It’s true, 2020 was full of many ups and downs for a lot of people. From social distancing and working from home to modifying safe practices, KWA has put forth their best efforts given the circumstances. With groundbreakings, completions, awards and even company events, the year was anything but dull. With 2020 at an end and a hopeful 2021 begun, we reflect on and appreciate all of our team members, vendors and industry partners that have helped make KWA a success.
KWA Construction team members practicing social distancing at the office
Take a walk down memory lane with us as we relive some of the many exciting moments from the past year and join us in 2021 for much more to come!
Awards and Recognition
Dallas Business Journal’s 2020 40 Under 40 Award
Last year, our President Brian Webster was selected as one of Dallas Business Journal’s 2020 “40 Under 40” honorees, a prestigious award given to North Texas business professionals excelling in their current roles and making valuable contributions to their respective organizations. Brian’s recent accomplishments made him a standout candidate in a pool of several hundred other young corporate executives, entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Brian Webster, President at KWA Construction
In recent years, our dedicated leader led KWA Construction to pursue higher-density, suburban developments, which in turn has doubled our average project value to $40 million. High-caliber projects such as Arlington Commons and Lewisville’s Hebron 121 Station have propelled an 80% revenue jump in the past two years.
KWA was also listed on Dallas Business Journal’s top “North Texas General Contractors” list, ranking No. 32 by revenue, and the “North Texas Family-Owned Businesses” list, rated No. 80 by number of employees.
Project Completions and Milestones
Kilby
What better way to kick off the year than with a top out? Our first top out event of 2020 was Kilby, a 279,288-square foot community in Frisco Square, one of the most anticipated mixed-use developments in Frisco, Texas. Developed by Toll Brothers Apartment Living, this four-story community will contain 258 units and is rapidly nearing completion!
Kilby rendering
With its vast offerings designed by HEDK Architects (previously known as BGO Architects), the community will feature a gaming lounge, a two-story fitness center with a yoga deck, pet spa and an outdoor patio with grills surrounding a resort-style pool. As part of the Frisco Square development, Kilby will neighbor offices, restaurants, specialty shops, medical facilities, entertainment and more, combining the best of live, work and play.
The Cooper
Another early top out of 2020 was The Cooper near Fort Worth’s medical district, just a walk away from some of the best dining and entertainment options. Best of all, this 386,124-square foot complex developed by Lang Partners was completed and is now open for leasing! Designed by GFF, The Cooper was built on two separate blocks connected by a sky-bridge overlooking Washington Avenue.
The Cooper rendering featuring the unique sky-bridge
With 390 units in studio, townhome, mezzanine and one-, two- and three-bedroom floorplans, these luxury units are fully amenitized to meet the modern needs of future residents. The sky-bridge isn’t just for looks but houses townhomes and one-bedroom units while providing a safe walkway to the garage, clubhouse, pool and other exciting amenities. Congratulations to The Cooper project team for taking this one to the finish line in style!
Columbia Renaissance Square- Phase II
Following a successful completion of Phase I, KWA broke ground on Phase II of Columbia Renaissance Square in May. The latest phase will consist of affordable independent senior living and mixed-income apartments. Developed by Columbia Residential, the complex is built around an award-winning community model developed by Purpose Built Communities, which provides a vibrant community and support services network.
Columbia Renaissance Square Phase II rendering
We are on track to complete the affordable yet upscale apartment homes of Columbia Renaissance Square by the end of the year. It will create a new thriving community with close access to schools, shops, services and transits. The open, spacious floor plans feature full-size kitchens, separate dining areas and designer-inspired finishes like vinyl plank flooring, ceramic tiles, and carpeted bedrooms.
The Village at Rayzor Ranch
In May, KWA wrapped construction on The Village at Rayzor Ranch, a luxury apartment community located in the heart of the mixed-use development Rayzor Ranch Town Center and the first of its kind in the Denton, Texas, area. The highly-walkable 400-acre planned development offers retail, restaurants, office space, a medical facility, a hotel, parks and entertainment venues. Developed by EPC Real Estate Group, the expansive four-story, 237,781-square foot apartment complex allows residents space to collaborate, connect, relax, stay fit, be entertained and succeed.
The Village at Rayzor Ranch featuring the resort-style pool
The Village at Rayzor Ranch features sought-after amenities like complimentary concierge services, a resort-style pool with pavilion and cabanas, cornhole boards, a massage and sauna spa, state-of-the-art fitness and yoga studio, coworking office studios and a dog park with a grooming station. Designed by Studio A Architecture, the development draws inspiration from the Texas Hill Country and houses 300 luxurious studio, one- and two-bedroom units. Great job to our project team for this beautiful and quality project completion!
Arlington Commons
In October, KWA topped out on Phase II of Arlington Commons, The Truman, part of one of the largest redevelopment projects in North Texas. Developed by the Nehemiah Company, Arlington Commons will span five phases to build approximately 1,300 units and add $250 million in economic value to the City of Arlington once all phases are complete in 2030. The Truman addition will be complete later in 2021 and will consist of a four-story, 358-unit building with a five-story covered parking garage.
Rendering of Arlington Commons Phase II–The Truman
Units will feature kitchens with two-toned, European-style cabinetry and stainless steel appliances, as well as soaking tubs, open and spacious floor plans with stunning city views from balconies or patios, and more. Future residents will be able to enjoy a resort-style swimming pool, outdoor grilling stations, a firepit, a game area with a ping pong table and corn hole, a wellness room and a fitness center featuring group classes, strength training equipment and cardio machines.
Austin College
Just in time for the 2020 fall semester, our team completed the second phase of The North Flats for the students at Austin College. The three-story building is 43,613 square feet with 38 additional units. Returning to the campus after nearly 10 years when KWA completed Phase I in 2011, which included Hass Village on Grand and The Flats at Brockett Court, demonstrates the enduring quality found in our projects and our lasting business relationship with our clients.
The North Flats at Austin College
Designed by Architecture Demarest, The North Flats match the style of the existing student housing to integrate the new apartments seamlessly into campus life. With bright colors and Victorian-style architecture, the facility provides the much-needed home-away-from-home that students often crave. Each unit includes one to four bedrooms, a full kitchen, washer and dryer, a living area and built-in workstations.
880 LYN
Most recently, KWA topped out on 880 LYN, a luxury waterfront community located on Lake Carolyn in the Las Colinas area of Irving, Texas. By blending quality construction with top-tier luxury and a prime location, this property will offer everything working professionals and young families desire in a home. Developed by Legacy Partners and HGC Investment Management, 880 LYN will offer 293 units ranging from 580-square foot studios to 1,945-square foot two-bedrooms.
Rendering of 880 LYN
880 LYN’s stunning lakeside views will be paired with a variety of vacation-like amenities including a resort-style pool and spa with grilling stations and private cabanas, and a two-story, high-grade cardio and strength fitness center with floor-to-ceiling glass walls. In addition, this community will have direct access to a new docking facility with water taxi service, paddle boards and kayaks for resident use.
Axiom HUB 121
Another spectacular completion was Axiom HUB 121. With original completion expected for December 2020, our project team completed this project three months ahead of schedule in September. This luxury community at the Craig Ranch master-planned development in McKinney, Texas, was developed by Seneca Investments. With 340,000 square feet and 246 units, Axiom HUB 121 is centered around premium shopping, dining and entertainment.
Axiom HUB 121
The one- and two-bedroom units offer residents high-end amenities including built-in smart home systems and upgraded kitchens with stainless steel appliances, high-grade granite countertops, built-in bottle storage and more. Community amenities include a multi-level salt water infinity pool with tanning ledge, a car wash facility, a rideshare lounge and sports lounge with a custom coffee bar. Additionally, residents can enjoy a 24-hour fitness center, bocce ball court, courtyard lounge area with a fire pit and a two-story luxury clubhouse with an outdoor terrace. A fantastic build from our project team!
Company Events
KWA Team at an elephant gift exchange
With a team like ours, there’s nothing we love to do more than get together and enjoy one another’s company. While 2020 forced us to change how we spend time, we still made the most of it. We kicked off the year with a virtual happy hour in March, where we got to catch up with one another – and no work conversation was allowed!
The KWA team hosted virtual meetings to stay connected
The holidays also gave us another opportunity to unite together as a team. This Halloween, with costumes and masks on and candy in hand, we visited a few of our jobsites to do a little bit of trick-or-treating. To celebrate Thanksgiving, we hosted a few lunches for our different project teams with all the traditional fixings. We are used to doing a big office celebration for the winter holidays; this year, we opted for an outdoor, social distanced white elephant gift exchange where everyone could be included safely.
KWA President spending Thanksgiving lunch with the project team
This year has been unforgettable in many ways, but sometimes some of the best things come during difficult times. Our multiple project completions, award recognition and cherished opportunities to connect with our clients and each other reminds us of this. We look forward to new beginnings in 2021.