Due to the building’s location in downtown Duluth adjacent to Lake Superior, the structure was required to meet Exposure D wind loads. To address this high wind load, MBJ designed a more significant lateral system than a typical 11-story building would require. The structural systems are cast-in-place, post-tensioned concrete on Levels 1-7 and steel-framed slab on metal deck on Levels 8-11, as well as the roof. The transition from a post-tensioned concrete parking facility to a steel office building required significant coordination at the interface between the two. The elevator core was surrounded by braced frames at the office levels, while the braced frames were embedded into the concrete core at the parking levels due to the high Exposure D wind loads. MBJ also utilized rock anchors to assist with resisting overturing at shear walls.

The foundation is shallow drilled piers bearing on high-capacity bedrock. The building’s location on a significant hill presented a fair amount of unbalanced earth pressures that required perimeter basement/retaining walls at the up-hill side of the site for resistance. While the front entrance to the building is at Level 1, the parking access is at Level 2 from the adjacent street. A covered entrance to the parking was built between two historic buildings along with a bridge over an alley to access the parking facility. Significant coordination was also required to tie the building to two existing skyways.

The LEED Silver-certified headquarters features reclaimed materials and substantial glass windows on the upper levels that let in natural light.