CRST International tasked OPN with creating a “statement building” that would dramatically change the Cedar Rapids skyline. The 11-story tower will be a welcome addition to the city, with CRST occupying two floors and Bankers Trust serving as the anchor tenant for the building. The facility will include eight floors of office space and three floors of parking. Retail spaces will be provided on the main level.
Sustainability was an important charge when designing the 120,000-square-foot multi-tenant office tower. The building features the City of Cedar Rapids’ first living green wall, a substantial solar control screen, and high-performance glass. The building also incorporates a flood wall and flood pump station into the lower-level parking area to ensure stability in the event of a flood. Perhaps one of the most visible design features is the cantilevered balcony that runs up to the edge of the Cedar River. The balcony contains a rooftop plaza with expansive views of the Cedar River and the downtown urban fabric.
The building is estimated to be completed in 2016.