Welcome to this week’s edition of TheJobWalk! Big money is pouring into the US this week, with Apple investing $500 billion into manufacturing, Eli Lilly building $27 billion worth of pharma plants, and Japan’s Sekisui House just becoming a top 5 homebuilder in America, we’re two months into the year and construction is booming!

PROJECTS

Project Overview: QTS Data Centers FTW1 DC2

QTS is currently in the midst of a $220M expansion of its Fort Worth campus. FTW1 DC1 currently offers 50MW of critical power across a 263,000 sqft facility. The expansion, FTW1 DC2 is a two-story data center and will include 471,875 sqft. It is designed to deliver 42MW of critical power capacity.  Ground broke in March 2024, with completion set for April 2026.

• Owner: QTS Data Centers

• General Contractor: TBD

• Design Team: Corgan

• Sector: Data Center

• Value: $220 Million

• Location: Tarrant County, Texas

Construction Update: $5.8 Billion Blue Oval SK Battery Plant

Back in December 2022, Gray & Barton Malow broke ground on the 1,500-acre manufacturing facility in Glendale, Kentucky. Production is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2025 for the first pant with the second plant's production deferred to 2026. The project is set to create approximately 5,000 new jobs in the region with the facility hiring about 750 employees last month.

• Client: BlueOval SK, LLC

• General Contractors: Gray / Barton Malow

• Specialty Contractors: Performance Contractors / ABEL Construction Company

• Award: Manufacturing

• Value: $5.8 Billion

• Location: Glendale, Kentucky

Project Announcement: Microsoft SAT93 and SAT94 Data Centers

Just announced, Microsoft is building two $350 million and 245,000 sqft data centers in Medina County Texas, SAT93 and SAT94. This filing is part of a nearly $1 billion investment strategy in the region, nearly doubling Microsoft’s recent investments in the area. Construction is estimated to begin in May 2025, with completion targeted for June 2027.

• Owner: Microsoft

• General Contractor: TBD

• Sector: Data Centers

• Project Value: $350 Million Each

• Total Investment Value: $1 Billion

• Location: Medina County, Texas

Project Update: $5 Billion Children's Medical Center Dallas

The $5 Billion JV between McCarthy & Vaughn broke ground in October 2024. It will cover over 4.7 million sqft, featuring a new hospital as its centerpiece, which includes two 12-story towers and one eight-story tower. The 20-acre campus will also offer green spaces, walking trails, and open courtyards for a healing environment. The facility is expected to open by 2030/2031.

• General Contractors: McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. & Vaughn Construction

• Design Team: HKS, Inc. & Perkins&Will

• Sector: Healthcare/Medical

• Project Value: $5 Billion

• Location: Dallas, Texas

Project Update: The $1.6 Billion Legends Tower

As of February, the $1.6 billion mixed-use development is progressing as planned, bringing major changes to Oklahoma City’s skyline. The project includes two 23-story residential towers, a 22-story luxury hotel, affordable housing, retail spaces, and parking. Its centerpiece is the 1,907-foot, 134-story Legends Tower, which upon completion, would be the tallest building in the U.S. However, the FAA has raised concerns, calling the proposed height "a hazard to air navigation," which could lead to potential design adjustments.

• Developer: Matteson Capital

• General Contractor: HENSEL PHELPS

• Engineering Contractors: Thornton Tomasetti & Siemens

• Architect: AO

• Award: Mixed Use

• Value: $1.6 Billion

• Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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NEWS

Apple’s Newest Build, More Concrete, Less Silicon

This week, Apple announced plans to invest over $500 billion into US manufacturing over the next four years. This massive investment aims to boost American innovation and create approximately 20,000 new jobs. A significant portion of this plan includes building a 250,000-square-foot facility in Houston, Texas, set to open in 2026, which will produce servers for Apple's AI systems.

By expanding its manufacturing footprint in the states, Apple seeks to enhance its supply chain and reduce exposure to tariffs. The investment also includes doubling its US Advanced Manufacturing Fund to $10 billion and establishing a manufacturing academy in Detroit to train workers in advanced production techniques.

ABC Ranks the Industry’s Finest

The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) unveiled its annual “Top Performers” list, celebrating contractors who have shown outstanding achievements in safety, quality, inclusion, and project excellence. This prestigious list ranks the top 250 companies based on work hours and other performance metrics, highlighting those that set industry standards.

Leading the way was Turner Industries Group LLC of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, securing the top position nationally, reflecting its significant contributions to the construction sector. BL Harbert International from Birmingham, Alabama took 2^nd place, with Brown & Root Industrial Services LLC taking 3^rd.  

The ABC Top Performers list encompasses a diverse range of contractors across various specialties and market sectors. To qualify, companies must attain gold status or higher in ABC's STEP Safety Management System.

WORLD

Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore

Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore is a world-class mixed-use complex blending nature, retail, and aviation. Opened in April 2019, the 1.46 million-square-foot (135,700 sqm) structure cost S$1.7 billion ($1.25 billion USD) to develop. Designed by Moshe Safdie, the building features a torus-shaped glass-and-steel facade spanning 10 stories (5 above ground, 5 basement levels).

The centerpiece, the Rain Vortex, is the world’s tallest indoor waterfall at 131 feet, capable of recirculating 10,000 gallons of rainwater per minute. Surrounding it, the Shiseido Forest Valley, houses over 2,000 trees and 100,000 shrubs from 120 species worldwide. On the top level, Canopy Park spans 150,000 sqft, featuring sky nets, hedge mazes, and mist gardens.

Jewel connects seamlessly to Changi Airport’s Terminals 1, 2, and 3 via pedestrian bridges and tunnels. The development was led by CapitaLand and Changi Airport Group, aiming to increase passenger layover retention and tourism. Since opening, Jewel has attracted over 50 million visitors annually.

TECH SPOTLIGHT

Arcol Bridges the Gap Between Plans and Projects

Arcol is a cutting-edge design and documentation tool enhancing the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries. Launched in 2021, Arcol offers a browser-based platform that enables real-time collaboration, eliminating the need for constant syncing or saving.

By 2025, Arcol has gained significant traction within the AEC community, particularly among architects and designers seeking more efficient tools. Notably, firms like Corgan and GWWO Architects have reported improved assessments and project efficiency using Arcol.

As of late 2024, Arcol has raised $5.1 million in funding and boasts a waitlist of over 18,000 users eager to adopt its innovative solution.

PulteGroup’s HadrianX Joins the Crew

PulteGroup, one of America's largest homebuilders, partnered with Australian company FBR to pilot the HadrianX robot in their TerraWalk community at Babcock Ranch, Florida. This AI-driven robot can construct structural walls in just one day, using a robotic arm to place concrete blocks with precision. These blocks are bonded with a special adhesive that's twice as strong as traditional mortar.

By integrating technologies like HadrianX, PulteGroup aims to improve construction quality and safety while delivering exceptional homes to customers. This approach addresses significant challenges in the construction industry, such as labor shortages and the need for increased efficiency.

This project is part of PulteGroup's broader initiative to explore new technologies and methods that can revolutionize homebuilding across the nation.

QUICK FIRE ROUND

Your quiz questions for this week:

What does “Curing” in concrete refer to?

A. Painting the concrete surface // B. Allowing it to harden and gain strength // C. Removing moisture prematurely

The term “aggregate” in concrete refers to what?

A. Added chemicals // B. Sand, gravel, or crushed stone // C. Reinforcement fibers

What does “flashing” in roofing used to do?

A. Reflect sunlight // B. Add decorative metal finishes // C. Prevent water infiltration at joints

The “building envelope” refers to:

A. The exterior shell // B. The property line // C. The architectural drawings set

What is a “Slump test” performed on?

A. Fresh concrete // B. Steel beams // C. Wood framing

Check out the answers at the bottom.

WEEKLY FUNNY

THIS WEEK’S HOT JOBS

1. Project Manager – Ohio – Data Centers

2. Project Manager – Kentucky – Healthcare

3. BIM Manager – Georgia – Commercial

4. Electrical Foreman – Georgia – Data Centers

5. Electrical Superintendent – Ohio – Data Centers

6. Electrical Project Manager – Georgia – Data Centers

7. Electrical Superintendent – Southeast – Manufacturing

8. Electrical Project Manager – Southeast – Manufacturing

9. MEP Project Manager – Texas – Healthcare

10. MEP Superintendent  – Texas – Manufacturing

REFLECTION

This week’s question to ask yourself..

How do I celebrate my professional achievements?

🚧Answers

Q1 B. Allowing it to harden and gain strength // Q2 B. Sand, gravel, or crushed stone // Q3 C. Prevent water infiltration at joints // Q4 A. The exterior shell // Q5 A. Fresh concrete

How many did you get?

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