A Nip ‘n Tuck at 88 King Street in South Beach

Ah, the agonies of aging. Or, for those of you not feeling so charitable, the agonies of what some would describe as quick-and-questionable construction. Either way, as I was driving by 88 King St yesterday I noticed that there was a lot activity on the exterior of the building, more cranes, pulleys, and workers than you would expect for a simple window wash!

(click on any photo below for a larger image)

88 King St., also known as The Towers at Embarcadero South, is a condominium project with 233 condominiums in South Beach that was completed in 2000 with John Britton AIA as the architect of record. The condos offer some great water views and the insides are finished out with wood floors and carpeting in the bedrooms. Kitchens feature stainless steel appliances and maple or cherry cabinetry with granite counters throughout the kitchen and bathrooms. HOA ammenities include a business center with computer, printer, scanner, fax, and copier; a presentation room with a flat-screen TV, and owner’s lounge with flat-screen TV, DVD, and CD player. There is also a fitness center and outdoor heated pool. If you are a SF giants fan, you’d be hard pressed to find shorter commute to the ballpark!

While I have heard rumors and talk of a major replacement/repair project, it seems that things are definitely under way. From a bit of research on the web, it appears that the HOA for 88 King St. engaged The Albert Group as their construction management company, which describes the $15 million project as:

Provided budget development and scheduling services during construction defect litigation for 233 unit condominium project.  After successful resolution of claims, retained by home owners association to implement construction remediation project including replacement of over 1,000 windows, repair of EIFS façade, and waterproofing of building exterior to be completed while units occupied by residents.

So after many years of arguing, it appears that HOA and owner concerns at 88 King St. have finally come to a successful conclusion, as evidenced by the industrious workers seen in the pictures above busily replacing windows, waterproofing, and repairing the building façade. And almost as importantly: what exactly is that sculpture across the street?
UPDATE/ 8:26AM, Jan 6, 2011/
Erby Crofutt, Certified Kentucky Home Inspector has the answer to the question about the sculpture across the street from 88 King St.:

The sculpture across the street is known as Sea Change by Mark di Suvero, an Italian sculptor born in China in 1933.  Sea Change was installed, sculpted, whatever in 1978.