It usually starts with a practical problem, not a big strategic debate.
Your team is working around each other. Equipment sits where it does because there is nowhere else to put it. Storage spills into walkways. Meetings about growth turn into conversations about space instead.
At some point, someone says it out loud, “Maybe we need to move.”
Relocation feels like progress. A new address. A bigger footprint. Fewer compromises. But once the conversation gets serious, the questions start stacking up. What happens to our employees? How long are we down? What does this really cost once permits, utilities, and timelines are involved?
That is when renovation enters the discussion.
For many commercial and industrial businesses, the real decision is not renovation versus relocation. It is whether the building you already own still has the ability to support how your business actually operates today.
At MGM Construction, we help leaders across Erie and Northwest Pennsylvania work through this decision before momentum pushes them in the wrong direction. With over 80 years of combined experience and a design-build approach, we focus on solving the operational problem first, then determining whether renovation or relocation makes the most sense.
When a Re-Layout Makes Sense
Facilities often become inefficient over time, not because they are too small, but because they were never designed for how the business operates today.
Production lines change. Equipment grows larger. Storage needs increase. What once worked no longer fits.
A re-layout may be the right choice if your building has unused or poorly used areas, outdated traffic flow, or workspaces that were added without a long-term plan. In many cases, adjusting equipment placement, aisle widths, or support spaces can unlock capacity you did not realize you had.
Re-layout projects can also reduce disruption. When planned correctly, changes can be phased to keep operations running. For businesses that cannot afford downtime, this matters.
When Expansion Is the Smarter Move
There are times when no amount of rearranging will solve the problem.
If your building lacks clear height, structural capacity, or room for future growth, expansion may be the better investment. This is common in manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution facilities where equipment size, truck access, and storage volume drive performance.
Expansion also makes sense when you need specialized space. Cold storage, clean rooms, medical areas, or high power environments often require purpose-built solutions that existing layouts cannot support.
As a Butler Builder®, MGM Construction works closely with Butler Manufacturing™ to design metal building systems that support efficient expansion today and flexibility tomorrow.
Planning Ahead With Butler Metal Building Systems
Flexibility also matters when you are deciding whether to renovate or relocate.
Many commercial and industrial businesses need a building that can grow with them, not one that forces another major decision a few years down the road.
As a Butler Builder®, MGM Construction works with Butler Manufacturing™ to deliver metal building systems designed for long-term use and future expansion. These systems are engineered so additions can be made cleanly and efficiently when growth requires more space.
Instead of starting over, businesses can add on in a way that feels intentional. Structural systems, rooflines, and wall panels are designed to integrate smoothly, which helps control costs and limit disruption.
For companies planning renovations today while keeping an eye on tomorrow, Butler metal buildings make it easier to treat renovation and future expansion as part of the same strategy.
Questions to Ask Before You Decide
Before choosing between re-layout and expansion, every business owner should consider a few core questions:
Is our current layout limiting productivity or just reflecting old habits
Can we improve flow, safety, or storage without adding square footage
Will this solution support where the business needs to be in five to ten years
Answering these questions requires more than guesswork. It takes an experienced partner who understands operations, codes, and construction realities.
Why Design-Build Matters
Design-build brings planning, engineering, budgeting, and construction under one team. That matters when you are weighing re-layout versus expansion.
At MGM Construction, we serve as a single point of contact from the first conversation through project completion. We evaluate your facility, identify constraints, and help you understand costs and timelines before decisions are locked in. Our team handles codes, inspections, and coordination so you can stay focused on running your business.
Sometimes the right answer is a re-layout. Sometimes it is an addition. Often, it is a mix of both.
The key is choosing based on facts, not assumptions.
If your facility feels stretched, the smartest move is not always to build bigger. It is to build smarter. Contact us today.
Planning a new facility or expansion for your business is exciting. It means growth, new opportunities, and a chance to build exactly what your operation needs. But before you sign any contracts or break ground, you need to make sure you’re setting yourself up for success.
Over the past 35 years, we’ve worked with hundreds of Erie business owners on everything from small warehouse additions to 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facilities. The projects that go smoothest always start with owners who ask the right questions upfront.
Here are five critical questions that will help you choose the right contractor and avoid costly surprises down the road.
1. What Work Does Your Team Actually Perform?
Not all construction companies operate the same way. Some act mainly as project coordinators who hire subcontractors for nearly everything. Others self-perform major portions of the work with their own crews.
Why this matters: When a contractor self-performs work like concrete, steel erection, and carpentry, you get better quality control and faster problem-solving. There’s no waiting for a subcontractor to return to fix an issue. The team on-site reports directly to your project manager.
Self-performed work also means better cost control. You’re not paying markup on top of markup as the general contractor adds their percentage to every subcontractor’s bid.
What to ask:
Which parts of my project will your own crews handle?
For the work you subcontract, how long have you worked with those teams?
Who on your team will be on-site daily?
At MGM Construction, we self-perform significant portions of our projects. Our crews handle site work, foundations, concrete, steel erection, carpentry, and interior finishing. This approach has helped us complete over 4,000 jobs on time and on budget.
2. How Do You Handle Value Engineering?
Value engineering sounds like industry jargon, but it’s actually one of the most important ways a good contractor saves you money without cutting corners.
Value engineering means finding smarter, more cost-effective ways to achieve your goals. Maybe there’s a different foundation system that works just as well but costs less. Or perhaps adjusting the building layout by a few feet eliminates the need for expensive site work.
Why this matters: The best time to save money is during the planning phase, not after construction starts. A contractor who understands value engineering will work with you from the beginning to design a facility that meets your needs at the best possible price.
This is especially important for Butler® metal building systems, which offer incredible flexibility during the design phase. Small changes early on can lead to big savings without sacrificing quality or functionality.
What to ask:
Can you give me an example of how you’ve saved clients money through value engineering?
At what point in the project do you start looking for cost savings?
Will you work with me to explore different options before we finalize the design?
Working with a Butler Builder® like MGM means you benefit from pre-engineered building systems that are designed for efficiency. We’ve been a Butler Builder® since 1994, and we know how to maximize the value of these systems for Erie businesses.
3. What’s Your Approach to Communication During Construction?
Construction projects involve dozens of decisions, unexpected site conditions, and constant coordination. How your contractor communicates can make the difference between a smooth project and a stressful nightmare.
Why this matters: You’re running a business. You can’t spend all day on the construction site or responding to calls about minor details. However, you do need to stay informed about progress, budget, and any issues that come up.
The right contractor establishes clear communication protocols from day one. You’ll know who to contact, how often you’ll get updates, and what decisions require your input versus what the team can handle on their own.
What to ask:
Who will be my main point of contact throughout the project?
How often will I receive progress updates?
What’s your process for handling change orders or unexpected issues?
How do you keep projects on schedule when problems arise?
When you work with us, clear communication is part of MGM’s promise to every client. We assign a dedicated project manager who stays with your project from start to finish. You’ll know exactly who to call, and you’ll never wonder what’s happening on-site.
4. How Do You Deal With Erie’s Construction Challenges?
Erie presents unique construction challenges that out-of-town contractors might not understand. Our weather, soil conditions, local building codes, and even the availability of materials all impact how projects get built.
Why this matters: A contractor like MGM, with deep Erie roots, has relationships with local suppliers, knows which subcontractors deliver quality work, and understands how to plan around our weather patterns. We’ve also worked with local building officials and know what’s required to keep permits moving forward.
Right now, the construction industry nationwide is dealing with labor shortages and material cost fluctuations. An experienced local contractor has strategies to navigate these challenges without derailing your project.
What to ask:
How long have you been working in the Erie area?
How do you handle material price increases during construction?
What’s your relationship with local suppliers and subcontractors?
Can you provide references from other Erie businesses you’ve worked with?
MGM Construction has been building in Erie since 1990. We’ve developed strong relationships with local suppliers and skilled tradespeople. When material prices shift or weather delays occur, we have the connections and experience to keep your project moving forward.
5. What Happens After You Finish Building?
The relationship with your contractor shouldn’t end the day they hand over the keys. Buildings require ongoing maintenance, and sometimes issues arise after you move in.
Why this matters: A contractor who stands behind their work will be responsive if problems come up. They’ll also provide guidance on maintaining your new facility so it serves your business well for decades.
For metal building systems, this ongoing relationship is especially valuable. Butler® buildings are designed to last with minimal maintenance, but you’ll still want a contractor who can answer questions or help with future expansions.
What to ask:
What warranty do you provide on your work?
If an issue comes up after completion, what’s your response time?
Do you provide any guidance on building maintenance?
Can you handle future additions or modifications if my business grows?
We build facilities that our clients depend on for years. Many of our customers call us back for expansions, renovations, or new projects because they know we’ll be there when they need us.
Making the Right Choice for Your Business
Choosing a construction partner is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make for your business. The wrong contractor can mean cost overruns, delays, and headaches that distract from running your operation. The right contractor becomes a trusted partner who helps your business grow.
These five questions give you a framework for evaluating contractors, but the most important thing is to trust your instincts. Does the contractor listen to your needs? Do they provide clear, honest answers? Do their past clients speak highly of their work?
With Erie’s economy growing and new opportunities emerging, now is a great time to invest in your facility. Just make sure you’re working with a team that has the experience, integrity, and local knowledge to deliver results.
At MGM Construction, we’ve spent over three decades earning the trust of Erie businesses. From data centers to manufacturing facilities to commercial renovations, we bring the same commitment to every project: delivering practical, efficient construction solutions that meet your budget and timeline.
Ready to discuss your project?Contact MGM Construction today to schedule a consultation. We’ll walk you through our process, answer all your questions, and help you determine the best approach for your facility.
Every business owner hopes to face this moment. Your company is growing, orders are increasing, and your team is working harder than ever. But something feels off. Your facility, which once had plenty of room, now feels cramped. Equipment sits in aisles because there’s nowhere else to put it. Your staff keep bumping into each other trying to get their work done.
These aren’t just minor inconveniences. They’re warning signs that your facility can no longer support your business goals. The question isn’t whether you need more space; it’s whether you’ll address it before it starts costing you real money.
Sign #1: Your Production Floor Has Become an Obstacle Course
Walk through your facility right now. Can your team move freely between workstations? Or do they have to navigate around boxes, equipment, and temporary storage areas that weren’t there six months ago?
When your production floor starts looking like a maze, you’re dealing with more than clutter. You’re looking at safety risks, efficiency losses, and frustrated employees who can’t do their jobs properly.
What it costs you: Workers spend extra time navigating around obstacles instead of producing. Equipment gets damaged when squeezed into tight spaces. Insurance premiums increase as safety incidents rise. Most importantly, you can’t take on larger orders because you simply don’t have room to handle them.
Sign #2: You’re Turning Down Profitable Work
This one hurts the most. A customer calls with a significant order—exactly the kind of business you’ve been working toward. But you have to say no because your facility can’t handle the volume.
Maybe you don’t have enough production space. Perhaps your storage capacity maxed out months ago. Or your current building can’t accommodate the equipment you’d need to fulfill larger contracts.
What it costs you: Every declined opportunity goes to your competitor. Beyond the immediate lost revenue, you’re missing the chance to build relationships with bigger clients. These customers may never call again because they’ve found another supplier who could say yes.
Sign #3: Your Inventory Management Has Become a Guessing Game
You know you ordered those parts. You’re just not sure where they ended up. When inventory gets stacked in every available corner, against walls, and in temporary outdoor storage, tracking becomes nearly impossible.
This isn’t just about organization. It’s about money sitting in places you can’t find it, orders delayed because you can’t locate materials, and duplicate purchases because nobody knows what you actually have in stock.
What it costs you: You’re paying for inventory twice: once for the materials you bought and again for the duplicates purchased when the originals couldn’t be found. Rush shipping fees add up when you need to reorder items you already own. Customer relationships suffer when deliveries arrive late because you can’t find the parts to complete their order.
Sign #4: Your Team Keeps Growing, But Your Building Doesn’t
You’ve hired great people to handle increased business. But now they’re sharing desks, working in repurposed storage closets, or trying to collaborate in noisy break rooms because there aren’t enough offices or meeting spaces.
When your staff can’t work effectively because they lack a proper workspace, productivity drops. Good employees start looking for opportunities at companies with better facilities. Your workplace culture takes a hit when everyone feels squeezed into inadequate space.
What it costs you: High turnover means constant training costs and lost productivity while new hires get up to speed. Recruiting becomes harder when candidates see your cramped facilities. Projects take longer because teams can’t collaborate effectively. The talent you’ve worked hard to build starts leaving for competitors with better working conditions.
Sign #5: Maintenance Issues Keep Piling Up Faster Than You Can Fix Them
Your facility wasn’t designed for your current operations. Maybe you’ve added equipment that draws more power than the electrical system can handle. Perhaps your HVAC system can’t keep up with your expanded production needs. The roof that seemed fine five years ago now leaks in three places.
When you’re constantly patching problems instead of solving them, you’re throwing money at a building that can’t support your business needs.
What it costs you: Emergency repairs cost significantly more than planned maintenance. Production stops completely when systems fail. The product gets damaged by temperature fluctuations or water leaks. You’re spending thousands on temporary fixes for problems that will keep coming back because your building has simply reached its limits.
How to Plan Your Expansion the Right Way
Recognizing these signs early gives you a major advantage. You can plan your expansion strategically instead of scrambling to address a crisis. Here’s how to approach it:
Start with your five-year vision. Don’t just build for today’s needs. Where will your business be in five years? What equipment will you need? How many employees will you have? Build for that future, not just your current situation.
Consider all your options. New construction isn’t always the answer. Sometimes, renovating and repurposing your existing facility makes more financial sense. Adding onto your current building might give you the space you need while keeping you in your established location. An experienced general contractor can evaluate your situation and recommend the most cost-effective approach.
Think about flexibility. Your needs will change. Choose building systems that allow for future expansion. Metal building systems offer this advantage. They’re designed so you can easily add width, length, or height later without major reconstruction.
Focus on value engineering from the start. The cheapest building rarely costs the least in the long run. Working with a design-build partner lets you balance upfront costs with long-term operating expenses. Energy-efficient systems cost more initially but save thousands over the building’s lifetime.
Plan for minimal disruption. Your business can’t shut down for six months while you build. Discuss construction methods that keep your operations running. Pre-engineered building systems arrive ready to assemble, cutting construction time significantly compared to traditional methods.
The Cost of Waiting Too Long
Every month you delay addressing facility limitations costs you money. Lost opportunities, inefficient operations, frustrated employees, and safety risks all add up quickly. The companies that thrive are the ones that see these warning signs early and take action.
Your competitors aren’t waiting. They’re expanding, adding capacity, and positioning themselves to capture the business you’re having to turn down.
Taking the First Step
If you recognize your business in three or more of these signs, it’s time to have a serious conversation about your facility needs. The good news? You don’t have to figure this out alone.
An experienced construction partner can evaluate your current situation, help you understand your options, and develop a plan that fits your budget and timeline. Whether you need a completely new facility, an addition to your existing building, or a creative adaptive reuse solution, the right approach exists for your situation.
The companies that wait until they’re in crisis mode end up with rushed decisions and expensive mistakes. The ones that plan ahead get better buildings at better prices, and they keep growing while their competitors scramble to catch up.
Your facility should support your business goals, not hold them back. When you spot these warning signs, you have a choice: address them strategically now, or deal with them as an emergency later. One approach builds your business. The other just puts out fires.
Ready to discuss your facility expansion options?Contact MGM Construction to schedule a consultation. With over 30 years of experience in commercial and industrial construction throughout Erie and Northwestern Pennsylvania, we’ll help you develop a plan that supports your growth without breaking your budget.
Your business is bursting at the seams. The walls feel like they are closing in, and your team keeps talking about “when we move to a bigger place.” What if the solution is not finding a new building? What if the solution is unlocking the potential of the building you already have?
Across Pennsylvania, company leaders are discovering that transforming an existing space often makes more sense than starting over somewhere else. Through adaptive reuse and strategic renovations, they are creating better facilities while keeping their roots firmly planted.
The Relocation Trap Most Companies Fall Into
Moving sounds simple in theory. Find a bigger space, pack up, and relocate. In reality, moving means leaving behind everything that makes your current location work: proximity to key customers, established supplier relationships, employee commute patterns, and years of community connections.
Then there are the costs that add up quickly: land acquisition, site preparation, new utility connections, IT infrastructure setup, and months of lost productivity during the transition. Many companies discover too late that their “simple” move became a complex, expensive disruption that took far longer than expected.
When Old Buildings Become New Opportunities
Adaptive reuse takes buildings that seem outdated and transforms them into modern, functional spaces while preserving their unique character. It is about seeing potential where others see problems.
MGM Construction has helped companies across Erie County tackle these transformations. Take Union Station in downtown Erie. This historic renovation project required balancing preservation requirements with modern functionality needs. The result was a space that honors its architectural heritage while meeting today’s operational demands.
These projects require specialized skills:
Understanding how to work with existing structural systems
Integrating modern mechanical and electrical systems into older buildings
Navigating historic preservation guidelines
Meeting current safety and accessibility standards
The companies that choose this path end up with facilities that tell a story, spaces that employees are proud to work in, and clients remember long after they leave.
Building While You Keep Your Business Growing
Some businesses cannot afford to shut down during construction. Manufacturing companies need continuous production. Healthcare facilities serve patients around the clock. Retail operations depend on consistent customer access.
MGM Construction has perfected the art of renovation without disruption. We have worked on projects where businesses stayed fully operational throughout construction, using careful planning and phased approaches that minimize interference.
The key lies in understanding your business operations and designing construction phases around your critical functions. It means working odd hours when necessary, controlling dust and noise, and maintaining clear communication about what is happening and when.
The Math That Changes Everything
The financial case for transformation often surprises business owners. When you already own the land and have existing infrastructure in place, renovation costs typically run significantly lower than new construction. You are building on a foundation that is already there – literally and figuratively.
Beyond the obvious cost savings, consider the hidden benefits. Your existing location probably offers advantages you have built your business around. Moving means giving up those advantages and hoping you can recreate them elsewhere.
Why Your Local Contractor Matters More Than You Think
Adaptive reuse and complex renovations are not projects for generic contractors. They require deep knowledge of local building codes, established relationships with permit offices, and an understanding of regional construction challenges. As your local general contractor and Butler Builder®, we have the knowledge and experience to take on any adaptive reuse project and even to add steel structural support or additions.
MGM Construction brings over three decades of experience working specifically in Northwest Pennsylvania. Our teams can help you figure out which buildings have good bones and which ones do not. We understand local permit processes and have relationships that keep projects moving forward. When unexpected challenges arise, and they always do in renovation projects, our local expertise makes the difference between quick solutions and costly delays.
Recognizing When Transformation Makes Sense
Not every building is a good candidate for adaptive reuse or major renovation. The best projects share certain characteristics:
Location advantage: Your current spot provides real business benefits that would be hard to replicate elsewhere.
Structural integrity: The existing building has solid fundamentals that can support modern improvements.
Growth timeline: You need solutions within months, not years.
Operational importance: Moving would significantly disrupt customer relationships or business operations.
Building Competitive Advantage Into Your Walls
The companies that get adaptive reuse and renovation right do not just solve space problems: they create competitive advantages. They end up with facilities that support their culture, impress their clients, and help them attract better employees.
These projects often become sources of pride for the entire organization. There is something powerful about transforming a space rather than abandoning it. It sends a message about your company’s creativity, resourcefulness, and commitment to your community.
What Happens Next
Every building tells a different story, and every business has unique needs. The question is not whether adaptive reuse or renovation is right for every company. It is whether it is right for your company.
MGM Construction has spent over 30 years helping Northwest Pennsylvania businesses make these decisions. We have seen which projects succeed and which ones struggle. More importantly, we have developed the expertise to tell the difference before construction begins.
If you are feeling constrained by your current space, the solution might be closer than you think. Sometimes the best building for your business is the one you are already in. It just needs the right vision to unlock its potential.
Ready to see what is possible for your building? Contact MGM Construction today to discuss your project.
Would you rather stare at cinder block walls, or the fine grains of wood in an eye-catching design? From one-of-a-kind architectural features to tailored layouts that optimize space and efficiency, custom carpentry adds warmth and style to commercial interiors in ways other materials can’t.
Custom carpentry levels up your plain commercial space and adds extra customer, client, or visitor satisfaction. People just prefer to be in aesthetically pleasing surroundings, even if they’re not consciously aware of it.
Let’s look in depth at more of the motivation behind choosing custom carpentry work for your commercial project.
Establishing a Unique Brand Identity
In retail and other commercial spaces, your building design often speaks first for your brand.
Custom carpentry allows you to directly communicate your brand’s values and personality through your visitor’s environment.
By collaborating with general contractors with skilled carpenters on staff, businesses can create custom displays, counters, and fixtures—whether rustic, industrial, minimalist, or luxurious.
Increasing Space Utilization and Functionality
Custom carpentry is especially valuable in maximizing space efficiency and creating functional layouts that support business operations. In commercial spaces, every square foot is precious, and custom carpentry allows for the creation of built-ins, shelving, and cabinets that fit precisely within the available dimensions.
Tailored solutions like integrated storage units, custom reception desks, and multifunctional workstations help streamline your daily operations. Each piece serves a specific purpose and contributes to better organization and workflow.
This is especially useful in high-traffic areas or compact spaces that require optimized layouts.
Improving Employee Morale and Productivity
The physical environment can significantly impact employee well-being and productivity. Custom carpentry allows for designs that support ergonomic comfort, efficient workflow, and a pleasant atmosphere.
Custom-built furniture like adjustable desks, storage solutions, and sound-reducing partitions can improve employees’ work experience, boosting morale and overall productivity, which are important for any thriving business.
Supporting Sustainability Goals
Your business is likely being made increasingly aware of your environmental impact, and custom carpentry can support your sustainable building design efforts.
Businesses can reduce their carbon footprint by choosing responsibly sourced wood and eco-friendly finishes. Reclaimed wood is another popular choice that not only adds a unique, rustic touch but also promotes the reuse of resources.
This commitment to sustainability resonates well with clients who value eco-conscious practices, aligning businesses with broader consumer trends in environmental responsibility. Custom carpentry that emphasizes green materials can help achieve sustainability certifications, like with the LEED program, that further demonstrate a business’s commitment to eco-friendly design.
You can also use custom commercial carpentry work in steel building systems. We craft pre-engineered metal building systems using industry-leading Butler Manufacturing products and can then bring our carpentry team in to design interiors and more.
Showcasing Craftsmanship with Custom Millwork
Custom millwork, including intricate molding, trim, and paneling, adds a touch of sophistication and craftsmanship to commercial interiors. Millwork details can highlight architectural features, define spaces, and bring a sense of artistry to functional areas.
For example, custom millwork around entryways, reception desks, or accent walls can improve the space, creating a memorable impression that complements the business’s aesthetic and brand.
Improving Safety and Accessibility
Custom carpentry can be tailored to meet specific safety and accessibility standards, making spaces safer and more inclusive. From ADA-compliant counters and seating to slip-resistant flooring options, custom solutions can increase accessibility for customers and employees alike.
Additionally, custom cabinetry and shelving can be designed to reduce clutter, minimize tripping hazards, and increase overall safety in high-traffic commercial areas. This proactive approach to safety and accessibility helps businesses create a welcoming, user-friendly environment with lowered risks.
At MGM General Construction Corporation, we specialize in creating tailored interiors that reflect your brand identity and improve your business operations. Contact us today to discuss how our custom carpentry services can transform your commercial space.
Regardless of public awareness, data centers form the backbone of digital infrastructure: housing the servers, networking equipment, and storage systems that are crucial for maintaining society’s daily operations. However, expanding a data center involves more than just adding servers, or putting in more shelving.
Data center expansion requires additional physical space, structural integrity, and a design that accommodates future growth—all while maintaining strict security.
Metal building systems provide the perfect solution, offering the strength, scalability, and efficiency needed to meet evolving infrastructure demands. Read on to learn how these innovative structures can help your data center grow smoothly.
Strength and Durability for Long-Term Use
Metal building systems are designed with strength in mind, using materials like steel.
Durable steel can easily withstand extreme weather conditions and resists wear over time.
Your building is better able to withstand temperature changes, snow, wind, rain, and sun. Most metal building systems are designed around products with extremely long lifespans.
This means reduced maintenance costs and a long-lasting structure that protects your servers and important equipment. A durable, robust metal building ensures your infrastructure’s safety, providing peace of mind that your data center can endure various environmental challenges for into the future.
Fast and Efficient Construction
Time is of the essence in any construction project, especially when your data center is at capacity and needs to expand quickly.
Metal building systems offer the advantage of pre-engineered components that can be manufactured off-site and swiftly assembled on-site. When your system arrives at the job site, the parts are in order and pre-punched for quick assembly by a trained crew.
This approach not only reduces labor costs but also significantly shortens project timelines, enabling you to get your data center operational faster.
Scalability to Meet Future Demands
Metal buildings are modular, and when it’s time for more space, you can easily add more room to your facility. Metal building structures can be easily expanded to accommodate more servers, cooling systems, and other essential equipment—without expensive building modifications or the need for time-consuming remodeling.
Whether you’re adding an extra wing or extending the current facility’s height, metal buildings allow for seamless growth without needing a complete overhaul of the existing structure. This makes future expansions more manageable and cost-effective, providing the flexibility needed as your business demands increase.
Cost-Effective Construction Solution
The materials used in metal buildings are generally less expensive than those used in traditional brick-and-mortar construction, and the efficiency of the construction process requires fewer labor hours.
Steel buildings are energy efficient, helping to reduce your ongoing operational costs related to heating, cooling, and electricity consumption. With reduced upfront and long-term costs, metal buildings deliver excellent value for data center expansions.
Customizable Design Options
Metal buildings are highly versatile and customizable, making them an excellent choice for data center expansion. You can design a building that meets your industry and brand’s requirements, from the layout to specialized ventilation systems or a custom wood-framed office area.
Need extra cooling capacity for your servers? Metal buildings can be adapted to include advanced HVAC systems, fire suppression systems, and even unique design elements that align with your company’s branding.
Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Solutions
Steel is 100% recyclable and can be reused at the end of the structure’s life cycle.
As an industry, pre-engineered steel buildings support energy-efficient designs, including features like reflective roofing and insulated wall panels.
Using energy-efficient components can help reduce the overall carbon footprint of your data center. You can also qualify for tax incentives and LEED credits, to save on operating costs.
Adaptability to Changing Technology
Metal building systems provide the adaptability needed to modify or upgrade facilities as technology and market trends change.
For example, as new server technologies demand different layouts or bigger cooling systems, your facility can be reconfigured without requiring extensive renovations. This flexibility is a key advantage for data centers, helping future-proof your business and reducing your need for costly rebuilds.
We work with industry leader industry leader Butler Manufacturing™, and their focus on adapting to trends and industry needs has kept their business at the forefront of construction technology for over 100 years.
Is your data center ready for its next phase of growth? Our team at MGM General Construction Corporation specializes in creating scalable, durable, and customizable metal building systems designed to meet your needs. Contact us today to learn more about our services!
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Architect and sustainability expert, Carl Elefante, is known for saying, “The greenest building is the one that is already built.” Adaptive reuse construction is often a cost-effective, sustainable choice.
Business and property owners often wonder about how they can use a facility they already own for a better purpose. Or sometimes a client needs to outfit an existing facility for a new tenant. These clients need an adaptive reuse construction project.
Keep reading to learn more about just what that is and we’ll answer a couple of our most commonly asked questions.
Adaptive Reuse in Construction
Contractors design most commercial construction with a distinct purpose in mind. The building’s intended business constrains the overall design. However, circumstances lead many buildings to become abandoned or vacant.
As businesses relocate, grow, disappear, and merge, commercial properties often lie dormant—but they’re not ready for demolition. Instead, think of them as waiting like a puppy at the pound for just the right tenant.
With high-quality renovations, a building can get a new life and decades of use out of an existing building. Adaptive Reuse projects give our clients the chance to do just that.
From historic preservation to integrating into a new structure, renovations, or infrastructure upgrades, we’re here to help knock down a few walls and expand your knowledge of commercial adaptive reuse construction.
Cost-Savings and Sustainability
Repurposing a building gives you options for rebuilding that may not have existed at the time of original construction. A reuse project lets you include new, efficient components, like Butler®’s energy-efficient roofing systems or factory-insulated metal panels.
When your business moves into your new location, your environmentally-conscious choices become money savers: your efficient parts keep your energy bills and maintenance needs low.
What will you have to consider for your adaptive reuse commercial project? That’s a good question.
Common Questions about Adaptive Reuse
Our clients often ask, “Will adaptive reuse of the existing structure save money over new construction?” The cautious answer is, “Yes.” The final determining factors are just how much work the building needs and how much of it can be postponed.
Known as “deferred maintenance,” these will be a short list of issues that can be safely left out of the original project. Safety is still the top concern here, and we won’t cut corners or ignore any codes or requirements.
This is where a contractor’s experience comes into play. With over 80 years of combined experience, our team has a deep knowledge of what is important for a reuse project—what you need to get open for business and what can wait.
We’ll go into the topic in more detail in a future post.
Another common question concerns grandfathered code provisions. Clients often ask if a building that worked safely for years can be grandfathered in under the regulations it was previously compliant under. This is a less formal way to say “lawful prior non-conforming use,” or that the building was previously perfectly suitable and can still be considered so.
As long as the building intended for adaptive reuse is safe, it may not have to be relocated or demolished due to not adhering to the most recent requirements. At MGM General Construction Corporation, we typically work with the International Existing Building Code (IEBC) for these types of projects. The standard new construction code is the International Building Code (IBC).
It’s important to keep in mind that any new construction, additions, or renovations must meet new building codes and can’t piggyback along.
How to Get Started
At MGM General Construction Corporation, we are proud to be a Butler Builder®, providing energy-efficient construction projects to our clients. Our portfolio includes Parkside Commons, an old school repurposed as a building with residential living units and commercial office space.
If you are interested in starting an adaptive reuse project, contact us today!
