The massive Apex Center is the brain child of developer RA Ventures. Their vision has come to fruition, creating a fully integrated campus with entertainment venues, restaurants, hotels, retail stores and offices. The complex is well situated along the I-495 corridor in Marlborough. The convenient location in Central Massachusetts is less than one mile from I-495, proximate to I-290, the Mass Pike or Route 9.
Along the half-mile of frontage on Boston Post Road stands the new 113,490 SF first class office building. The first phase consisted of a 45,000 SF, three-story building with a modern design featuring precast concrete facade. Phase two added a five-story 75,000 SF build-to-suit structure connected by a two-story glass atrium.
The Apex offices feature spandrel panels with light-colored precast concrete mix with dark stone exposed through a medium sand-blast finish surrounding architectural thin-brick inlaid in the precast concrete cladding panels. Coreslab Structures (CONN) supplied and installed the precast for the building which consists of smooth lines and different brick finishes which bring a formal and expansive feeling to the footprint.
According to Architect Julianna Hoch, JD LaGrasse & Associates, precast concrete was selected for its efficiency and speed. It was also essential for precast modular construction to maximize the tight site and phased erection schedule.
The first phase was completed in December 2017, and due to site constraints access to all elevations was limited requiring strategic analysis of crane placement. The second stage was installed a year later which required a temporary enclosure of one side of the building. Construction had to work with and around underground and elevated surface parking.
The limited footprint mandated early involvement of the precaster, Coreslab Structures. They provided design assistance and valuable insight into the construction process. The collaboration with the project team on material selection and fabrication scheduling ensured on-time delivery.
Precast spandrel panels that feature two different thin brick, stands out among all the commercial and entertainment venues. A large portion of the office space will be able to enjoy views of western Massachusetts.
The unique façade coupled with open and efficient floor plates projects the image of class A space and has helped attract tenants that appreciate the structure, location and the views. Space had been leased for headquarters for Vidsys and Synopsys software companies. Venture X workspace facility has brought their flexible, shared office model to the sprawling work-play-live complex. |