work was completed in July 2023 and is now completely intact.
InSAR Satellite Data: Has the Settlement Really Slowed?
Video makers used “InSAR” satellite data for Millennium Tower. This data shows that the settlement of the has slowed significantly, but slight movements still occur, as confirmed by instrumentation reports.
Stress Gauges and Foundation Cracks
Despite the PR firm’s denial, major programs like 60 Minutes have shown “stress gauges” in the basement. These gauges measure cracks in the columns and foundation, which is a serious engineering issue.
Experts Question Millennium Tower Two-Sided Pile Retrofit Plan
Geotechnical engineers Lawrence Karp and Josh Carden have raised questions about the new plan. They say that installing piles on only two sides could be dangerous for the building, as it could disrupt the building’s balance in the event of an earthquake.
Millennium Tower Penthouse Price Drop & Debate Over Underpinning Method
Yes, the Grand Penthouse, which was previously valued at $13 million, has now sold for just $9 million. People are still skeptical about the Millennium Tower’s worth and safety.
The PR firm claims this is an “innovative” approach, but in reality, the underpinning technology is very old. Its use was difficult only because it was done on an already constructed 58-story building.
What will be the fate of the Millennium Tower now?
Engineers are hoping that the new support system will prevent the maze from tipping over. But as long as this remains in the news, the property value of Millennium Tower SF will continue to fall in the market.
Is the Millennium Tower PR firm hiding the truth?
Recently, the Millennium Tower PR firm sent threatening emails to creators to stop calling the building “damaged.” They claim that it is now completely stable, but technical reports tell a different story. The purpose of this effort may be to save them from plummeting property values.
What does satellite data say about the Millennium Tower
Value Space’s satellite analysis shows that settlement is still ongoing. Although movement at the site has slowed, data trends indicate that construction has not completely stopped. This data also matches official monitoring reports for the Millennium Tower sf.
Are there still cracks in the foundation of the Millennium Tower?
According to reports, stress gauges in the basement of the Millennium Tower are measuring cracks in the foundation slab. Engineers say these cracks raise questions about the structural integrity of the building. This is why the safety of the building is still under debate.
What objections do experts have to the new design?
Geotechnical experts have raised the question that installing piles on just two sides of the is not enough. They believe that if a major earthquake occurs, the irregular support system of the building could prove dangerous for the building. Therefore, this retrofit is not considered a complete solution.
Have the prices of luxury apartments at Millennium Tower dropped?
Yes, a penthouse in Millennium Tower that was previously worth $13 million, recently sold for just $9 million. People are hesitant to invest in it because the building’s name remains embroiled in controversy. Therefore, the prices here are lower than those in NYC or Millennium Tower Manhattan.