Kyle 35 Logistics Park

Summarize the project's program, features and achievements?

Kyle 35 Logistics Park is a 1.4 million SF, five building, Class A industrial park located in Kyle, TX. The project features rear load and cross-dock configurations, 36' to 40' clear heights and expansive truck and automobile parking. Building sizes range from 140,300 SF to 474,397 SF. When it was proposed a couple of years ago, the development was billed as the first-ever speculative project of at least 1 million square feet in the region between Austin and San Antonio — although that threshold now includes several other projects as the area continues to grow. Construction started in June 2022.

Buildings consist of a structural steel frame with slab on grade. The exterior design is comprised of vertical and horizontal articulation, a decorative formliner, canopies/sunshades, and two-story glazing at the entry locations.

Kyle 35 is located along I-35 with convenient access to Austin, San Marcos, New Braunfels and San Antonio. The project recently won Austin Business Journal's Industrial Development of the Year Award, along with Largest lease signed in the Central Texas region. Tesla leased over 1 million SF across four of the five buildings.

What obstacles were overcome related to the schedule, budget, program, specification, site, etc. on this project?

We initially projected pouring 10,000 cubic yards of concrete per week. However, local suppliers could only guarantee approximately 2,400 cubic yards per week. This significant discrepancy necessitated a re-evaluation of our construction timeline and coordination to avoid delays. The central Texas market experienced consistent labor shortages throughout the project's duration. This required us to implement flexible work schedules, engage additional subcontractors, and employ innovative construction methods to maintain progress. The project encountered sharp escalations in the prices of key materials such as concrete, rebar, fuel, and roofing. These increases were particularly challenging given the project's scale, amplifying the impact of volatile market conditions. The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) did not allow heavy construction traffic on completed asphalt roads, requiring us to resequence our work. We completed the road subgrade first, using it as a pathway for heavy traffic before applying the asphalt layers. The building construction was rephased to meet tenant early access requests, ensuring their needs were met without disrupting overall project timelines. The presence of Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) power transmission lines running perpendicular to the site required additional coordination for crane paths and panel erection. This was managed through detailed planning and frequent communication with LCRA.

Please communicate any engineering complexities or unique features of the panel design for this project?

Project is in an Overlay District which required several architectural elements to be incorporated. Standalone thin concrete panels are utilized to create a rhythm to break the building line. The Corner entry spandrels are supported by a column and the adjacent panel to maximize the two-story glazing.

What is the potential for this project's impact on the community and/or environment?

It is estimated that the development could bring 1,500 jobs in one of the fastest growing counties in all of Texas.