Premier Design Breaks Ground on Illinois Distribution Facility

By Roxana Baiceanu

Groundbreaking of Okabe Complex, Grayslake, Ill.

Premier Design + Build Group started work at Okabe complex, a 133,951-square-foot distribution facility in Grayslake, Ill. The property will serve as the new North American headquarters for OCM Inc. and Okabe Inc. The two subsidiaries of the Japanese company Okabe Ltd. are relocating from Vernon Hills, Ill. Bridge Development Partners is the developer of the project and Cornerstone Architects is responsible for the design.

“This project is a historic milestone in the 100-year history of OCM Inc. and Okabe Inc. Upon completion of this project, OCM Inc. will have the opportunity to further expand our business in the concrete forming and accessory business all over North America,” said OCM’s President Andy Cramer, in prepared remarks.

Office and warehouse mix

The Okabe complex will be a steel and glass building featuring precast wall panels and a ballasted roofing system. It will consist of an office component and a warehouse section. The office section will include a lobby, an open office space as well as several cubicles, a conference room, private and executive offices, break rooms, a showroom, training room, IT office, a fitness room and a coffee bar.

The distribution component will feature 10 exterior docks, three truck dock positions and two drive-in doors, and a parking lot accommodating more than 200 vehicles. The property will be built on a 22-acre lot that can be easily reached from Interstate 94.

Strong partnership

The team responsible for the delivery of the project is made up of Premier’s Vice President Mark Melone together with Senior Project Manager Chris Kiziak and Superintendent John Semenek. Swift Structural Design and Manhard Consulting Ltd. are providing the engineering support. Colliers International and Cushman & Wakefield are representing the developer and the owner of the facility in the agreement.

Premier and Bridge have teamed up for a number of projects in Illinois, including two distribution buildings in Schiller Park and a freezer facility in Northlake.

Image courtesy of Premier Design + Build Group