Corporate Office and Data Center completed on time and within budget while addressing project challenges

MINNEAPOLIS (March 11, 2010) – Ryan Companies US, Inc. recently completed two projects for Advance Auto Parts, providing the company with a new corporate office and a data center designed to meet current and future data storage needs for many years to come. Both projects were completed within the customer’s timeline, even after scheduling construction around spaces that were continuously occupied by employees.

“When we moved into our new offices in Bloomington, we really wanted our space to reflect the company’s values and culture, without breaking the bank,” said Steve Eddings, Vice President of Facilities Management, Advance Auto Parts. “The end result is simply fantastic – we now have a space that inspires our employees and Keeps the Wheels Turning.”

A leading company in the automotive aftermarket, Advance Auto Parts serves do-it-yourselfers and professional mechanics with more than 3,400 retail stores nationwide. It called on Ryan’s interior designers and construction team to deliver 42,000 square feet of remodeled space that complements Advance Auto’s brand – from architectural elements that evoke speed and movement, to the color palette of red, black, gray and yellow. The break rooms, board room and employee workstations are characteristic of a car shop where tools hang from the walls.

One significant challenge Ryan faced was executing this high-impact vision with minimal impact on the employees who were already working in the space. Ryan’s integrated project approach allowed for a phased construction schedule, with Ryan self-performing much of the work to ensure the schedule was maintained with minimal disruption to Advance Auto’s employees.

Even with the emphasis on design and style, Ryan’s design team still saw opportunities to integrate green strategies throughout the space. By eliminating much of the interior walled offices, the entire space can leverage the building’s existing floor-to-ceiling windows and three-story atrium to flood the entire space with natural light. The specified carpet system features energy-efficient waste-free flooring with recycled backing; to add an industrial edge to the space, certain sections of concrete flooring were polished.

As that project gained steam, Advance Auto came to Ryan with another project, this time in Roanoke, Virginia: renovating a portion of an existing shopping mall into a data center. The mission critical data center features 5,000 square feet of raised floor space with approximately 1,500 square feet of mechanical and electrical support. Ryan’s architects created a design that not only meets Advance Auto’s current needs, but also can accommodate expansion for future growth.

“Ryan’s entire team was truly service-driven and professional throughout the entire process,” said Tom Drapac, Vice President of Design and Development, Real Estate for Advance Auto Parts. “From the moment we contacted their offices for initial estimates, to the programming and design throughout the entire construction process, the Ryan team has partnered with us and steered this project to success.”

The data center project was not without its hurdles. The building was not designed to support mission critical infrastructure. The timeline was also quite limited for a structure of this type: where most data centers are built in a 12-month time frame, this project progressed from initial thoughts to fully operational in 11 months, while employees still conducted their day-to-day work within the space. To make the most of their limited time and building resources, Ryan conducted a field verification and structural analysis of existing conditions. Using information from each analysis, Ryan executed an integrated project delivery approach that made the most of cost- and schedule-saving opportunities in the design and configuration of the space.

About Advance Auto Parts
Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts, a leading automotive aftermarket retailer of parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items in the United States, serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets. As of January 2, 2010, the Company operated 3,420 stores in 39 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Additional information about the Company, employment opportunities, customer services, and on-line shopping for parts and accessories can be found on the Company’s web site at www.AdvanceAutoParts.com.

About Ryan Companies, US, Inc.
Ryan Companies US, Inc., a nationally recognized developer, design-builder and real estate manager, has specialized in fully integrated solutions for more than 70 years. Ryan builds lasting relationships with a project delivery model based on full-service customized solutions and total collaboration – pairing the customer’s needs and expectations with the talents of a team of developers, financiers, architects, engineers, constructors and property managers. In addition to its Minneapolis office, Ryan has offices in Chicago, Phoenix, San Diego, Tampa, Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Des Moines. Ryan was named the 2007 National Developer of the Year by the National Association of Office and Industrial Properties (NAIOP).

Editor’s note: Interviews with Ryan executives are available by contacting Madeline Riggs at 612-455-1755 or mriggs@psbpr.com.