New Sheetz HQ Is Made to Order: Take a Peek
By Greg Lindenberg on Feb. 07, 2017CLAYSBURG, Pa. -- Convenience-store retailer Sheetz Inc. is moving its headquarters from Altoona, Pa., to a new office complex and operation center in Claysburg, Pa.
The project by CDI Studio One, the architecture division of L.R. Kimball, a CDI Co., includes a 115,000-square-foot modern headquarters and operation center and an adjacent 13,000-square-foot day care center.
The design evolved from a dynamic partnership between the architects and engineers and Sheetz employees, according to CDI Studio One.
“Sheetz is a rapidly growing company that cares about its employees,” said Gary Lapera, principal for CDI Studio One, “which is why it is consistently named among Fortune’s Best Places to Work. … This project will continue to evolve with the Sheetz upward trajectory.”
The building is situated between two protected wetlands. Its plan is based on a simple, flexible, rectangular floor plan, reminiscent of the agrarian structures that dot the western Pennsylvania landscape. The dining experience is conceived as a lodge, an independent pavilion that extends into the lawn. A large, southern-facing glazed porch obscures the boundary between interior and exterior, which encourages people to experience nature during the workday.
The first floor features test kitchens and a dining room with exposed timber columns and a natural stone, gas-burning fireplace against an outside wall. The chimney is shared with a wood-burning fireplace on the outside patio, used for special events. Data center and training rooms also are on the first floor.
The second and third floors are devoted to flexible open-plan offices, with conference rooms and common open spaces to encourage collaboration and camaraderie. Above the first floor, a mezzanine will accommodate future expansion.
Adjacent to the headquarters, the new day care center is a one-story wood-framed structure with a pitched roof, reminiscent of homes in the region. The entryway features a magnetic message center, family conference room, stroller storage and access to a large multipurpose room and children’s library. The nine classrooms for infants to preschoolers are equipped with a toilet-training room, countertop sinks and storage. Each classroom has an exterior door leading to a fenced playground and natural play area.
“This landmark office complex accurately reflects our corporate objectives,” said Richard Cyman, vice president of design and construction for Sheetz. “It is progressive, innovative, sustainable and the process was truly collaborative. It is an effective tool for helping us to realize our goals for the next 60 years.”
Sheetz operates more than 500 convenience stores throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, Maryland and Virginia. Established in 1952 in Altoona, it has more than $7.2 billion in revenue and more than 17,000 employees. The stores offer fresh food such as Made to Order (MTO) subs, sandwiches, burgers, premium salads, appetizers, breakfast sandwiches and more. They also feature MTGo! ready-to-eat foods and Shweetz Bakery lines of doughnuts and muffins, along with Sheetz Bros. Coffeez, a full-service espresso and smoothie bar where customers can order handmade specialty coffee drinks.