We are thankful for the following team members who recently celebrated their work anniversaries with our company:
Author: Arte Design & Marketing
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Complete Project: Thermo Fisher Scientific Tenant Improvements
The Huff Team recently completed tenant improvements for our client Thermo Fisher Scientific.
This project involved transforming a 40,000 square foot concrete-tilt warehouse shell into a large climate-controlled repository where pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and other biological samples are preserved and stored. In addition to the repository, we demised the space to include a temperature-controlled pallet rack/storage room. Our work also includes the buildout of a shipping and receiving dock with an equipment pad, several office spaces, a conference room, and bathrooms.
The repository has an impressive HVAC system including two 60-ton units that cycle on and off to maintain a constant temperature and humidity throughout the space. The HVAC system also features custom-made “Thermo Fisher Red” duct socks that evenly disperse the cold air throughout the repository. The temperature-controlled storage space features four 4-ton units that run 100% of the time
Please visit the project page to see more of our team’s progress
Construction Update: Childs Avenue & B Street Affordable Housing
We are excited to share the Huff Team’s progress over a year for the Childs Avenue & B Street Affordable Housing project in Merced, CA.
This project features 5 wood-framed apartment buildings that encompass 117,224 square feet. This project will bring 119 affordable rental units comprised of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments to the Merced region.
Please visit the project page to see more of our team’s progress
Women in Construction Week
In celebration of Women in Construction Week, we’d like to recognize all of the hard-working ladies who are a part of the Huff Team.
Women only make up about 11% of the construction industry workforce. At Huff Construction, women make up 29% of our total workforce.
Tracy Alicea, Project Manager at Huff Construction, has over 20 years of experience working in the construction industry and has this to say about working in a male-dominated profession:
“It has been challenging at times, especially in the ‘old days.’ Sometimes I have felt like I had to bite my tongue, and other times I’d let them have it. I used to feel like I had to really prove myself to be respected. Today, I am glad to be working at Huff Construction. There hasn’t been a time when somebody mistreated me or made my job more challenging because I am a woman. That says a lot about the culture at Huff Construction and the great subcontractors that we work with. A mantra I live by is to treat others with respect, and others will respect you.”
(Pictured are just a few of the many incredible women who work at Huff Construction)
Finishing Touches on the Element Hotel – San Jose, CA
The Huff Team is putting the finishing touches on the 175-Room Element Hotel in San Jose, CA.
This 5-story hotel encompasses 115,000 square feet and features an open-air pool. Some amenities for this hotel include a fitness center, meeting room, bar, lounge, market, and rooms with fully equipped kitchens.
The Element Hotel brand has redefined the longer-stay experience with an outdoor-inspired design philosophy that is clean, modern, and bright. The contemporary hotel is clad with black and white metal panels with bronze-tone highlights.
Please visit the project page to see more of our team’s progress
Completed Project: American Self Storage – Stockton, CA
We recently completed construction for an additional mini-storage building for American Self Storage in Stockton, CA.
Our work included the ground-up construction of a 13,000 square foot Huff Metal Building consisting of 97-storage units, including 5-accessible units.
Visit the American Self Storage project page to see more.
Completed Project: Wisdom Place Townhomes
The Huff team completed construction for the Wisdom Place Townhomes in Modesto, CA.
This project consisted of the ground-up construction of a small gated community with 8 townhomes totaling 16 units. The townhomes feature three different elevation schemes and two-floor plans all containing 3 bedrooms and 2 baths while ranging between 1,641 sq. ft. and 1,716 sq. ft. Residents of the community can enjoy the outdoors in a landscaped space in the center of the community.
Visit the Wisdom Place project page to see more.
Construction Update: RedRose Montessori Preschool
Framing is complete at the new RedRose Montessori Pre-School in Mountain House, CA.
This new structure will provide 12,560 square feet for the pre-school as well as include an incredible 9,980 square foot play area. Check out the video below to see the new updates.
Check out our project page here.
Huff Employee Spotlight: Garrett Ardis, Project Manager
Here at Huff, we look to build a strong well-rounded foundation for employees by allowing them to learn every aspect of the business through what we call the “Huff Way.”
Garrett has been a great example of the “Huff Way.” He has had the opportunity to work his way up through various positions from the ground floor. Garrett has been around Huff Construction his whole life and officially started working at Huff in October of 2018. Before working at Huff, Garrett attended the University of Arizona, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban and Regional Development with a minor in Business Administration. Get to know more about Garrett by reading below.
Name: Garrett Ardis
Title: Project Manager
Hire Date: October 2018
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Modesto, California.
What is your job and tell me about your recent promotion?
I am a Project Manager. Before my promotion, I was assisting project managers and managed manpower vehicles as well as worked on small projects. Now I am managing my own projects with an on-sight superintendent. I am now more focused on the budgetary aspect of the job and making sure the project is constructed correctly.
What did you do before working at Huff Construction?
I worked in commercial real estate for PMZ.
What makes you excited to go to work in the morning?
The wide variety of tasks that construction has to offer every day. Each day differs from the last which makes me excited and keeps me on my toes. I love problem-solving and every day has a new challenge to overcome. At the end of a project, I get to see a complete physical result of my hard work and that makes it all worth it.
What’s your favorite part about working at Huff?
The team! There is a good relationship between the guys in the field and the office staff. I am also lucky to have a great boss that gives me a long leash and allows me to learn and problem-solve. We are not micromanaged but we get support when needed and I thrive well in that type of environment.
What has surprised you about working at Huff?
I always figured that the construction industry was regimented but I didn’t know just how serious of an industry it really was until I actually started working at Huff. After coming from the real estate industry, it was a bit of a change for me but I really enjoy that aspect of the job, it allows me to stay organized and on top of my projects in the best way possible.
What has been your proudest moment at Huff?
My proudest moment thus far has probably been my work on Joe’s Premium Carwash. To be able to lead the design-build process, hire the design staff, go through every meeting step-by-step, direct the team out there to build the building, and now to the point where the car wash is open and running. I really enjoyed the whole process and having a successful outcome feels good.
Are there certain personality traits or skills that do well at Huff?
Yes, people who are hardworking, passionate, thick-skinned, determined, focused, resilient, and most importantly have great problem-solving skills.
What do you enjoy most about being a part of a family business?
I have gone my whole life knowing members of the Huff team whether it’s relatives or long-time employees. I have always had great personal respect for them but I have gained a newfound professional respect for them now that I have actually gotten to see firsthand the hard work that they put in.
Why are family Businesses are important?
For generations, we have seen family businesses being important to the growth of our local economy. Economies around the world thrive off of family-owned companies. Being able to be taught by your own father, to learn from his successes and failures in business is a great opportunity to be given to anyone. To pass down those types of skills in the business world is important for future generations.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
I enjoy golfing, watching sports, barbecuing, traveling, working out, and spending time with my animals.
What is on your bucket list?
I would like to have the opportunity to travel to Europe one day.
Where is your favorite place to eat?
Kimos in Maui. Kimos has the best views and the best Sashimi.
Any random facts you could share with us?
I have been playing the guitar for 17 years.
Where is your favorite place to travel to?
Tahoe!
Completed project – In-Shape Heath Club – Ceres, Ca
The Huff Team recently completed the interior tenant improvement of the 33,600 square-foot In-Shape Health Club in Ceres, CA.
The remodel included major demolition of interior walls to give an open concept that allows natural light to shine throughout the interior space. The demising wall between the pool/spa and the workout space was removed and replaced with storefront glass. The free weight area was expanded by opening and reinforcing an interior structural wall that stays true to the open concept. Artificial turf was installed in part of the gym to give it a natural and modern esthetic while proving excellent shock absorption properties.
Additional build-out includes a new unisex restroom, a large modern breakroom, a retail space, and an additional workout studio.
