Wintergreen Industrial, Phase I

Summarize the project's program, features and achievements?

Wintergreen Industrial Phase I, an 800,000-square-foot Class-A industrial facility in Lancaster, Texas, serves as a key distribution hub for Best Buy, significantly boosting the retailer's logistics capacity in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Developed by Crow Holdings and designed by Azimuth Architecture, this state-of-the-art project $104 million investment. It includes 15,000 square feet of office space, advanced employee amenities, dedicated recycling areas, and electric vehicle charging stations, reinforcing Best Buy's commitment to sustainability.

The facility features 132 fully-equipped loading docks, 250 trailer parking spots, and sophisticated climate control systems utilizing 44 air-handling units, radiant heaters, and HVLS fans for employee comfort. Its advanced safety features include laser-lit walkways and high-level security measures. Architecturally notable, the exterior showcases Best Buy's corporate identity through a striking two-tone grey facade with blue accents, complemented by a distinctive corner canopy system and extensive sunshades.

The project spurred significant local economic growth, creating over 125 jobs with competitive salaries. Major infrastructure enhancements were necessary, including extensive utility upgrades and roadway expansions, bringing substantial long-term value to Lancaster. The successful completion required exceptional collaboration among construction, financial, and design teams to meet stringent budget and schedule constraints, delivering the facility precisely aligned with Best Buy's operational timeline and community impact goals.

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

The Wintergreen project overcame substantial challenges related to schedule, budget, and site complexities. The tight 13-month schedule required simultaneous interior steel erection and exterior panel installation, demanding precise coordination among multiple trades. Budget constraints required proactive planning, and extensive infrastructure work, including a three-lane roadway reconstruction and utility installations crossing railroad right-of-ways, posed significant logistical hurdles.

Site preparation involved extensive demolition and major grading efforts to address uneven terrain and elevation variances, including substantial limestone excavation. Additionally, limited site access via a three-lane road complicated logistics, necessitating careful scheduling of material deliveries and worker access. Through diligent coordination and innovative construction sequencing, these significant challenges were effectively managed, allowing the project to achieve timely completion without budget overruns or schedule delays.

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

The Wintergreen project involved innovative engineering strategies, notably altering the standard tilt-wall construction sequence to meet an aggressive schedule. Interior structural steel was erected prior to exterior concrete panels, allowing parallel construction phases that significantly expedited overall completion.

The site's geological challenges required substantial excavation of limestone, approximately ten feet in depth, to achieve proper grading for the tilt-wall panel placement. Panel design complexity was further enhanced by architectural features including integrated sunshade systems and a visually distinctive canopy incorporating perforated metal mesh panels and advanced lighting, which required careful coordination between structural engineers and architects.

Additionally, rigorous safety standards and precision scheduling were essential due to concurrent construction activities. Bob Moore Construction maintained rigorous safety protocols, including daily inspections, intensive superintendent oversight, and a strictly enforced three-strike policy to manage the complexity and ensure worker safety throughout the project's unique construction sequence.