St. Catherine University Butler Center & Fontbonne

The Butler Center expansion was a three-story, 31,500-square-foot addition, creating space for:

• varsity locker rooms and lounge space
• a cardio room with new fitness equipment
• a dance studio
• a multi-purpose training center

The transformation of Fontbonne Hall included 10,000 square feet of renovation and created additional classroom space. New elevators, a third-floor skyway and a redesigned entry enhance the buildings' accessibility and security.

Early Price and Schedule Commitment Delivered

A commitment to an early guaranteed maximum price (GMP) and ability to deliver on a tight schedule were key to the project's success. As the University's board was discussing the expansion and renovation, our design-build associates and University representatives collaborated on the design, allowing construction to commence just three weeks after the board approved the project.

"Reaching a guaranteed maximum price agreement eases budget pressures. The GMP agreement allowed me to focus clearly on the whole project instead of how every decision that I made impacted the bottom line." – Jim Manship, Director of Facilities Management for St. Catherine University

Additionally, our deep experience in institutional design-build projects allowed us to phase and schedule all of the construction to meet the University’s phased deadlines, while also accommodating its class and semester schedule.

The renovation of Fontbonne Hall was completed prior to the start of the fall 2014 semester. The Butler Center expansion was completed in February 2015.