Construction Begins on Industrial Build-to-Suit in Liberty, Missouri

The Opus Group (Opus) announced today the start of construction on the first building at Liberty Heartland Logistics Center, an industrial build-to-suit for Hallmark Cards, Inc., in Liberty, Missouri. Once complete, Hallmark will occupy the 847,475-square-foot distribution center, allowing for a significant expansion from its existing distribution center.

“Opus is excited to deliver a Class A development for Hallmark's new distribution hub," said Joe Downs, executive vice president and general manager at Opus. “Our integrated team has worked diligently with our partners to effectively plan and execute this project. The trust, support and collaboration from the city of Liberty, Hallmark, the Missouri Department of Economic Development, Missouri Partnership, Davidson Architecture & Engineering, and Newmark Zimmer has been invaluable throughout this process."

“This expansion of our Liberty Distribution Center is an incredible milestone for our business and made possible due to valued partners such as Opus," said Scott Collignon, Hallmark's vice president of logistics. “This new facility will create a two-roof, co-located operation leading to new job opportunities, new capabilities, and a more optimized and efficient distribution network.

The building will feature 40-foot clear height, 48 dock doors, two drive-in doors, 150 trailer parking spots and 450 vehicle parking spots. This second distribution facility will allow Hallmark to expand its footprint in Liberty by fifty percent. The building is slated for completion in February 2023 at which time Hallmark anticipates more than 1,200 full-time employees working between its two facilities and about 150 seasonal part-time employees.

Liberty Heartland Logistics Center is a multi-building development located in a desirable area offering nearby access to Interstate 35 and U.S. Highway 69.

Opus also has plans for two more buildings on the site. Buildings B and C will be a 572,000-square-foot cross-dock building and a 239,000-square-foot rear load building, which can be customized for a prospective tenant's needs.

Opus is the developer, design-builder, interior designer, architect and structural engineer of record. Mark Long, John Hassler and Scott Bluhm with Newmark Zimmer are marketing Buildings B and C for build-to-suit to own or lease.

About The Opus Group
The Opus Group® is a family of commercial real estate development, construction and design companies headquartered in Minneapolis with offices and projects across the country. Opus operates as an integrated, multidisciplinary team with expertise in development, capital markets and finance; project management and construction; and architecture and engineering. The Opus Group includes Opus Holding, L.L.C. and its operating subsidiaries: Opus Development Company, L.L.C., Opus Design Build, L.L.C. and Opus AE Group, L.L.C. Specializing in industrial, office, residential, retail and institutional projects, Opus has broad capabilities, deep experience and a proven design-build model that delivers solutions for customers on time and on budget. For more information, visit www.opus-group.com and follow The Opus Group on LinkedIn and Instagram.

• More about Hallmark at Liberty Heartland Logistics Center