Fifteen buildings, 2.2 million sf, 3,406 beds, spread across 47 acres. If the scale of the new Park West student housing development at Texas A&M University does not impress, then the pace of work just might. This massive project, built under a public-private partnership, was completed in just two years, much of it ahead of the original schedule.
The team employed a fast-track design-build delivery method that synchronized design with construction (sequenced east to west on the project site) to compress the overall schedule. Using this approach, combined with prefabrication techniques and Lean construction strategies, the project team determined that it could complete half of the flats buildings—representing 120 units, 216 beds—one year ahead of schedule (fall 2016). The second row of flats (216 beds) was turned over six months early (January 2017). This allowed the client, student housing development and property management firm Servitas, to open a sizable portion of the development early for leasing opportunities to Texas A&M students.
To further support leasing efforts, the project team modeled 1.4 million sf of the Park West development in a virtual environment. This allowed prospective tenants to take VR tours of the units and building amenities before construction was completed. The VR model also assisted with client decision making and advanced coordination among the various subcontractors, including structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing.
Located on the west side of campus, adjacent to the football stadium, Park West is designed as a self-contained community, with four shuttle bus stops, a convenience store, coffee shop, and a host of amenities: three pools, a jogging trail, three fitness centers, 50+ study lounges, and pet-friendly living. The centerpiece is a 50,000-sf rooftop lounge and deck, with a football field-sized pool, hot tub, and cabanas.
The team partnered with Texas A&M’s engineering and construction services departments to educate students on the project, by hiring interns, offering on-site learning, and guest speaking in the classroom.
“I had a vision that needed to be completed in a very small window of time to meet the demand Texas A&M University had for its growing student population,” says Rafael Figueroa, CEO, Servitas. “Weitz was the only firm with which I felt comfortable entrusting my company’s reputation, and they executed to perfection.”
More than 200 units were completed six months to a year ahead of the original schedule using prefabrication and Lean construction techniques. Jim Joham.
Building Team – Submitting firm, general contractor The Weitz Company Owner Servitas Architect PGAL Structural engineer SCA Consulting Engineers Mechanical, plumbing engineer Kilgore Industries Electrical engineer Power Design
General Information — Size 2.2 million sf Construction cost $252 million Construction time August 2015 to July 2017 Delivery method Design-build
Return to the 2018 Building Team Awards Landing Page
Related Stories
Building Team Awards | May 22, 2018
LA's game changer: Wilshire Grand Center
Silver Award: This billion-dollar mixed-use tower will alter the Los Angeles skyline in more ways.
Building Team Awards | May 21, 2018
Campus builder: Everett University Center at Washington State University
Silver Award: WSU kicks off its new branch campus with a high-tech innovation center designed to engage students, businesses, and the community.
Building Team Awards | May 18, 2018
Prognosis: Positive: Rutgers University-Camden Nursing and Science Building
Gold Award: Can a new nursing school breathe life into America’s third-poorest city?
Building Team Awards | May 17, 2018
Patient priorities: Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center
Gold Award: Cleveland Clinic’s new cancer center is a transparent, collaborative hub for improved patient experiences and enhanced communication with caregivers.
Building Team Awards | May 16, 2018
Game, set, match: United States Tennis Association National Campus
Gold Award: With 100 courts and more than 260,000 sf of vertical construction, the USTA National Campus is a sanctuary for tennis enthusiasts.
Building Team Awards | May 15, 2018
High court, big impact: San Diego Central Courthouse
Gold Award: San Diego’s high-rise courthouse increases access to justice for citizens by consolidating 71 court departments.
Building Team Awards | May 14, 2018
Sweat equity marks landscaping effort
The design was grounded in therapeutic landscape and environmental psychology theory.
Building Team Awards | May 14, 2018
Rethinking prison design: Iowa Correctional Institution for Women
Platinum Award: Iowa's new women's correctional institution offers a revolutionary model for rehabilitating female inmates.
Building Team Awards | May 14, 2018
Dream delivered: McCormick Square Marriott Marquis and Wintrust Arena
Platinum Award: A daring hotel and sports development in Chicago’s South Loop aims to invigorate the city’s convention business.
Building Team Awards | Jun 14, 2017
17 projects earn BD+C's 2017 Building Team Awards
Of the 17 projects, one received a Platinum Award, six received Gold Awards, six received Silver Awards, two received Bronze Awards, and two received Honorable Mentions.