The Opus Group has started construction on the first building at Liberty Heartland Logistics Center, an industrial build-to-suit for Hallmark Cards, Inc., in Liberty, Missouri. Once complete, Hallmark will occupy the 847,475-square-foot distribution center, allowing for a significant expansion from its existing distribution center.
“This expansion of our Liberty Distribution Center is an incredible milestone for our business and made possible due to valued partners such as Opus,” said Scott Collignon, Hallmark’s vice president of logistics. “This new facility will create a two-roof, co-located operation leading to new job opportunities, new capabilities, and a more optimized and efficient distribution network.
The building will feature 40-foot clear height, 48 dock doors, two drive-in doors, 150 trailer parking spots and 450 vehicle parking spots. This second distribution facility will allow Hallmark to expand its footprint in Liberty by 50 percent. The building is slated for completion in February 2023, at which time Hallmark anticipates more than 1,200 full-time employees working between its two facilities and about 150 seasonal part-time employees.
Liberty Heartland Logistics Center is a multi-building development located in a desirable area offering nearby access to Interstate 35 and U.S. Highway 69.
Opus also has plans for two more buildings on the site. Buildings B and C will be a 572,000-square-foot cross-dock building and a 239,000-square-foot rear load building, which can be customized for a prospective tenant’s needs.
Opus is the developer, design-builder, interior designer, architect and structural engineer of record. Mark Long, John Hassler and Scott Bluhm with Newmark Zimmer are marketing Buildings B and C for build-to-suit to own or lease.