CASE STUDY

Luxottica Retail Headquarters Exemplify Design-Build Advantages

Eyeglasses in about an hour. With that concept, LensCrafters revolutionized how eyeglasses are made, marketed and delivered. Placing a premium on speed and quality has helped the company become the industry leader. They were also important factors as the company began looking for land on which to build a new North American headquarters. The facility would need to house nearly 1,000 workers, corporate executives and employees of Luxottica Retail, home to LensCrafters, Sunglass Hut International, Watch Station, Watch World and EyeMed. The building would also have to provide more space for its growing nonprofit operation that helps improve the vision of the needy. And, as Luxottica Retail neared the end of a 180,000-square-foot lease, it had to be built fast.

After a search initially including several states, Luxottica Retail narrowed its list to include a 43-acre wooded site in Mason, Ohio, owned by Al. Neyer Inc. A Neyer development team worked closely with Luxottica Retail, as well as local and state officials to obtain an optimal package of state and local incentives. Delighted with the location, accessibility and Neyer's responsiveness, capabilities and attention to detail, Luxottica Retail chose the Mason site, and put Neyer in charge of all design-build services.

At 286,000 square feet, the facility would not be an ordinary design-build project. According to Rob Thrun, Neyer vice president, architecture, "There are only a handful of corporate headquarters like this built every year." After spending time with the client, Thrun and his team identified the primary goals of the building's design:
o The building would need to accommodate Luxottica's functional requirements in a very cost-effective manner, yet also have the inherent flexibility to readily adapt to future changes driven by business needs.
o The design would need to provide an excellent work environment, and create a sense of place that would reinforce Luxottica's corporate culture.
o And, the building's exterior would need to convey an image that reflects Luxottica's identity and values.

Neyer hired KZF Design early in the design process to help plan certain elements of the building's interior, including furniture systems, fixtures and equipment. "We showed the client they would get better project oversight, better cost savings and a much quicker timetable by choosing the design-build method of project delivery," Thrun says. 4000 Luxottica Place was ready for occupancy just 18 months after the start of design and 15 months after groundbreaking.

The sheer size alone of its four stories encased in a glass façade arching gracefully around the wooded site makes it a unique addition to the Greater Cincinnati corporate landscape. What distinguishes it more than size is the corporate statement it makes about Luxottica Retail. The company thoughtfully devoted resources on amenities and design to contribute the most value for its 900+ employees. Amenities solely for Luxottica Retail associates include a 380-seat restaurant with a full-service kitchen; company store, complete with lens making lab; credit union; and a fully equipped gym, with a separate aerobics room.

The building's office areas are surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass, providing lots of natural light and views to the exterior. Ceilings are 10 feet high with indirect lighting, aimed at reducing glare. The design team paid particular attention to how the building was placed on the site. A large outdoor public plaza, complete with a sound system, overlooks a natural setting. Two footbridges lead from the plaza to a nature trail.

Frank Robertshaw, senior construction manager, says early and ongoing communication helped bring about the world-class facility with few bumps. "We've appreciated the direction Neyer has given to the project, and to the subcontractors. It's like we've been speaking with one voice."

Corporate Officer Mildred Curtis, Senior Vice President of Legal and HR, Luxottica Retail, on partnership. Time: 2:07

Corporate Facilities Bill DiGrezio, Senior Vice President, Shared Operations Services, Luxottica Retail, talks about trust. Time: 2:13