Media Contact:
Geoffrey Vine, President
Phone: (608) 222-5100
MADISON, WIS. (January 27, 2011) — Stevens Construction Corp. has been chosen to build a 14-story, privately-owned, student-living building on the edge of the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor. Named 601 Forest, the project will be one of the biggest buildings under construction in Michigan at 235,000 square feet with 606 beds, 173 apartments, two levels of underground parking and retail spaces on the first floor.
601 Forest underwent four years of development, and with the help of Stevens, overcame a two-year stall due to economic factors that significantly reduced lending. “We have an immense amount of experience with student-living projects, but it is our expertise in post-tension concrete structures that allowed this project to come to fruition”, said Geoffrey Vine, President of Stevens Construction. “Brian Wagner, our Vice President of Presconstruction, worked tirelessly with the development and ownership team for more than 18 months to develop a plan that worked financially. In the end, our competitive price for our self-performed concrete work is what made the financing for the project possible.”
As a result, Stevens was awarded the project from a select group of competing General Contractors. With construction financing closed, demolition of existing structures on the site, located at South Forest Street and South University, is currently underway.
The project will require more than 300 fieldworkers a day during the peak construction schedule. 30 employees from Stevens will travel to and from the site to pour concrete for the post-tension concrete structure. The positive impact on jobs also spreads to the more than 40 other subcontractors and materials suppliers involved in the project.
Designed for the high-end market, 601 Forest includes an amenity floor featuring workout facilities, tanning beds, saunas, theatre room, game room and outside hot tub. The project is scheduled to open in the fall of 2012.
Hughes Acquisitions of Ann Arbor and Campus Acquisitions of Chicago are owners of the project. Hartshome Plunkard of Chicago is the architect.
About Stevens Construction Corp.
Stevens Construction Corp., one of the largest General Contractors in Wisconsin, serves an array of clients in industries and markets that include commercial/office, multi-family residential, hospitality, financial, restaurant/food service and recreational facilities, such as water parks. Founded in 1952, Stevens is based in Madison, Wis. with a staff of more than 140, offering self-performed concrete and carpentry services. The company has won numerous awards for construction excellence.
