Construction is complete on the new office and distribution warehouse of Neil Enterprises, Inc., located at 1000 Woodlands Parkway in Vernon Hills, Illinois. Ware Malcomb provided architecture and interior design services for the project. The general contractor for the project was Harbour Contractors, Inc.
Neil Enterprises is a photo novelties and promotional product manufacturer, as well as a supplier/distributor of DNP media and special event printers. The new facility will also serve subsidiaries Neil Enterprises – Varsity Line, is a distributor of collegiate gift items to the college bookstore market, and Illini, a supplier of promotional products in the ad specialty industry.
The build-to-suit project spans 110,000 square feet, including 20,000 square feet of office space on two floors and 90,000 square feet of production and warehouse space. The building functions as a working showroom for all three companies’ product offerings, incorporating them throughout the space.
“The design solution reinforces the hard-working nature of this building as it accommodates the multi-faceted business needs of Neil Enterprises while also planning for the company’s future growth,” said Cameron Trefry, principal of Ware Malcomb’s Oak Brook and Chicago offices.
The interior design features a mix of enclosed offices and meeting spaces within an open office floor plan. A large “town hall” serves as a multi-purpose space for break times and impromptu meetings for employees to engage with each other. The materials utilized on the exterior included precast concrete, aluminum store front glazing and a stacked stone veneer.
“It was an exciting challenge to bring so much functionality into one space, while increasing collaboration and engagement opportunities for employees,” said Dawn Riegel, director, interior architecture and design of Ware Malcomb’s Oak Brook and Chicago offices.
