Tarlton's fast-track hospital back-up facility wins award

Tarlton Corp., a St. Louis-based general contracting and construction management firm, recently received a 2020 Award of Merit in the 'Best Projects' category from ENR Midwest for completion of a COVID-19 alternate care facility in Florissant, Mo. for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

Tarlton Corp. assisted USACE and coordinated with multiple government and health agencies to transform the Quality Inn at 55 Dunn Road into an alternate healthcare facility for patients referred by St. Louis-area hospitals for non-acute COVID-19 treatment.

The conversion was completed April 11, 2020 – less than 80 hours after construction work began. After opening several days later, the facility was staffed by members of the U.S. National Guard.

Tarlton led the design-build team in this unprecedented fast-track project, building in two shifts around the clock with more than 100 employees from four firms. Design-build partners were Ross & Baruzzini, Rock Hill Mechanical Corp. and Guarantee Electrical Co. Subcontractors included C&R Mechanical’s Plumbing Division, Collins & Hermann, Dynamic Air Solutions, Flooring Systems Inc., Jos. Ward Painting Co., Midwest Elevator, Stanley Steemer, Tech Electronics, Waterhout Construction and Woodard Cleaning and Restoration.

“I’m proud of the quick and thorough response our team put together and executed on this project,” said Tracy Hart, president of Tarlton. “We feel honored to be trusted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for this mission-critical project for our community.”

The project yielded more than 100 patient rooms on the four floors of the 130-room hotel. Scope included stripping down and deep-cleaning individual rooms and placing extra beds and furniture in storage; changing door hardware for rooms and bathrooms to disable locking mechanisms; cleaning carpet throughout; removing and replacing carpet in specific areas; repainting certain walls and ceilings; building a nurse station and storage area on each floor; and converting the phone system into a nurse call system.

Tarlton’s award is one of only two projects selected from St. Louis, with 32 Best Projects selected from a slate of 112 entries received this year by ENR Midwest, which covers an 11-state region. The 2020 award-winning projects and firms will be featured in the November edition of ENR Midwest, with a virtual awards presentation scheduled for Dec. 3, 2020.

Mary Lamie receives 2020 'Women in Supply Chain' award

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Supply & Demand Chain Executive, a supply chain industry magazine covering the entire global supply chain that focuses on ROI, professional development and change management, announced the recipients of its first-ever “Women in Supply Chain Award.”

Mary Lamie, head of the St. Louis Regional Freightway and executive vice president of Multi-Modal Enterprises at Bi-State Development, was recognized with the prestigious award that honors female supply chain leaders and executives whose accomplishments, mentorship and examples set a foundation for women in all levels of a company’s supply chain network.

Since 2014 when Lamie was selected to establish and lead the St. Louis region’s new freight district, she has worked with public and private partners to evaluate freight needs in the St. Louis region and the freight network’s operational status. She heads the regional effort to grow the $6 billion of goods traveling through the bi-state area annually and to ensure the freight network can handle the 45% growth in freight volume projected over the next 25 years.

Lamie created a foundation for a comprehensive, regional approach to freight management, infrastructure and marketing, and has united the region toward a common focus by establishing partnerships bridging government boundaries, public and private sector, industries and modes of transportation.

“We received over 200 entries for this new award, entries that were submitted from a combination of men and women. This proves that our industry needed an award like this, especially in conjunction with Supply & Demand Chain Executive’s 20-year anniversary,” says Marina Mayer, editor-in-chief of Supply & Demand Chain Executive and Food Logistics.

When it comes to women’s roles aligning supply chain with a company’s broader strategy, Lamie sees clear evidence that women are playing a critical role building reliable and efficient supply chains and the infrastructure that supports them, both of which enable the nation to compete globally.

“It is truly an honor to receive this award from Supply & Demand Chain Executive and validates the hard work we’re doing to elevate the St. Louis region’s status as a world-class freight hub right here in the heartland of America,” said Lamie.

“This award is a testament to the support I and the St. Louis Regional Freightway receive from many public and private sector partners who are all working collaboratively with us to maximize infrastructure funding for the region and to advance our partnerships with other midwest and coastal ports so more cargo moves between Midwest and foreign destinations. All of these efforts will help increase jobs in manufacturing and logistics industries here and, ultimately, improve the nation’s global competitiveness.”

Lamie’s work building consensus and advocating for funding has been central to these efforts, but she also plays another critical role -- marketing the St. Louis region to further elevate its status as a global freight hub. 

Lamie developed FreightWeek STL, an annual event bringing together industry leaders to share ideas and advance the latest innovations shaping the future of the freight industry and impacting supply chains. 

“According to Gartner’s 2020 Women in Supply Chain Survey, 17% of chief supply chain officers are now women – a 6% increase compared to 2019. This award resembles females supporting other female leaders; men supporting their female counterparts. It resembles the future. It represents growth, evolution and community. And, that future shows that it’s a great time to be a part of the supply chain industry. So, congratulations to these top female leaders. I look forward to seeing what else you do to grow the supply chain industry,” Mayer said.

Companies such as World Wide Technology, Bunge, General Motors and many others have some or all of their supply chain in St. Louis, and have been growing as they compete in the global market, a signal that others can be successful in the St. Louis region too.

For more information and the full list of 2020 Women in Supply Chain winners, visit Supply & Demand Chain Executive’s website at www.sdcexec.com. The 2020 Women in Supply Chain Award winners will also appear in SDCE’s September issue.

NGZ's Ben Albers keys success to mentors, marketing and momentum

MWM STL is excited to present our first St. Louis Broker Spotlight, featuring Ben Albers with Newmark Grubb Zimmer (NGZ).

Albers joined NGZ in 2015 and currently serves as managing director of office brokerage in the company's St. Louis office, where he focuses on representing tenants and landlords in office property transactions.

Albers attributes his early success to mentors, marketing, momentum and more. Here are the details of our MWM Broker Spotlight interview:

Rachel Treanor (RT): What was your lightbulb moment to get into commercial real estate?

Ben Albers (BA): I was always interested in development, but it took me some time to realize that brokerage was perfect for me. I spent a lot of time getting coffee with people in the industry before I made the leap. The lightbulb moment actually came when I learned that brokerage had an entrepreneurial component that other roles did not.

RT: Who is your mentor and why?

BA: My father has always played a role in my development as a professional. He is in the healthcare industry, so his influence taught me to approach problems from a completely different mindset. We don’t spend a lot of time on the real estate market, but hearing his approach and perspective on bigger picture issues has always taught me to not be so insular in my business.

RT: What gets you excited to get to work every day?

BA: I’ve always been a social person, so I enjoy getting up every day to talk to clients, prospects, other brokers, etc. This career offers the ability to meet new people every single day, so I make the most of it by getting out as much as I can.

RT: When did you get your CCIM /other continuing education and how has it affected your career?

BA: I’m currently working on my CCIM designation and am over halfway there. It’s been valuable to sit in class with other real estate professionals who work in different sectors. Their approach to a deal can be very different, so I’ve learned a lot by picking up tips and tricks along the way.

RT: How do you keep your skills sharp in this competitive climate?

BA: One of the benefits of the digital age is that there is a never-ending stream of information. I try to soak up all the latest trends and market info by talking to clients, furniture vendors, attorneys, architects, etc. If I get to the point where I feel like I’ve learned it all, it’s time for retirement.

RT: Tell us about your current projects.

One of the benefits of working on a team is that we get new ‘irons in the fire’ almost daily. However, there are handful of projects that I am ultra-focused on in 2020. The disposition of an office portfolio in Wildwood, the leasing of a 90,000 SF call center building in Berkeley, and a handful of tenant rep clients are a few examples.

RT: What does a St. Louis CRE Comeback look like to you?

BA: St Louis needs to build on its momentum in the city. Areas like the Cortex, the Grove, Midtown and little pockets of downtown have all seen tremendous growth and investment over the years. The key to a comeback will be connecting those neighborhoods to attract young talent to come to the city. When that happens, large companies that are looking for those employees will follow.

RT: What leads do you look for?

BA: As an office broker, I focus on representing both tenants and landlords. Anyone who needs help figuring out their office lease, whether they are growing, shrinking, or renewing, is someone I can help.

RT: How can prospects contact you for more information?

BA: You can email me at balbers@NGZimmer.com or call me at 314.628.0439.

Property manager reminder: It’s all about maintenance

It’s budget season and conscientious building managers have likely had an inspection conducted as part of their due diligence. But what comes next when facility managers are facing a roof replacement or other large expenses when products begin nearing the end of their usable life?

Western Specialty Contractors offered some insight on assisting management professionals in evaluating strategies and tactics that they can use to make the most of their budgeting season.

“I think that it’s important to look back on previous years,” said Bob Gender, region manager at Western Specialty Contractors.

“Whether or not you’re a new or seasoned manager to a building, it’s important to look at past budgets and actual spending from previous years to determine how much you should put in your budget for the following year,” Gender said.

Gender notes that managers do not want to be faced with a huge variance in spending versus budget. Unforeseen situations like weather activity can’t be predicted but being able to look at historical spending on a building’s roof, for example, is an important factor to consider when compiling a budget.

Property managers are tasked with giving very detailed budget numbers to their building owners, but they are often lacking an important explanation or summary as to why a repair needs to be done.

“The best customer is an educated customer, so we work to explain the benefits of preventive maintenance. We just try and maintain that philosophy and our customers get it and their buildings are better for it,” said Gender.

Gender accedes that many times a building’s budget won’t allow a full expenditure, so a temporary solution will have to do until the budget can cover the full repair or replacement cost.

“What’s really important is explaining the consequences of deferring maintenance on your roof, or any part of the building. When you buy a car and defer maintenance, like not changing the oil or rotating the tires, the car will age prematurely and be more costly to repair down the road. The same analogy goes for building maintenance,” Gender said.

Owners who are going to sell a property in the near future may have different considerations when it comes to spending for items such as a new roof. While spending for maintenance might not increase the sales price of a building, not spending may cause an owner to have to sell the building at a discount later.

“If you’re on the seller’s side of a transaction, I think it’s in your best interest to get repairs completed before the sale,” said Gender. “Owners can either pay for repairs now or they’ll be paying for it later, in the sale price.”

Gender finds repairs to be a selling advantage, showing, for example, how an owner has taken care of the roof, like conducting annual roof inspections and having the recommended repairs completed. The same calculations go for the façade, the parking structure, or any other major maintenance areas of a building.

“I think being proactive is key in keeping future costs down, and hiring your preferred contractor to do annual inspections is just one way of being proactive. When you do it every year, it will not take as much time to inspect and the repairs will likely be less widespread, as well as less severe, saving your owner money. Whereas, if you do the inspections every five years, it becomes a game of catch up,” said Gender.

For help creating a building maintenance plan and detailed evaluations for ownership, contact the Western Specialty Contractors branch location nearest you: http://www.westernspecialtycontractors.com/western-locations/.

Vestal Corporation: Can't stop, won't stop

Covid-19 challenges over the last six months have not slowed down Vestal Corporation; in fact, you could say their business is thriving because of it.

Vestal’s Covid-19 response strategy bolstered the consulting firm’s ability to remain highly productive on current projects and significantly contributed to new project wins.

In response to the pandemic Vestal quickly made several strategic technology advancements, including its 2019 transition to MS Office365 that enabled team members to be well connected remotely via MS TEAMS. 

Additionally, Vestal increased its external bandwidth by 250% to accommodate an increase in remote team members and provided the Building Information Modeling “BIM” team with powerful desktop and notebook computers required to support high productivity remotely.

“Business doesn’t get easier or more forgiving during a pandemic. You adapt, get smarter, get stronger and find creative ways to achieve success,” said Mark Hubbs, principal | vice president of project development for Vestal.

Design backlog from major projects with Constellation Brands, AB InBev, Nestle Purina Petcare and Proctor and Gamble positioned Vestal well to navigate the market’s reaction to the pandemic. 

“While some design firms are turning to contract employees during the pandemic, Vestal has been well-positioned to add talent and expand its capabilities. We see a strong construction market on the horizon and are more prepared than ever before for the opportunities it will create, ” said Dale Carlton, principal | vice president of project management for Vestal.

Recent projects won by Vestal include a bio-diesel production facility in the metro-east (STL), storage facilities in Shrewsbury and Fenton (Mo.) and multiple projects for a high-purity chemical manufacturer in Earth City, Mo.

Vestal has also been very active in its pursuit of several mega projects schedule to start in the 4th quarter of 2020. 

These successes have led Vestal to add 14 new team members since March 2020 and its continued efforts to hire additional talent.

About Vestal Corporation: Vestal is an internationally-recognized, strategic partnering firm providing specialty architecture, multi-disciplinary engineering and construction consulting through its Integrated Project Design approach. 

St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station wins ENR project award

The St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station, constructed by McCarthy Building Companies, has earned top recognition in the “2020 Best Projects” competition, sponsored by ENR Midwest, the regional edition of national publication Engineering News-Record (ENR).

A panel of industry judges selected the aquarium as Best Project in the “Renovation/Restoration” category. The annual competition honors building teams for achievement in several areas including overcoming challenges and teamwork, safety, innovation & contributions to the industry, construction quality & craftsmanship and function & aesthetic quality of the design.

Built within the footprint of a 19th century iron umbrella train shed, the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station is a signature element of a $187-million redevelopment of the National Historic Landmark structure.

The 120,000-SF, two-story attraction brings together more than 13,000 animals, from 257 species, in 44 exhibits that provide visitors with immersive perspectives of underwater life in the world’s rivers, streams and oceans.

Using advanced technology and ingenuity, the construction team overcame formidable construction challenges while protecting and preserving the property’s original columns, footings, foundation, underground piping and other infrastructure.

Thirty-two “Best Projects” winners were selected from a list of 112 entries submitted from across the 10-state Midwest region. Winners will be featured in-depth in the December edition of ENR Midwest and honored at a virtual award event in December.

“The renovation/restoration and highway/bridge categories had some of the most competitive fields we have ever seen and most categories were difficult to winnow down to just one best project winner and award of merit,” noted ENR Midwest editor, Jeff Yoders, in the article announcing the winners.

For more details and to view the complete list of 2020 ENR Midwest Best Projects winners, visit https://www.enr.com/blogs/10-midwest-musings/post/50027-enr-midwest-selects-32-best-project-winners-for-2020

Brett Hull's sports restaurant skates into Wentzville

St. Louis Blues hockey legend Brett Hull has added his name to a new restaurant at The Junction of Wentzville, a 13,600 SF commercial development currently under construction in Wentzville, Mo.

Brett Hull’s Junction House, originally announced as Junction House in March, will be the centerpiece of the rapidly-growing development area and is slated to open in October 2020.

The multi-level eating and drinking establishment will occupy more than 9,400 SF including the main restaurant area, a large covered outdoor patio and a 1,500 SF open-air rooftop suitable for both public use and private events. All three areas of the restaurant will feature a full-service bar and seating for dining with special Brett Hull photos and memorabilia.

“We’ve been in talks with Brett Hull for about two years now and are absolutely thrilled to now have him come on board as a partner and add his name and the energy and excitement he brings to our already exciting venue,” said Keith Horneker, a local entrepreneur, restaurateur and Wentzville resident who developed the Junction House concept along with a group of five other St. Louisans with more than 20 years of combined experience in the local food and beverage industry.

“Having Brett involved has always been our long-term plan, and now we’ll also serve signature cocktails made with Brett’s very own Codigo brand; a super-premium tequila,” Horneker said.

“I’m excited to be part of such a great group and bring such a neat concept to the city of Wentzville,” said Brett Hull.

“As we bring our vision to life and share it with everyone in the community, I’m really happy I could help create jobs in these trying times. I can’t wait to relax out on the rooftop and enjoy some great food and many Codigo cocktails with the great people of Wentzville,” Hull said.

A new fitness gym called F45 Training Wentzville will occupy the remaining 3,000 SF of retail space in the new building and will be located adjacent to Brett Hull’s Junction House. It is also scheduled to open later in October 2020.

“Scoring the fourth most goals in NHL history, Brett is not only the best Blue we’ve ever had, but he’s one of the best to ever play in the NHL. Brett is a hero in our city and we want to prominently feature him throughout our establishment. Brett plans to be at the grand opening next month and plans to visit regularly with friends throughout the year. We’ll be announcing the grand opening date soon,” Horneker said.

Sullivan Bank is providing $4.3 million in construction financing for the project, which is being developed by LayneCo Construction Services. Patrick Wittenbrink of Carmody MacDonald P.C. is representing Horneker and his partners in the development.

Read MWM's previous article on The Junction development here: Restaurant and gym to anchor next phase of The Junction in Wentzville

St. Joseph's Academy gains $7.5 million in campus upgrades

St. Joseph’s Academy has completed more than 23,000 SF of campus enhancements at a cost of $7.5 million, including the new Weidert Center for Integrated Science and the Sisters of St. Joseph Humanities Hall.

The private, all-girls, Roman Catholic, college preparatory high school is located in Frontenac, Mo.

The new Weidert Center features 12,000 SF of renovated and upgraded science, engineering and technology lecture and laboratory spaces on the third floor of the main school building. It is named for Barbara Weidert, a 1947 graduate, whose estate made a $3.5 million gift to the school in 2018.

“The Weidert Center for Integrated Science offers a large and innovative new educational environment with state-of-the-art features and technology designed to help prepare our young women for STEM-related careers,” said Regina Mooney, president of St. Joseph’s Academy. 

“Now we can provide enhanced academic experiences and opportunities for the growing number of our students interested in engineering and related fields. We are very grateful for the overwhelming generosity of Barbara Weidert and many other dedicated donors of the SJA community for their help in making these 21st-century spaces a reality for our girls,” Mooney said.

The $3.5 million gift from the estate of Barbara Weidert is the largest single gift in St. Joseph’s Academy’s ’s 180-year history. This unrestricted gift also jump-started the school’s ongoing Expect More Capital Campaign for Every Girl supporting long-range plans to renovate and upgrade HVAC, windows and other instructional areas including a new Visual Arts Center and Studios on the school’s second floor which has been re-named The Sisters of St. Joseph Humanities Hall. 

A new Campus Ministry Center on the first floor puts St. Joseph’s Academy at the forefront of collaborative faith-filled learning. These projects include another 11,000 SF of renovation.

The school’s Expect More Capital Campaign has provided the construction funding for these campus enhancements and is also expanding scholarship support for qualified students of all backgrounds. These enhancements are part of the school’s plans to continue providing quality Catholic education and prepare young women with 21st century skills.

“These forward-looking investments prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s careers,” said Craig Hannick, St. Joseph’s Academy Board of Directors chair. 

“Reimagined and upgraded facilities advance our holistic education, preparing values-driven leaders, just as our founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph, envisioned 180 years ago,” Hannick said.

Construction of the new STEM education facility and visual arts center began in 2019 and was completed in time for the beginning of the Fall 2020 semester by project architect, Hastings & Chivetta and BSI Constructors, the general contractor.

To view a short video highlighting the new facilities, click here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDmwNVoq4HI&feature=youtu.be 

Kingsway Development's $13 million project set for October kick-off

Construction will begin next month on Kingsway Development’s mixed-use project, which includes 58,000 SF of new, high-energy retail, restaurant and office space, facilitated by the restoration and modernization of two classic St Louis buildings.

Approximately $13 million will be invested in a variety of office and retail within the two brick buildings in the Fountain Park neighborhood.

The location, adjacent to the historic Central West End, will also feature a brand-new, 10,000 SF performance venue with a courtyard that will play host to the outdoor functions of the new retail businesses and some special events.

Tenants for 4731 Delmar Blvd., the former Union-Sarah Economic Development Corp. Building, include Elevation (coworking space); Kingsway Development; Conversions Global Marketing; VIP Construction; TurnGroup Technologies; Hawktime LLC; Tammie Holland Public Relations; Wand USA, Inc; Park Central Development; Dream Builders 4 Equity; BRAND Foundation; UPS Store; The Original Hot Dog Factory; and pending tenant, Jamba Juice.

Tenants planned for next door at 4709 Delmar -a former 1920s candy factory- include a business training center, vegan restaurant and radio station, according to the developer.

“Buildings in this area have great bones, they have amazing detailing. It’s wonderful to see people bringing these buildings back to life. It keeps the history of the neighborhood alive," said Carl Karlen, AIA, CDT, LEED AP, design principal with Facet Architectural Design.

Other contractors on the project include Ameresco, Ballast CRE, Kwame Construction, Simms Building Group and ABNA Engineering.

Private-equity financing partners on the development include PACE financing, New Markets Tax Credits, Team: Carl Karlen of Facet Architectural Design, Chris Mazurek of Ameresco, Trivers, Ballast CRE, Kwame Construction, Simms Building Group and ABNA Engineering.

Just across the street the area continues to develop, with a $30 million, 150- apartment complex. The apartments are in the early stages of design by Trivers (architects), who is also designing the $7 million infrastructure improvements for the area.

Green Street announces 'The Oscar' mixed-use development

Green Street Development has purchased a 17.5 acre site to redevelop into a high-density, mixed-use development at the eastern side of Sheboygan, Wis.

Located at 1440 S. 16th St., “The Oscar” will join the current site of the Van Der Vaart Concrete Company, formerly known as the Oscar Zimbal Brick Co.

The Oscar will consist of 240 apartments, a new Kwik Trip and a 1.5-acre lot for future redevelopment. The multifamily portion will provide a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments across three buildings with underground, temperature-controlled and secured parking.

The Oscar is a workforce housing development and will offer all of the top amenities and features that are expected in a new Class-A, residential community - but with a discount to other new apartments in town.

Van Der Vaart is moving just south of the site, allowing for The Oscar development, but will remain a member of the Sheboygan Economic Community.

“Green Street and our community partners share a vision to transform this site into its highest and best use, creating a unique sense of place while continuing to support local industry,” said Joel Oliver, senior vice president of development for Green Street St. Louis.

The Oscar is the largest known housing development in the city of Sheboygan and Green Street’s largest multifamily project to date. Consistent with Green Street’s track-record of award-winning, urban projects, the intention for the overall development is to provide a neighborhood-like feel while integrating distinctive architectural features to establish an exceptional community.

“The Oscar brings a new choice in living to the Sheboygan area as demand for residential and mix-use development quickly grows. Rosemann is excited to design this distinctive community and looks forward to collaborating with Green Street and teaming up with its project partners, said Jarrett Cooper, vice president/studio director with Rosemann & Associates, P.C., St. Louis, who is the architect on the project.

Other project partners include general contractor, ARCO Construction and project engineer, Stock and Associates. Colliers International is providing the construction loan and BMO Harris is participating as an equity partner.

The first phase of The Oscar is scheduled to open in September 2021. 

KWK Architects shares evolving residence hall design trends

Residence hall design will evolve to reflect the current pandemic condition, according to the student housing design experts at KWK Architects.  

As universities and colleges look to design new residence halls after the current global health crisis, they will be challenged with how to safely house students while still providing for their social and academic development.

Social interactions have taken on a new normal – social distancing, limited-size gatherings and a responsibility to act in a manner that does not make someone else sick.

“Safety and security will be paramount for future students and their families, likely resulting in a desire for single-occupancy bedrooms in residence halls. Single bedroom units can provide a safe haven – a personal retreat where students can relax away from others,” said Sara Koester, principal at KWK Architects.

Koester stresses, though, that this configuration may be too isolating for a student away from home for the first time. Many residence halls are designed specifically to house freshmen; and studies have shown that freshmen students in double bedrooms with a roommate have a higher rate of retention. 

A “next best” bedroom design that will be considered is a double-bedroom designed as a “paired-single” unit – two singles side-by-side – with each occupant having furniture, a closet-operable window on “their side” and only necessarily shared elements, like a corridor door and mechanical unit/thermostat centrally located. The bedroom shape would be wide and shallow, allowing beds, desks and closets to be located further apart.

“The two sides can be marked with floor patterns and paint finishes to distinguish the two zones within the room. The two roommates will function as a ‘family unit’ since they are indeed sharing a room. These resident students will have experienced the pandemic in their formative years and can rely on their prior experiences to understand the importance of appropriate space boundaries,” said Koester.

New bathroom designs may favor a clustered single-use bath arrangement where private-use bathrooms - each containing a toilet, lavatory (sink) and shower - are located together. When grouped with a community lavatory area, this offers opportunities for socializing while still providing for privacy.

Two entrance/exit points to the facilities will allow for a one-way traffic pattern to be implemented when environmental health conditions warrant. The common lavatory area, with ample space between fixtures, will allow for ease of hand washing as well as a chance to chat with other residents while maintaining social distancing. New staff training and procedures will be required to ensure a constant (or at least much more frequent) cleaning cycle to safeguard the safety of all building users.

Social spaces, such as floor lounges and studies, will be sized and organized to allow for social distancing with distinct “stations” at appropriate intervals. Areas can be demarcated with floor patterns.

“Kitchen facilities should ideally be arranged for one-way circulation and appliances spaced to permit multiple work areas with adequate buffers between. Hand-washing stations should be ample and sufficiently spaced with accessories at each station,” said Koester.

“It has always been important to provide a variety of social spaces that allow for a range of activities – quiet to active and small group to large group – but now residence halls should consider including single-person study spaces where a resident may go to focus on studies or simply decompress in a private, safe zone.” 

Circulation spaces in residence halls will need to evolve. Entrances to buildings will need to be wider and feature multiple single entrance doors to avoid compressing residents as they enter the building. Lobbies should be large enough to allow for pedestrian flow to the elevators or stairs while social distancing, and elevators should be sized to accommodate multiple occupants at opposite corners.

Additional elevators may be needed to safely address reduced elevator capacity due to social distancing restrictions. Corridors will need to be of ample width and preferably feature small alcoves at regular intervals off the main hallway, with views to the exterior and perhaps a bench, that can serve as places to “step out” of the way and not be in the traffic flow. Doors to bedrooms should be located in recessed pockets off the corridor allowing one to transition into the main corridor flow. Air flow exchange and mechanical systems may need to be reevaluated with more frequent filter changes.

“While the program for outdoor spaces in residence hall design has always been important, this will take on a heightened importance in providing places where residents can go for relaxation and space-distant socializing, with individual areas articulated in the design of the hardscape, landscape and outdoor furniture. Individual outdoor activities, like hammocking and swings, can offer places to unwind, while outdoor terraces and patios can offer places for small groups to safely meet while social distancing,” said Koester.

With careful and thoughtful planning, residence hall design can balance environmental health concerns and living preferences of students and their families while fostering community and providing a nurturing environment.

_________________________________________________________________

About KWK Architects: Founded in 2013 by five architects with a combined 120 years of higher education knowledge and experience, KWK Architects partners with colleges and universities across the United States to create innovative and inspiring places that enhance campus life. Areas of expertise include student housing and dining, and academic and science/technology spaces. KWK Architects has completed more than $1 billion in construction-valued projects since its founding and currently employs a growing staff of 15 at its headquarters in Webster Groves, Mo.

CRE study prompts gender and diversity call to action

Last week CREW Network CEO, Wendy Mann, CAE, unveiled to CREW members via Zoom the findings of CREW’s 2020 Benchmark Study Report:  Gender and Diversity in Commercial Real Estate. 

CREW has conducted benchmark studies every five years commencing in 2005 to measure the progress of women in commercial real estate.  This year’s study introduced new questions to examine diversity, equity and inclusion and workplace culture. The study also gathered country-specific data for Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. 

In conducting the study, CREW partnered with the MIT Center for Real Estate. The study was conducted between January 2 and March 31; and 2,930 industry professionals across all commercial real estate sectors participated. 

The study revealed that women occupy 36.7% of the commercial real estate industry, and this percentage has remained fairly consistent over the past 15 years.

“There’s not ben a lot of adding in, we haven’t grown in terms of gender in the industry,” said Mann.

The study also revealed that even though the industry has not attracted more women, there have been some strides. More women occupy brokerage positions than ever before (29%), which represents a 6% increase from 2015. And, the percentage of women aspiring to C-suite positions (32%) rose by 4% since 2015.

“I think what’s really interesting and notable is that women under 40 were more likely than women over 40 to aspire to the C-suite based on the study. This is something we’re going to have to watch over the next few years,” said Mann.

The study also showed that women continue to be less likely to achieve the top positions at their companies than men. Women occupy only 9% of C-suite positions in commercial real estate.

The 2020 study confirmed that there still is a substantial compensation gap between women and men in the industry. Women earn 10% less than men in fixed base salaries. The study further revealed that the women who participated in the study overall earned 56% less than men in commissions and bonuses. The gaps for both base salaries and commissions and bonuses were even wider for Black, Asian and Hispanic/Latina women. 

Mann noted that in past studies, the data showed that women and men entering the industry start out at approximately the same compensation levels; however, the 2020 study revealed a 9% compensation gap at the entry level between genders. 

“Here we’re seeing for the first time a 9% gap in where men and women are starting out, and that is very disturbing. So that, for me, is going backwards instead of forward,” said Mann.

Mann noted that the gap widens as the industry professionals advance up the career ladder. The compensation gap between women and men is highest at the C-suite level (33%).

The 2020 report revealed that women’s career satisfaction and perceptions of success decreased to its lowest point in 15 years across all industry specializations, while men’s perception of success has continued to increase since 2010. 

Mann noted several possible reasons for women’s growing dissatisfaction with their careers. 

“If women are receiving lower pay, they feel like they have fewer opportunities for upward mobility and less access to leadership roles. They could be growing increasingly frustrated at being unable to reap the financial benefits of an industry where really the sky is the limit if you work hard and you have great opportunity and access,” Mann said.

Approximately 60% of the 2020 study respondents reported that their workplace is “not very” or “not at all” diverse. However, more than half of the respondents reported that they are beginning to see a culture shift within their companies regarding diversity, equity and inclusion, a result of mandates from leadership and external industry pressures.

“I think for a long time executive leadership in commercial real estate didn’t embrace diversity as a business advantage. But, we know now not just from our studies, but from other studies, that the inclusion of different people based on gender, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation is a business advantage, and that to increase diversity, equity and inclusion, leaders need to continue to understand what the issues are that we revealed in this study, and we need to resolve them. This is no longer a ‘nice to have’ or it’s a ‘good thing to do’ —it’s a business imperative,” said Mann.

Mann said that the findings of 2020 study, which revealed almost no progress for women or Black, indigenous and people of color in the commercial real estate industry, are a call to action. 

“Here’s your call to action leaders of companies. The fish rots from the head down. If you are at the top of the organization and not committed, it’s not going to happen. Top leaders must be invested, involved, measured and held accountable for diversity, equity and inclusion in a company,” said Mann.

Mann concluded by asking those who are not the company leaders to share the study with company leaders, human resource officers and fellow employees. 

“Make this a point of conversation throughout the company,” Mann said.

The study can be found in its entirety under the Industry Research tab at www.crewnetwork.org.

The Opus Group embarks on 13.5-acre industrial site in Earth City

Castle Contracting has begun earthwork and site utilities installation on a 13.5-acre, two-building industrial development for The Opus Group in Earth City, Mo.

The St. Louis suburb site offers easy access to I-70 and Highway 141 and will include two warehouses - one speculative - the other for Johnstone Supply's new office headquarters and distribution center.

Johnstone Supply, an HVAC equipment and parts supplier, plans to occupy four acres of the site to support the company's plans to centralize operations, further establish its presence in the St. Louis area and hire additional employees.

Opus' custom-designed, 10,000-SF office space will feature a working lab and training center where the company will provide hands-on certification training for St. Louis County mechanical licensees. The distribution center will occupy the remaining 35,000 SF.

The remaining 9.5 acres will include an 111,000-SF speculative industrial building, built to accommodate multiple tenants. The spec building will feature 32-foot clear height, 27 dock positions (including two drive-in positions) and clerestory windows to maximize natural light and wall space.   

Completion of the speculative industrial building is scheduled for May 2021; the Johnstone Supply headquarters is set for a February 2021 completion date.

Drake's to open soon in O'Fallon

Chesterfield, Mo-based general contractor, Knoebel Construction has completed the first Drake’s in the St. Louis region and the state of Illinois.

The Kentucky-based restaurant chain, which doubles as an entertainment venue, is set to open on September 21, 2020 at 1160 Central Park in O’Fallon, Ill.

The 6,014-SF, indoor/outdoor eatery was scheduled to open in May 2020 but ran into delays due to COVID-19, limiting the number of construction workers on site.

Knoebel coordinated with the owner and subcontractors and incorporated 3-D imaging and other online project management tools to continue construction and see the project to completion.

“This was a formidable build for Knoebel due to the COVID-19 restrictions and concerns, but we were able through constant vigilance and safety measures to complete construction on time and in budget,” said Bryon Muir, director of business development with Knoebel.

Drake's offers a unique combo of (over 20) craft beers, burgers, sandwiches and a full sushi menu served in a lively, contemporary indoor and outdoor patio space.

“Drake’s is a fast-growing chain of restaurants headquartered in Lexington, KY that promises great food and a great time, but along with that they have a great building. The woodwork and overall design is very intricate and, although it presented a challenge, it was enjoyable and we’re very proud of completing something that is not your everyday bar and grill, but a restaurant unique to St. Louis,” Muir said.

Knoebel Construction has also been selected as the general contractor for upcoming locations in Louisville, Ky. and Evansville, Ind. Other partners on the O’Fallon Drake’s include architect, Ken Brown at Design +; MEP design by Case Engineering, Inc.; and civil engineering by Millennia Professional Services.

Drake’s has 15 locations across the midwest and southeast.

Lofts at the HUPP redevelopment begins on historic west downtown site

Construction began last month on the $21.5 million redevelopment of a former TireMart property - originally a Huppmobile dealership - on the downtown west historic automobile row, located at 1815 Locust Street in St. Louis, Mo.

When complete in August 2021, the new, three-story multifamily property will house 70 units consisting of one- and two-bedroom apartments. 

The 115,317-SF historic rehab project will include interior and exterior parking, solar panels on the roof, a clubroom and a fitness center.

Ebersoldt + Associates, the architect on the project, has given a nod to the original building design elements by incorporating sealed concrete floors, exposed concrete ceilings and exterior masonry walls, and large, historic aluminum windows that will allow for plenty of natural light.  

The project developer, Screaming Eagle Development, LLC, was issued approval by the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority of St. Louis County (LCRA) for two, five-year tax abatements.

"We are very excited to redevelop this property in the downtown west neighborhood. We identified this property two and a half years ago. It has been a long process to get here; but given what the building has shown us so far, the final product will be a beautiful asset to the community," said Matthew Masiel, principal with Screaming Eagle Development.

The project is slated to receive a five-year tax abatement based on 90 percent of the assessed value of incremental improvements; followed by another five-year tax abatement based on 70 percent of the assessed value of incremental improvements.

Other partners on the project include general contractor, Pinnacle Contracting, Inc. and lenders Gershman Investment Corp. and Midwest Regional Bank.

At the time of acquisition, the property was appraised at $1.1 million by the City of St. Louis.

STL Regional Freightway launches new real estate site map

The St. Louis Regional Freightway has launched the expanded Featured Real Estate Sites Map section of its website, which highlights a wealth of information about the bi-state St. Louis region’s growing real estate market with its abundance of warehouse/distribution buildings and land sites ready for all types of industrial and corporate users.

The new tool is another offering from the St. Louis region’s go-to source for coordinating freight activity, which is committed to providing up-to-date information for the entire industrial market as it works to provide both marketing for active sites and accurate listings for interested parties.

The Featured Real Estate Sites Map section at www.thefreightway.com/real-estate/ provides a unique look at the region and pulls data from both the Illinois and Missouri sides of the Mississippi River, spanning from the City of St. Louis to multiple surrounding counties in the bi-state area, including opportunities at two airports.

“The goal is to collaborate between municipalities, counties, and cities in the St. Louis region and market the entire St. Louis MSA as an active, business-focused, growth-ready region primed for further industrial development,” said Mary Lamie, head of the St. Louis Regional Freightway and executive vice president of Multi Modal Enterprises at Bi-State Development.

The St. Louis Regional Freightway site is tracking 37 sites with more than 8,000+ acres available for development. These sites are actively updated with site information, pricing changes, and accurate contact information to make it easy for anyone searching for potential operation locations.

Data is compiled through communication with brokers and developers around the region and also from third party property databases. The website is regularly updated and is provided without cost to property owners, brokers and developers

Sites included on the website must all meet the following criteria: the developable land is 20 acres or larger; the site is being actively marketed; existing structures are modern bulk buildings (minimum 24’ clear height); the location has access to a major transportation highway, rail spur (or rail potential), seaport access, or runway access; and, lastly, entitlements and utilities must be in place.

The sites are all located in the bi-state St. Louis region, which is becoming increasingly recognized as business focused and perfectly situated to help companies both large and small, seeking a single location with global access. The region is suited for operations ranging from a global headquarters to manufacturing operations to distribution hubs to call centers or service centers at a cost-effective level. It allows companies to find the right spots for every branch of their company in a single region while having a global reach. The abundance of developable land makes it easy to get a site selected, construction started and operations commenced.

“St. Louis not only has the places and the people that companies need to grow but also all has the logistical advantages of being in the middle of it all, which allows easy access to their supply chain,” said said Allison Gray, vice president, Steadfast City Economic & Community Partners. “The Real Estate section of the St. Louis Regional Freightway website is the best spot to find all of the up-to-date information for industrial sites across the entire region.”

While the website will be regularly updated with new sites as they are announced, the following is a summary of the newest sites added prior to the launch of the expanded website:

• Mid America Commerce Center – New industrial park in O’Fallon, Ill., developed by TriStar Cos. with more than 200 acres of developable land for warehouse/distribution buildings ranging from 25,000 SF to 710,000 SF with a possible 10-year tax abatement.

• Dupo Real Estate & Development Sites – Dupo, Ill., offers multiple sites for commercial and industrial development and is located at a primary east-west rail corridor serving the nation’s third largest rail hub. Sites range from 10 acres – 200 acres.

• Hartford Logistics Park – Located in Madison County, Ill., this park offers nearly 400 acres of land available for built-to-suit projects for buildings up to ±1.5M with potential rail access. 

• Earth City Industrial Sites – The Earth City, Mo. submarket is a large industrial hub of nearly 3,000 acres of industrial construction. Links to 8 new site listings were recently added to the Earth City section.

• Wentzville I-70/I-64 Real Estate Sites – Wentzville, MO, is the location of the GM Wentzville Assembly Plant and is at the intersection of Interstate 70 and Interstate 64. Highly desirable buildings and land sites are available ranging from 18 acres – 50 acres. 

Check out these sites and the other bi-state St. Louis sites at the St. Louis Regional Freightway’s website:  www.thefreightway.com/real-estate/

Opus chips in on the 2020 industrial market boom

The Opus Group is chipping in on the ever-expanding 2020 industrial market, this time in Earth City, Mo.

Johnstone Supply, a leader in the HVACR industry, will anchor their new headquarters and distribution center on four acres of the 13.5-acre development. Construction of their 45,000-SF space is scheduled to begin this month.

“Our team has been grateful to work with Opus throughout this process and we’re eager to see this project through to completion. Our new building allows us to expand our business, offer additional educational training courses and bring new jobs to the community," said Larry Wines with Johnstone Supply.

Upon opening, Johnstone Supply will occupy 10,000 SF for the company’s headquarters, which will include a training room and product showroom. Centralizing these facilities under one roof will allow the company to further establish its presence in the St. Louis area.

“Our team identified this location as one of the last developable sites in Earth City. Through the expertise of our integrated team and strong broker relationships, we’ve been able to work closely with St. Louis County to develop a modern industrial building that will meet the demand for local, regional and national industrial users," said Ryan Carlie, director of real estate development at Opus.

Opus also plans to begin construction this month on an 111,000-SF speculative industrial development on the remaining 9.5 acres. 

The addition will accommodate multiple tenants, offering 139 parking stalls, 32-foot clear height, 27 dock positions, including two drive-in positions, and clerestory windows. With immediate access to Interstate 70 and directly off of state Route 141, this project offers accessibility and external visibility.

Opus is the developer, design-builder, and architect and engineer of record. Jake Corrigan and Vince Bajardi with Sansone Group will be marketing the project for lease.

Construction on both buildings is expected to be complete in early 2021.

Construction of $1.9 billion Allegiant Stadium achieves certificate of occupancy

The Mortenson | McCarthy joint venture has received a certificate of occupancy on Allegiant Stadium, the new home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders and notably the largest entertainment venue in Las Vegas.

The joint venture team wrapped up the $1.97 billion facility on July 30, marking the end of a successful 31-month-long construction schedule, a mere forty months after the NFL’s approval of the Raiders’ move to Las Vegas. With this milestone reached, Allegiant Stadium’s operations team will move into their new facility to begin preparations for the venue’s first event.

The 1.8 million-SF stadium will also host UNLV football and a variety of other sporting and non-sporting events. The facility features 65,000 seats, a retractable natural turf field, large operable walls that open to spectacular views of the Las Vegas strip, a translucent roof and a variety of premium spaces throughout all levels.

As the design-build contractor responsible for Allegiant Stadium’s design and construction, Mortenson and McCarthy led a team comprised of more than 200 firms; including engineers, subconsultants, trade contractors, and vendors and partnered with the Raiders organization, owner’s representative CAA ICON, designer MANICA Architecture and the project’s design team which includes architect HNTB and engineers Arup, Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. and Kimley Horn.

Visually inspired by the sleek and gradual curves of a futuristic luxury vehicle, Allegiant Stadium is unlike any other venue, making it an architectural and engineering marvel. The unique features of the domed stadium include the cable net truss system used for the roof. The seven-acre ETFE roof is suspended by 100 stainless steel cables that create the light-weight roof structure diaphragm.

Meeting the challenge to provide the Raiders with a real grass field in the desert, the building also features a retractable field system. Weighing nearly 20 million pounds, the playing field is housed in a movable “tray” and moves on 540 electrically-powered wheels, which allows the natural grass field to move outdoors for sunlight and water. This feature provides the stadium with both natural grass or turf playing surfaces.

The Mortenson and McCarthy duo made worker safety a priority throughout construction and in doing so achieved a remarkable safety record with a total recordable incident rate (TRIR) of 0.98, which is less than one-third the national average. More than 12,000 individuals contributed to the project’s design and construction.

Workforce and business inclusion were at the forefront of building Allegiant Stadium. The project exceeded all small and diverse business goals, with 23% awarded to small businesses and 62% of the workforce being minority and female.

From the procurement process to training opportunities and student tours exciting the next generation of builders, efforts were focused on the Las Vegas local community. More than six million labor hours went in to constructing the project and an estimated 6,000 recurring jobs will be sustained or created to maintain venue operations.

Elite Printing & Packaging moves to Hazelwood TradePort

Elite Printing & Packaging is making plans to relocate to Hazelwood TradePort, a new construction space being built by Brinkmann Constructors at 1601 TradePort Dr. in Hazelwood, Mo.

The move will be an upgrade for the one-stop packaging solutions provider, who is currently located in Wentzville, Mo. The NorthPoint Development warehouse will not only be larger at 124,952-SF, but also more centrally-located —two criteria the owners are in need of.

Timothy C. Convy, CPM and Brian G. Kelley with Avison Young | St. Louis exclusively represented the tenant, Elite Printing & Packaging.

“They made one of the most important decisions in our companies history go smoothly from start to finish. We are very appreciative of Tim and Brian from Avison Young for their guidance, ethics and integrity. We would highly recommend them for all of your companies commercial needs," said Elite Printing & Packaging president, Michael Sloan.

Elite Printing and Packaging has over forty years combined experience in the printing and packaging industry, with an emphasis on the sports nutrition/beauty, pet and health industries.

“We are pleased to provide Elite Printing & Packaging a fantastic solution for their real estate needs. Even with the challenges presented in the St. Louis market, we were able to come to favorable terms with NorthPoint Development to create a dynamic opportunity for our client," said Kelley.

About Avison Young: Avison Young is headquartered in Toronto, Canada and comprises approximately 5,000 real estate professionals in 120 offices in 20 countries. The firm’s experts provide value-added, client-centric investment sales, leasing, advisory, management and financing services to clients across the office, retail, industrial, multifamily and hospitality sectors.