PREMIER Design + Build Group unveils state-of-the-art 626,848 sq. ft. tenant build-out in Waukegan

Waukegan, a north suburb of Chicago on the western shore of Lake Michigan, welcomes tourists. It’s a great vacation spot for those who love to fish or boat and is home to museums and restaurants galore.

However, business growth and a renewed commitment to industry has made Waukegan an ideal destination for tenants looking to move into facilities that cater specifically to today’s sophisticated end users. Known in the industry as a leader in the construction of modern industrial buildings, PREMIER Design + Build Group, LLC was tapped to design + build a 626,848 sq. ft. tenant build-out to welcome the nation’s top ecommerce player, to the city.

The new tenant facility is tailor-made for a world-class logistics company that will fulfill millions of orders and features flexible configurations to keep up with changing demand. The fulfillment center resides on the grounds of Bridge Point North, a massive 240-acre business park at Route 43 and McGaw Rd., providing excellent access to I-94 and the Tri-State Tollway, one of the busiest business corridors in Illinois. That also positions the building roughly 32 miles away from O’Hare International Airport, one the country’s biggest airports.

“We have enjoyed working with the city of Waukegan,” said PREMIER vice-president Joe Aherns. “They have been instrumental in moving this project along.”

“PREMIER is grateful for each and every opportunity to work with Bridge Development Partners. Their ability to identify opportunities that others don’t readily see is remarkable. Additionally, we are honored to have had the opportunity to build this fulfillment center for a giant in the ecommerce industry. PREMIER has a great deal of experience in understanding what industrial tenants are seeking in modern distribution facilities and we were confident we would deliver an end product they would be proud to call home. This has been an exciting project from day one.”

The tenant will likely hire a minimum of 100 full-time employees. It will be able to draw from a skilled workforce from the surrounding area. Waukegan is part of Lake County, a with a population of 703,000-plus people.

The structure features office space and a state-of-the-art fulfillment center. The 16,121 sq. ft. office section features an inviting entrance, a security desk, waiting area, training space, new mother’s room, resource center, storage space and all the other amenities needed to run a modern business. The 610,727 sq. ft. warehouse space has the capability to store goods and provide the pick, pack and ship areas needed to handle the expected millions of products that will be fulfilled from this location.

To accommodate this influx of work, the Waukegan building features 53 exterior docks and 130 trailer positions. The existing parking lot on the industrial complex grounds features 271 parking stalls for employees and visitors alike. “This is the best facility of its kind and the team assembled to design and build it was second to none,” said a PREMIER spokesperson.

PREMIER vice-president Joe Ahrens oversaw the project and Scott Lebak was the superintendent. Cornerstone Architects, Ltd. provided architectural services while Manhard Consulting Ltd. and Structures Unlimited delivered engineering support. Bridge Development Partners, LLC is the developer.