Non-Profit Case Study - Coral Gables Chamber

The Common Area is experienced in managing through various project types across multiple industries and build out building out requirements from office to industrial, medical, & higher education and even government projects, infrastructure, and ground-up development work. Each client type has different needs that need to be focused on based on unique challenges and needs. Non-profit organizations are in particularly high need. We have built a practice area around supporting our community - managing their projects so that they can stay focused on their mission. The Common Area is experienced in managing through various project types across multiple industries and build out building out requirements from office to industrial, medical, & higher education and even government projects, infrastructure, and ground-up development work. Each client type has different needs that need to be focused on based on unique challenges and needs.

Non-profit organizations are in particularly high need. We have built a practice area around supporting our community - managing their projects so that they can stay focused on their mission.

Goal Alignment:

For non-profit organizations, we begin with budget management conversations knowing that resources are often limited while the needs are significant. We quickly jump in to identify the client's priorities, define the scope of work, and correct expectations on timing and costs immediately so that the leadership team is prepared. Often the board of directors needs to be adequately informed throughout, and it helps when everyone agrees on the project schedule and projected costs.

As project managers, we gain stakeholder agreement on goals through a project charter and then get to work by limiting the risks to these client teams.

Relationships & The Mission Matter:

They always matter with a non-profit client; they are constantly tapping the market for fundraising and benefit greatly. When we can bring the designers, engineers, vendors, contractors, consultants, and property management teams on board with the mission of the organization and provide materials, equipment, furniture, and services at a discounted rate.

Through years of collaboration with our preferred vendors, we know who to go to for various projects and use our relationships in the market to help these non-profit organizations get the most out of their limited funds yet into space they are incredibly proud of. In turn, these spaces re-energize the mission, the staff, the beneficiaries, and their supporters. These industry partners can give back and be recognized for their contributions as well – which feels great!

We are proud to highlight a few active non-profit projects we are working on. Please reach out to us if you work with an organization going through a real estate transaction and need our expertise and support. We save our clients more than we cost them through proper planning, relationships/negotiation power, and the aggravation of the process and draw on their staff's time. This allows them to focus on what's essential – their mission!

Case Study:

Coral Gables Chamber Of Commerce

The mission of the organization:

The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce's primary purpose is to advance the business success and member engagement in Coral Gables and beyond through our commitment to inclusiveness, relevancy, and integrity. Founded in 1925 by Coral Gables visionary George E. Merrick, the Chamber is comprised of businesses and professionals whose goal is to expand the local economy. The Chamber hosts a variety of events each month, creating an opportunity for business leaders to network, connect, and strengthen their relationships.

Project Goals:

The Chamber has occupied their current space for 15 years, and they have outgrown it. Eager to create the Chamber of their dreams, we engaged with the landlord's architect and our project consultants to plan their space for every last detail. As a landlord buildout, it was also important to establish clear communication lines and decision-making processes and advocate for our client through the buildout to avoid change orders and delays.

Mark Trowbridge, the chamber president, planned the project budget and began validating all of his assumptions, creating a schedule, and providing the design team with feedback. We also selected furniture, Audio Visual components, storage shelving, accessories, and decorative light fixtures.

With COVID-19 hitting Florida right when we were ready for permitting, we hit a few setbacks but have rebounded and are now full steam ahead on the construction of this community center.

Team:

Leasing Negotiations: Thad Adams, The Allen Morris Company
Owners Rep Project Management Services: The Common Area
Architect: Leotta Designers Inc
Design Support: Anabella Smith, Zyscovich
Audio Visual: Cristina and Henry Miller, Intermedia Touch
IT Infrastructure: Ildefonso Balart, C3 Connect
Furniture: Danny Garcia, WrkLab

Non- Profit Case Study The World Trade Center Miami

Featured Work: The World Trade Center Miami

The World Trade Center Miami is part of the preeminent global trade organization promoting two-way international trade, fostering and enhancing international business opportunities for companies in the western hemisphere.

Moving from an outdated and dark space at the Port of Miami to a new space in the Blue Lagoon area of Miami, the WTCM team needed help so that they could keep their eyes on their organization’s mission and not be distracted by the details and management of the move and build-out.

That’s where The Common Area comes in.

The Project:

This new ground floor space includes huge windows, exterior branding signage rights, and will give WTCM the opportunity of a total face lift and allow their office space to become a resource to their client base and community through shared office space, rentable conference rooms, and fully loaded audio visual components.

Our Role:

We establish project goals, prepare leadership for meetings with the board of directors for budget approvals and collaborate with the landlord’s design and construction teams as drawings are being developed. After this, we engage with furniture procurement, audio visual and IT consultants, and the architect to further define scope and begin developing the permit set of plans.

This project is underway for expected launch in 2021.

Mission:

The World Trade Center Miami is a member of the World Trade Centers Association which is the preeminent global trade organization promoting two-way trade. There are 332 World Trade Centers located in over 89 countries with a total membership of 2 million corporate members and associates. In the Western Hemisphere, there are more than 60 World Trade Centers either in operation or in the planning and/or construction stage.

For more than 33 years, the World Trade Center Miami (WTCM) has facilitated international commerce in Miami-Dade County. Through trade shows, missions, special events, educational programs and other forms of assistance, the WTCM has played a leading role in spurring the growth of the region's most important economic sector, generating more than $3.8 billion in reported international sales and stimulating the formation of thousands of new jobs.

As a powerful voice for business growth and economic prosperity, the WTCM is dedicated to leading South Florida into a new era of international trade. Guided by our Board of Directors and assisted by our community partners, our Center helps companies connect with the world and contributes to our regional economy. The World Trade Center Miami’s mission is to promote Miami as the Trade & Logistics Hub of the Americas. The World Trade Center Miami, Florida's oldest global organization, fosters and enhances international business opportunities for companies in the western hemisphere.

Project goals:

The world trade center has occupied a very outdated and dark space at the Port of Miami which negatively effected employee and member moral so when their lease was up for renewal, they elected to move to Blue Lagoon area of Miami where they are on a ground floor space with huge windows and exterior branding signage rights. This new space will give them the opportunity of a total face lift and allow their office space to become a resource to their client base & community through shared office space, rentable conference rooms and fully loaded audio visual components. Jumping into it all, they realized they were in over their heads, and needed a help so that they could keep their eyes on their organizations mission and not be overly distracted by the details and management of the project.

The Common Area was referred to World Trade Center by another non-profit Client, The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce (Refer to link for case study on that project) and we stepped in right away to help establish project goals, prepare leadership for meetings with board of directors for budget approvals and collaborate with the landlords design and construction teams as drawings were being developed. After this, we engaged with furniture procurement, audio visual and IT consultants, and the architect to further define scope and begin developing the permit set of plans.

Team:

Owners Rep Project Management: Maureen Mascaro, The Common Area

Project Manager: Arturo Diaz, The Common Area

Landlord Representatives: Grace Valdivia, Duanne Jordan, Colliers International  
Walter Robinson, Robinson CRE

Architect: Jorge Claro

Furniture Procurement Services: Steve Burgos, Jorge Bernal & Cynthia Sarria, Gensler

Audio Visual, IT Infrastructure & Furniture: (Pending)

General Contractor: (Pending)