CHICAGO — Chicago-based Reed Illinois Corp. is acting as general contractor for a 28,000-square-foot build-out of the Illinois Institute of Art, which is located within The Mart Center at 350 N. Orleans in Chicago. The project includes construction of enhanced classrooms, private offices, lecture halls, restroom facilities and corridor upgrades. The Illinois Institute of Art is expanding to 16,000 square feet of space within the first floor of The Mart Center. Scott Pickands of Reed Illinois is overseeing construction of the project; Atul Karkhanis Architects has provided architectural services for the project. The estimated cost of completion was not disclosed.
COCONUT CREEK, FLA. — Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.-based Stiles Construction Co. has commenced construction on Junior Achievement World’s 59,500-square-foot Huizenga Center, located on Broward College’s north campus in Coconut Creek. The center, which will be completed next year, will help Junior Achievement of South Florida educate 50,000 K-12 students a year in economic matters. The property will serve as the organization’s headquarters, house two new programs, JA BizTown and JA Finance Park, and include training and meeting space.
MEQUON, WIS. — Butler, Wis.-based Berghammer Construction Corp. has begun work on a 27,700-square-foot worship facility for Christ Church in Mequon. The two-story building, which will be located at the southeast corner of Bonniwell and Port Washington roads, will seat approximately 400 people. Classroom and other community amenities will also be housed at the facility. Construction is slated for completion in May 2009.
STOCKTON, CALIF. — University of the Pacific has completed the development of The University Center, the campus’ first green building, which is slated to open in August. Designed by San Francisco-based Gensler, the two-story, 55,000-square-foot building will serve as the campus’ gathering place and dining facility. Situated along the Calaveras River, the facility features a two-story entry atrium, wireless Internet, a full-service pub, entertainment venues, high-tech meeting rooms and a gaming room. The project, which is seeking LEED Silver certification, also features retractable skylights, daylight sensors, large windows and doors for natural lighting and cooling; a mixed-mode heating and air conditioning system for natural ventilation; and various water-saving components, including dual-flush toilets and dishwashers that function with a minimum amount of water usage. The $38 million center was funded in part by donations, bonds, and operating and reserve funds. Milpitas, Calif.-based Devcon Construction Inc. served as general contractor for the project.
LAKELAND, FLA. — Thomas D. Wood & Co.’s Doug Rozzell has secured a fixed-rate $3.2 million loan through a national financial institution for the 14,212-square-foot Lakeland Social Security Administration Building, located at 550 Commerce Dr. in Lakeland. The 6.8 percent, 10-year loan comes with a 20-year amortization and a 97 percent loan-to-cost rate.
WOOD DALE, ILL. — Cushman & Wakefield has arranged the sale of a 110,000-square-foot building located at 300 Bauman Ct. in Wood Dale. Devry Inc. has acquired the facility from Quadrangle for an undisclosed amount. The additional space will supplement Devry’s existing operation in Naperville, Ill., and constitutes an expansion of the school’s online operation. Ned Franke of Cushman & Wakefield represented the buyer; Susan Rosen, also of Cushman & Wakefield, represented the seller in the transaction.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS — Speed Fab-Crete, in its role as general contractor, has commenced construction of the $5.27 million Dale Keeling Field House for the Everman Independent School district in Fort Worth. The 24,100-square-foot building will be located at Everman Senior High School. It will house facilities for the school’s football teams, including player weight rooms, locker rooms, showers, an equipment room, a film room, a laundry room, and offices for the athletic director and his assistants. Completion is scheduled for spring 2009. Design services are being provided by locally based Callahan & Freeman Architects.
WACO, TEXAS — The city of Waco has held the grand opening for the new Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce Building, located at 101 S. Third St. The $4 million project totals 13,916 square feet over two stories. Also, it is striving for LEED-Gold certification and, upon designation, will be the first certified green building in Waco and the first green chamber of commerce building in the nation. Waco-based RBDR Architects designed the project, with Waco-based Barsh Construction Co. serving as general contractor. The chamber building is part of a three-block, $75 million mixed-use project currently being developed by Waco Town Square Partners. The project will contain residential, retail and office components, as well.
ROMEOVILLE, ILL. — PSA-Dewberry, acting as designer, has broken ground on Romeoville’s 118,480-square-foot municipal center. The police station and village hall will be linked within the facility by a central meeting area, the village boardroom, as well as other community meeting and conference rooms. Accommodating city departments that are currently located in six separate facilities, the new building is slated for completion in 2010. PSA-Dewberry has designed a 60-foot limestone tower for the entrance, which will be a new civic symbol for the community. The project cost is estimated at $46 million.
LAKEWOOD, N.J. — Construction is underway for the Special Children’s Center, which is located at 501 Prospect St. in Lakewood. The $1.5 million, state-of-the-art facility is designed to initially house 28 children with special needs who are currently enrolled in the Special Children’s Center respite and support programs. Designed pro-bono by Lloyd Rosenberg of DMR Architects, the 10,000-square-foot facility will feature five state-of-the-art classrooms, therapy rooms, bathing facilities, administrative offices, an indoor playground and an auditorium. Once complete, the center will assist people from ages 3 to 21 who have cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism and other special needs. The facility was developed in conjunction with Ralph Zucker of Somerset Development, the building committee chairman for the center. Completion is slated for January 2009.