Overview

Apex Plaza is Virginia’s first and tallest large-scale mass timber commercial building, delivered as a 265,000-square-foot mixed-use development in downtown Charlottesville, VA. The project includes 151,000 square feet of Class A office space, a 102,000-square-foot podium concrete parking structure, and 6,800 square feet of ground-level retail, replacing a surface parking lot with a fully leased, high-performance office environment.

The building’s primary structural system is a cross-laminated timber (CLT) frame composed of sustainably harvested wood products. The mass timber system was selected for its structural efficiency, fire performance, and environmental benefits. In comparison to conventional steel or concrete alternatives, the CLT structure delivers an estimated carbon benefit of approximately 3,000 metric tons through material substitution and long-term carbon storage. The timber elements also enabled precision fabrication and single-trade erection, contributing to improved construction sequencing and schedule efficiency.

Apex Plaza integrates multiple on-site sustainability strategies aligned with Cradle to Cradle design principles. The project incorporates 875 roof- and canopy-mounted photovoltaic panels sized to generate an amount of electricity equivalent to the annual consumption of the lead office tenant, resulting in net-zero electrical use. A vegetated green roof supports stormwater management and urban biodiversity, while exposed mass timber and daylight-driven planning support a biophilic workplace environment.

From a delivery standpoint, the project was executed through an integrated design-build-owner model, with Hourigan acting as owner, developer, construction manager, and occupant. This approach enabled early alignment between design intent, constructability, and cost control, while effectively managing risk associated with innovative building systems. The project was delivered in close collaboration with William McDonough + Partners, whose expertise in sustainable design informed both material selection and performance-driven decision-making.

Apex Plaza demonstrates that large-scale mass timber construction in urban environments can successfully integrate sustainability, energy performance, and architectural quality.