Aviation Design-Build Firm Develops Elite FBO at PDX
Centrex Construction Inc. recently completed Atlantic Aviation’s 12-acre campus at PDX; a five-star fixed base operator servicing corporate travelers at the Portland International Airport. With 65 FBO’s nationwide, Atlantic Aviation takes pride in opening a new PDX facility amongst the “…clean air, green trees, and clear lakes and rivers Portland has to offer.”
The jet facility features a central 12,000 SF FBO flanked by two 30,000 SF hangars. In a span of just 20 months, Centrex led the facility from zero design definition to occupancy while working with both the City and Port of Portland.
JRMA, the architect and structural engineer of record, partnered with Centrex to complete the corporate outpost. Both Centrex and JRMA are members of the National Business Aviation Association and together, know the immense amount of nuanced detail that is necessary when designing and building an aviation facility. Recently featured on the cover of Professional Pilot Magazine’s NBAA issue themselves, Centrex has owned business aircraft for years and understand from an owner/operator perspective, the steps that must be taken during the development process to make a hangar, FBO, or MRO project all the more efficient. President of JRMA, Dan Bianco states, “While we enjoy being able to capture the vision and drivers unique to each project, at the same time, we also advise our clients on decisions that benefit both the short-term ROI and the longevity of the facility.” JRMA and Centrex have now successfully partnered on several projects and look forward to continuing their relationship as the preferred aviation development and design team on the west coast.
From the moment guests exit their aircraft, a first-class experience can be expected at Atlantic Aviation PDX, the first private development at PDX in over 15 years.
“It only makes sense to have a seamless transition from a high-end corporate aircraft into a facility of the same level," said Jon Wenrich, head of aviation development for Centrex. Whether you find yourself gazing through the beautiful floor-to-ceiling glass walls, or admiring the custom-fabricated, local, arching glulam beams, it’s the attention to detail, Northwest accents, and all-around quality finishes that can be seen covering every inch of the space. All three buildings also utilize daylight harvesting as well as LED motion sensing lights. Interior designer, Marilee Wintz, from Sage Interiors, helped complete the look with statements such as sculpted panels along two stone fireplaces, cut glass art pieces, and gorgeous conference room tables made from authentic African wenge wood.
When it comes to the actual hangar space, features like floating hangar doors from Door Engineering, and a white, mirror-finished, epoxy floor further expand upon the impressive experience travelers enjoy in the FBO. All design aspects of the hangars are purposeful and designed to accentuate the beauty and functionality of the aircrafts.
