Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc., 11 South professional office building, Columbia, Ill.
By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE
Construction continues on a new five-story professional office building being developed on a 22-acre site in Columbia, Ill. Ground was broken this past October, and an opening is planned for December of this year.
The development, known as “11 South” due to its location 11 miles south of St. Louis’ Gateway Arch, will have easy access from Illinois Route 3 and Interstate 255. Scheduled tenants include an urgent care facility, medical offices, a pharmacy, and financial services.
Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. serves as the project’s construction manager.
The completed professional office building will encompass 63,000 square feet of space within its five stories. John Whitworth, Korte & Luitjohan’s senior project manager, pointed out that 11 South will be the first of its kind for Monroe County, not only in terms of its offerings, but in the natural amenities it provides to its tenants and visitors.
“The design has taken advantage of the views. It has quite an impact when you come up Route 3,” said Whitworth. Situated on the bluffs with views of the Mississippi River, Jefferson Barracks Bridge and Downtown St. Louis, it has much to offer aesthetically.
The shell and building core employ structural steel combined with a curved glass curtain wall at both entrances along with extensive use of the curtain wall for the remaining elevations. Masonry brick accents its building corners.
The two entrances to the building are bi-level; entering from the south side brings visitors into the second floor while entering from the north side brings them into the first floor. Both entrances are at ground level, allowing for complete accessibility.
Developed by Admiral Parkway, Inc., the project architect is Quadrant Design of Waterloo, Ill. Kreher Engineering of Columbia provided structural engineering while Millennia Professional Services of Fairview Heights provided civil engineering services.