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Paige Construction completed the shell of Alta Sita Shopping Center late last year at West Commerce and General McMullen, and finish out is  wrapping up for the remaining retail shops yet to open.

The 18,000-sf project caught the eye of the Westside Development Corporation.   Mayor Julian Castro recognized Alta Sita Shopping Center for its contribution to the redevelopment of the Westside at the Westside Honors Inaugural Gala Jun. 9 at Elmendorf Park.

“I think the uniqueness of this project is where it is built,” said Robert L. King, Jr., president and CEO of Paige Investments, parent company to  Paige Construction.  “Unfortunately, There has not been a lot of new retail development on the west side.   Not only does this project represent new retail development, but it boasts some very strong national credit tenants, that are doing well so far.  I think it is a compliment to the Westside, showing that people need not overlook the Westside.“

One unique aspect of the center is the design of the  green-screen architectural features. 

 According to King, "Eventually the ivy will grow up and completely cover green-screens, Thus, really softening the building to the street.".”

 In contrast to the green-screens, we specifically wanted the building to be rich in color.  Something that would catch people’s eye and draw them in.”

A challenge Paige Construction was prepared for was meeting the always-daunting completion time frame.  Paige was able to complete the shell in time for some stores to open their doors for the Christmas season.

“Because our company pedigree was derived from the retail development side, Paige Construction understands better than most, the tenants’ desire to be open before the busy Christmas shopping season, and also the landlord's need to ensure that the tenants open on time,” King said.  “Because of this, it was imperative that the construction schedule on this project, as with most retail developments, be met.  Not only were we able to achieve this for the landlord and tenants, but were able to deliver ahead of schedule in most cases.”

 "Not only did Paige Construction deliver our space on-time, but Paige Construction kept the neatest, cleanest construction site of any construction job we have ever been on,” said Lydia Sanchez, Director of Operations, Subway Development, for which Paige Construction handled the interior finish-out.  “This may seem like a minor thing, but it goes a very long way when simultaneously trying to coordinate our store opening and training of employees during build-out.”

Construction on the center included the demolition of a former automotive facility and erecting a new tilt-wall retail shopping center.

“We self-perform a lot of the work ourselves, thus being able to further control costs to the client,” King said.

Len Arche Concrete handled site work, slab and the poured-in-place tilt-wall panels and   T&T Steel Erectors handled the steel erection.

Paige Construction is based in San Antonio and was founded four years ago.  Paige focuses on commercial projects across San Antonio and South and Central Texas.  Sixty percent of the projects are ground-up retail/office and tenant finish-out projects as well as remodeling.  Bob King is the chief operating officer.  –kf

©2010 Construction News, Ltd.