The 111 East Grand multi-tenant, mixed-use building is the first in Iowa to feature mass timber construction, which relies on – and exposes – solid and/or engineered wood for load-bearing rather than steel or concrete. Now in its third phase of development, the sustainable four-story, wood showcase will cater to the growing East Village area with high-end retail space on the first floor and three levels of Class A office space.

In addition to providing a unique and appealing environment for tenants and their customers, the developer’s goals are to maximize the visual impact of the timber construction, provide flexible spaces for future tenants and adhere to budgetary requirements.

Baker Group was contracted to seamlessly integrate a multitude of services into the mass timber construction:

• Design-Build Mechanical
• Design-Build Electrical
• HVAC Systems
• Plumbing Systems
• Electrical Systems
• Building Automation
• Fire Alarm System
• Security System
• Site Utilities - Plumbing
• Site Utilities – Electrical
• Lighting
• Foundation Excavation

Before construction began, Baker Group worked in close collaboration with the owner and general contractor to provide extensive building information modeling (BIM) for these systems, which pinpointed exact locations of wood penetrations. We are also adding value to the project by prefabricating system components and assemblies in our Advanced Manufacturing facility, which allows us to expedite schedules, reduce labor costs and provide just-in-time delivery of materials. 

Effective and highly responsive communication and coordination among services and project partners are essential to a project of this complexity, and the owner and general contractor chose Baker Group to be their single point of contact. The project is scheduled to be complete in spring 2019.