The new Kia headquarters is "a complex project that presented our team with numerous challenges, design changes and permitting delays," says Matt Vujovich, project executive for Snyder Langston. He says that despite the obstacles, Snyder Langston plans to deliver the project in December, four months ahead of schedule.

The new facility, at 111 Peters Canyon, will serve as the North American headquarters for Kia Motors America, which is now in 153,000-sf of leased space owned by the Irvine Co. at 9801 Muirlands Blvd. in the Irvine Spectrum, between Alton Road and Bake Parkway. Kia Motors America is the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Korea's Kia Motors Corp., based in Seoul.

Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, the new facility will consist of three buildings joined at the lobby by an all-glass, third-floor "floating" bridge. The east and west buildings are two-story structures. Kia's headquarters will include a centralized data center for its North American operations and an employee fitness center, with extensive landscaping, including a 55,000-sf reflection pool.

The project is being developed with Snyder Langston providing preconstruction services for Kia Motors America and Studley in addition to serving as general contractor for the facility.