By Michael Swisa, Vice President of Development and Construction

At the halfway point of 2024, Excel Construction of Florida stands out as a leader in the commercial construction industry. With a strong foundation of success and community involvement, Excel Construction’s recent accomplishments and plans for growth highlight its dedication to delivering top-notch quality, maintaining integrity, and providing outstanding service. In this article, I will review the accomplishments of 2023 and the progress made in the first half of 2024, while also looking forward to the upcoming developments in our expanding construction operations.

2023 in Review:

For Excel Construction of Florida, 2023 was a year marked by resilience and success. With an impressive count of more than 50 completed projects, we weathered concerns about economic fluctuations and material shortages without wavering. Excel Construction remained steadfast in its commitment to growth, buoyed by favorable decisions from the Federal Reserve that instilled confidence among developers. We focused on attracting flex industrial projects and worked to expand our Class A office portfolio. Embracing diversification, Excel Construction also embarked on an ambitious expansion into new markets and service areas in West Palm Beach, poised to capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Client-Centric Approach and Innovation:

What continues to set Excel Construction apart from our competitors is the company’s unwavering commitment to building client relationships. Going beyond mere contracting, we pride ourselves on our role as a trusted partner, offering personalized attention and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Leveraging cutting-edge technology and innovative practices, Excel Construction has integrated AI software for enhanced project management and is placing greater emphasis on green building practices and meeting LEED standards where it makes sense for our clients.

Our clients are our partners, so they are involved in the entire process as much as they want to be or can be. It’s important for Excel Construction to establish that relationship from the early planning stages as the scope of a project comes to life. This prevents budget busting because if we define expectations upfront, clients will clearly understand what they are buying. It’s a win-win situation because we can provide detailed and accurate specifications, and there are no surprises for our clients during the construction process.

This year, Excel completed the transformation of 172,680 square feet of industrial space into a Class A workspace for Chauvet, a prominent professional lighting company. The finished project exemplifies our personalized approach to our clients. Chauvet’s desire for a collaborative and integrated headquarters all under one roof led us to the reimagination and transformation of an industrial space. We created a high-quality office environment specifically tailored to the company’s needs. The result was a sophisticated two-story workplace featuring glass-front offices, open teamwork areas, a multipurpose room, and a tech repair center, among other Class A amenities. Designed by Steven Myott and completed in collaboration with IDI Logistics, Chauvet’s new state-of-the-art headquarters is located in Davie Business Center Building E, Suite 509 in Davie, Florida, which was also built from the ground up by Excel Construction.

Palm Beach County Expansion:

In 2023, Excel Construction began to expand its services north to Palm Beach County and has recently celebrated significant project milestones as a result of this growth. With our innovative design capabilities and impeccable project management, we have established a presence in this region, signaling a new phase of growth for the company.

In 2024, the Palm Beach industrial market continues to hold promise, with key reports from companies such as JLL indicating that the region will thrive as a last-mile logistics hub.

As such, Excel recently completed the construction of a 34,500-square-foot commercial logistics transfer terminal in Riviera Beach in Palm Beach County. This terminal, situated near the Port of Palm Beach and on a nine-acre plot along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, was commissioned by The Easton Group, a commercial real estate developer.

The project was completed on time and within budget, featuring 31,500 square feet of warehouse space, 3,000 square feet of office space, and 61 exterior docks. Designed by Cornerstone Architects, the terminal underscores Excel Construction’s commitment to excellence.

Highlighting Excel Construction of Florida’s expansion into Palm Beach County was a focus on community support and funding and supporting non-profits and civic initiatives, including the Max M. Fisher Boys & Girls Club in Riviera Beach.

In addition, Excel Construction recently completed a $50,000 renovation project for FLITE Center Palm Beach, earning recognition with the prestigious FLITE Center “Bridge Builder Award.” The renovation, part of a new community grant initiative introduced by Excel in 2023, transformed an indoor counseling space and kitchen at FLITE Center’s West Palm Beach location, which serves youth and young adult survivors of human trafficking across Palm Beach County. Through the support of subcontractors and vendors who generously contributed and donated to the project’s success, youth now have a safe and nurturing space to receive critical mental health services.

Community Commitment – “Stand for What Counts:”

 For Excel Construction, our mission to “Stand for What Counts” transcends mere business operations—it’s a guiding principle that underscores our commitment to integrity, partnership, and community service. By supporting education, children, families, and environmental initiatives, Excel Construction of Florida continues to foster a legacy of impact and empowerment.

Beyond our recent partnership with FLITE Center, we are engaging employees and vendors in our focus on making a difference in the communities where we live and do business. For the third consecutive year, we collected and donated back-to-school supplies for the Broward Education Foundation, Children’s Harbor, and Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center to ensure that Broward County students in Title I Schools, at-risk youth, and children with special needs head back to school prepared to learn.

At Thanksgiving, our team served a festive lunch to the Humane Society of Broward County’s dedicated staff, volunteers, and furry friends. We continued our longstanding tradition of collecting and delivering toys for the holidays during the Sunbeam Polar Express, an annual toy drive hosted by the Miramar Park of Commerce to benefit the children and families in the city of Miramar. The dedicated Excel team also took on a different, if not sweeter, construction project when we worked with a group of eight- to 10-year-olds in the after-school programs at the L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center in Fort Lauderdale to build and decorate holiday gingerbread houses.

Excellence in Construction:

This year we are proud to have earned the distinguished Award of Excellence “Project of the Year” Award from NAIOP South Florida for our renovation work on the Chamberlain University Campus and Adtalem Global Education offices. The project included the transformation of an old paper mill that was formerly the USA Today printing and distribution facility. The outdated space had 10-inch-thick slabs, 25-foot ceilings to the deck, outdated electrical services, and large chiller system modifications, among other challenges we had to contend with. The interior was substantially gutted while selective industrial features of the space were salvaged to bring a modern character to the new educational facility.

The project scope included a massive renovation to house lecture-style classrooms, science labs, a simulation care center, an admissions center, faculty offices, and student amenities, including a study area and lounges. Playing off the building structure’s industrial characteristics, the new layout captures today’s design trends with large open ceiling areas spanning more than 25 feet. Existing skylights in the former production warehouse were incorporated into the design to enhance the feel of the interior space, bringing natural light into the hallways and reducing energy costs. The project required the addition of parking, rich landscaping, and a welcoming new entrance for the students.

Looking Ahead:

As Excel Construction charts its course through 2024 and beyond, the company remains steadfast in its mission to deliver the highest quality buildings and interior buildouts while fostering long-term partnerships built on respect and integrity. With a diversified portfolio spanning industrial, commercial, manufacturing, distribution, and multifamily residential projects, Excel Construction is poised to capitalize on emerging opportunities and continue its legacy of excellence in South Florida and beyond.