GDM Hits a Grand Slam at U.S. Cellular Field

Three-in-One: 680 North Lake Shore Drive Condominiums

GDM Hits a Grand Slam at U.S. Cellular Field

When Comcast selected GDM to convert the US Cellular to their broadband service, the project needed to be finished in time for the Season Opener – with no errors. GDM was given the project in early March with six weeks to complete the entire architectural design and transition 700 television sets to the new system.

GDM spliced into the newly installed fiber and fitted new signal power amplifiers, connections and signal taps to televisions in the executive suites, skyboxes, team dressing rooms, bars and restaurants. The project was completed in time for the opener.

Joe Esposito, the US Cellular Field general manager said, “Our televisions have never been as clear as they were for the White Sox Opening Day.”

Three-in-One: 680 North Lake Shore Drive Condominiums

The three condominium associations at 680 N. Lake Shore Drive – also the international headquarters of Playboy – asked GDM to retrofit 423 upscale condos with fiber optic and CAT5e cable. The project required GDM to supply these technologies using the ceilings to reach each outlet inside the condominium units – there was neither installed wiring nor any molding anywhere in the building. Everything is inside the walls, according to Eileen Anderson, the property manager.

GDM began the project in early October 2004 in conjunction with a TV cable rewire project and will complete the project in March 2005. With the retrofit, residents are now prepared for any future technological requirements from wireless to fiber optics, and are already ordering services like cable modem and DSL high-speed internet and high-definition television (HDTV).

Other high-rise commercial and residential properties in downtown Chicago are now looking to retro-wire to take advantage of new broadband applications like “voice over-IP” (VoIP) and high-speed internet services.