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Sabre Commercial was featured in the June issue of Construction Today Magazine. The article focuses on the our company’s history and founding and then discusses current projects under construction and recently wrapped.

Be sure to check it out! 

We are so proud to announce that Sabre Commercial has been honored as the First Place winner in our division for the National AGC Construction Safety Excellence Awards (CSEA). This is our industry’s elite Safety Excellence Awards Program created to recognize companies that have developed and implemented premier safety and loss prevention programs. We couldn’t have achieved this without the hard work of our dedicated employees and subcontractors.

Huge thanks to Austin Chapter AGC for their help as well!

Sabre Commercial was awarded three Outstanding Construction Awards through the Austin Chapter of the Associated General Contractors for 2015.

The University of Texas at Austin, New Learning Commons, located within the Perry Castaneda Library, received the Interior Finish Out Award for projects valued between $500,000 and $2 Million.

The newly created Learning Commons is located in the Perry-Castaneda Library (PCL) building at The University of Texas at Austin campus. The new Learning Commons will be open to all students and is located on the entry level of the Library. This project allowed the relocation of existing services and resources and launched new services that enable students to create new knowledge by finding, evaluating, synthesizing and presenting research. The design facilitates productive collaboration among staff working in these learning areas for the benefit of all students and faculty.

The 19,500 square foot renovation was designed to replace the existing library offices and replace them with the following new services: research, writing, digital media lab, oral communications, tutoring & academic support, and statistical consultations. In addition, the space contains technology, instruction, cross-training, and bookable spaces. Finally, the space contains several active learning classrooms and restrooms.

The finished space includes high-end finishes, with some areas having equipment and paint finishes up to the structural floor above, measuring 18 feet tall. Much of the MEP and finishes work was accomplished from scaffolds and motorized lift equipment. The high end lighting and complex IT and audiovisual components using current technology with both wired and wireless solutions for staff work equipment, classrooms, and lab computer and A/V equipment.

The St. David’s South Austin Medical Center, Hybrid Operating Room Renovation received the Healthcare 1 Award for projects valued under $10 Million.

This 1,250 SF remodel created a new Hybrid Operating Room in the St. David’s South Austin Medical Center. The project included extensive coordination between the Sabre project team and medical equipment supplier to accommodate the high tech medical equipment installation. As all work was completed within the occupied and operational St. David’s South Austin Medical Center, coordination between Sabre and the Medical team was required to work within allowable times. The end result was an appealing and functioning Hybrid OR theater with the most advanced technology available within the tight timeline. The overall project was completed with no safety incidents or delays to the owner expectations.

PODS Warehouse took home the Industrial/Warehouse 1 Award for projects valued up to $5 Million.

The 54,450 square foot, single story facility constructed in San Marcos, Texas was built as a distribution and storage warehouse for PODS containers. The Design-Build project was built with concrete tilt wall construction with light weight open web steel joists supporting an insulated single ply roof. The flooring was built to withstand the 30 ton rated forklift used to move the storage containers around within the building during operation.

In addition to the warehouse, the City of San Marcos required the owner to double the width of Leah Avenue from Clovis Barker Road to the driveway entrance, approximately one quarter mile. This widening included all new storm drain inlets to match those on the other side along with sidewalk and signage. This work was rolled into Sabre’s construction contract.

Evan Spaulding, Chief Financial Officer at Sabre Commercial, has been promoted as a partner. Starting as a management consultant in 2011, he was instrumental in growing the company into what it is today. He was hired full-time as the Chief Financial Officer in October 2011. He will continue to lead Sabre’s financial operations and support the strategic initiatives.

See him in Austin Business Journal’s People On The Move.

Sabre Commercial was awarded three Outstanding Construction Awards through the Austin Chapter Associated General Contractors for 2014.

The University of Texas at Austin, Active Learning Classroom Remodel within the McCombs School of Business received the Interior Finish Out Award for projects valued between $500,000 and $2 Million.

The 8,450 square foot renovation was designed to replace an existing computer laboratory with classrooms, a security-sensitive student testing center, confidential conference rooms, and restroom upgrades. The construction included new finishes, programmable ceiling lighting, digital upgrades for computerized projection onto large projection screens, computerized writing tablets, acoustic wall panels, and a new hi-tech sound system. The project transformed the computer lab into a pleasurable learning environment, an environment which can be changed with a press on a touch screen to accommodate the desired light and sound configuration. The testing center is designed to accommodate individual student testing, to include forty individually isolated desk units, ergonomic table and seating configuration, LED lighting, and constantly-monitored cameras above each testing area to ensure that testing integrity is maintained. The center also includes two ADA-compliant testing areas to accommodate special needs.

The University of Texas at Austin, Student Union Remodel received the Interior Finish Out Award for Projects valued up to $500,000.

This 6,600 square feet renovation of the outdated student events center at University of Texas Student Union Building created a plush new lounge facility. The finished space consists of open lounges and offices.  A complete remodel included new MEP systems with upgraded fire alarm, fire sprinkler, HVAC, plumbing and lighting.  Finishes and specialties were also remodeled with new acoustic ceilings, glass wall and door systems, carpeting, furnishings, wall board systems, new stairwell steps and railings, wood-veneer-faced architectural cabinets, toilet compartments, and roller window shades.  As a finishing touch, a unique ornamental “deer horn” glass chandelier was added to the conference room.

Seton Medical Center Austin, MRI Suite Renovation received the award for Healthcare Projects valued up to $10 Million.

This three story project included a two magnet suite on the ground level, a shell space on the second level, and a mechanical penthouse on the third level on top of the roof. The area of the hospital that was remodeled included an open air atrium that was in-filled with structural steel framing and concrete slabs. Extensive interior demolition, crawlspace MEP rough-in, and shoring were required during the build-out. Two new Siemens MRI machines were installed by rigging approximately 270 feet from the south entrance of hospital, with site coordination paramount to staff and visitor safety.

See the spaces that made the list: AGC Winners: Austin high-rise earns honor after overcoming major snafu

Community First!, a master planned Austin residential whose mission is to house the chronically homeless, broke ground . Founded by Alan Graham, the founder of Mobile Loaves and Fishes, the project is being developed outside of city limits in East Austin.

We worked hand in hand with Mobile Loaves and Fishes during the planning of their CommunityFirst! endeavor. Over the past few years, we have donated our preconstruction services for many of their upcoming projects. In helping them create the initial overall project budget, our estimators donated over 100 hours of time.   While helping to develop their site package pricing and bidding, our estimators spent over 100 hours. They spent an estimated fifty hours in the building’s pricing. Throughout the construction of the community building we performed our services with no fee, a $50,000 value. In this way, we are able to truly help the community doing what we do best, general contracting.

See the Austin Business Journal article: For Alan Graham, community comes first

Sabre Commercial received two Outstanding Construction Awards through the Austin Chapter of the Associated General Contractors for 2013.

The Trail Foundation, Johnson Creek Restrooms, received the award for buildings valued up to $2 million.

The 600 square foot restroom facility was constructed of steel and specialty board formed concrete created by small, tightly spaced boards to create an organic layering while maintaining a monolithic appearance, much like the exposed limestone along the creek bed. Due to the approximated 1.5 million visitors to the Butler Creek Trail a year, it was extremely important that the design minimize maintenance needs for the four stall restroom. We carefully balanced safety and privacy all while factoring in the ambient noise from the freeway overhead. The sink area is unisex and shared in an open, see-and-be-seen space, akin to the Trail itself. Sabre Commercial did the construction “at cost” and donated the profit and fee back to The Trail Foundation.

To help give an open feel to the facility, a rebar fence was constructed to replicate blades of grass. The concrete walls are made of board formed concrete which required a finish carpenter to be hired to frame the specialty formwork which promoted the natural appearance of the project design. The restrooms boast polished concrete sink tops with an integrated concrete sink, both should stand the test of time and avoid the wear and tear pitfalls associated with a facility that that is exposed to the elements as well as high use. Finally, native landscaping was utilized to help with water conservation.

Even with the unique design, location, and weather conditions the project was completed in 20 weeks. After it was completed, the restroom became another symbol of The Trail Foundation’s hard work and dedication to Austin’s active, nature-centered, culture.

The St. David’s Medical Center Atrium Water Feature received the award for Specialty Construction.

This project included the atrium water feature addition to the atrium within the operational St. David’s Medical Center. The project consisted of structural steel, heavy gauge framing, mold resistant sheathing, limestone panels, limestone veneer, and a custom acrylic water wall panel. Due to the active nature of the hospital, special attention was given to ensure that patient safety and infection control wasn’t compromised. A hard temporary wall was constructed around the construction site to keep dust contained and patients and staff out. Negative pressure was obtained by HEPA negative air machines.

Before on site construction ever began, Stuart Simpson, owner of Austin Stone Carving spent 12 months carving the limestone by hand. The relief carvings depicting Christ healing the follower and the Caduceus symbol were entirely carved by hand from a flat slab of limestone. The stone used on the project is Cordova Cream Texas Limestone quarried near Liberty Hill, Texas.

See the spaces that made the list: See AGC award-winning construction projects

Sabre Commercial placed 5th place in the 2013 Aggie 100 List. This award is sponsored by Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School and recognizes the 100 fastest-growing businesses that are owned or managed by A&M alumni.

In order to qualify for the Aggie 100 list, a company must have the following traits:

• Must be at least five years old
• Must have a revenue of $250,000 or more for 2010
• Operations must be consistent with the Aggie Code of Honor (An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal)
• Must be owned or managed by an Aggie alumnus

Sabre Commercial ranked fifth place, with a growth of 151.23%.

See other Austin companies that made the list, compiled by Austin Business Journal: See which Austin companies made this year’s Aggie 100 ranking

Sabre ranked 5th place in Austin Business Journal’s 2013 Fast 50 Award. The rankings are determined from the following parameters:

• Revenue growth calculated from Annual Compounded Growth.
• Applicants are broken up into two categories based on revenue
  • Above $10 Million
  • Below $10 Million

See the other Fast 50 Award Winner: Austin’s Fast 50: Companies with unrivaled revenue growth

Sabre Commercial teamed up with CBRE and Riverside Resources to provide the best possible retrofit of an outdated 11,000 SF Office and Warehouse at 3804 S. College Avenue. In order to fit into the South Austin neighborhood, Riverside Resources hired local artists Mike Johnson and Lucas Aoki to create a mural on the south wall of the building.

See Austin Business Journal’s take on the space: Binswanger discovers a picture-perfect new store on South Congress.