High Concrete Completes Parking Deck for New Jersey Ikea Store

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High Concrete Completes Parking Deck for New Jersey Ikea Store

High Concrete Structures, Inc. has recently completed a three-level precast concrete parking deck to serve the new Ikea store in Paramus, New Jersey. Construction of the garage and a 450,000-square-foot retail center/warehouse was overseen by construction manager Skanska USA Building, Inc. The facility opened in late July.

The project is part of a major North American expansion for the Swedish home-furnishings giant, and will be one of 50 new locations to open during the next 10 years. The garage will deliver 3,287 parking spaces on the two elevated levels and the ground level beneath. Framing efficiency was achieved by using High Concrete's signature 15-foot MEGA TEES, as well as custom 12-foot tees, made by scaling back the typical 15-foot wide floor member.

For John Dolan, project director for Skanska USA, High Concrete's ability to keep the project moving despite steady snowfall was invaluable. "High Concrete and the erector have done an amazing job. I don't think 45 inches of snow impacted us more than half a day." He adds that despite the winter's inclement weather, precast was easy and safe to handle, "unlike steel, which becomes slippery and icy when wet."

High Concrete Structures, Inc. recently completed a three-level precast concrete parking deck with 3,287 parking spaces for the new Ikea store in Paramus, New Jersey.

Architecture and engineering services were provided by Desman Associates, Inc. According to Desman senior associate Bob Weissenborn, precast concrete was clearly the right material for the job. "The project benefits from precast durability and the high quality of architectural precast as an economical value for the client."

One of the distinctive features of the Paramus Ikea parking deck is the use of 60-foot-wide speed ramps to move traffic from level to level, leaving the parking surface itself unsloped. The ramps simplify the internal framing of the garage, enhancing comfort for patrons and eliminating the hazard posed by large shopping carts on inclined surfaces.

A distinctive feature of the Ikea parking deck is the use of 60-foot-wide speed ramps to move traffic from level to level, leaving the parking surface itself unsloped enhancing the comfort for patrons and eliminating the hazard posed by large shopping carts on inclined surfaces.

The garage has a two-tone architectural finish - white overall, with contrasting gray to create a shadow effect on some elements of the ramps. The owner wanted to keep the design of the deck relatively simple, to assure that it not divert attention from the big blue presence of the Ikea store itself.

High Concrete Structures, Inc., is the nation's leading producer of precast concrete parking garages. The company produces and erects high quality industrial/commercial wall panels, architectural facade systems and precast components for parking structures, office buildings, distribution centers, stadiums and arenas, schools and prisons. A division of High Industries, Inc., High Concrete Structures, Inc. serves the Mid-Atlantic region and Northeastern U.S.