McLaren helps give Times Square a facelift

McLaren Engineering Group worked with Oceaneering Entertainment Systems to create a dynamic multi-action billboard for Chevy, located near the top of 1 Times Square, just below the famed New Years Eve ball. Inspired by the famed Rathaus-Glockenspiel clock, two construction worker figurines emerge from their alcoves and lift the Chevy “bowtie” insignia into the air, lower it, and then return to their starting positions. This mechanical “show” runs every fifteen minutes, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week and also serves as clock for the thousands of people who travel through Times Square every day.

McLaren’s role was to review and perform structural and mechanical analyses and assist in developing the overall design specifications. All of the elements were designed to meet New York City’s building code. We also considered fatigue due to movements, environmental affects, and system maintenance requirements.