Window Furnishings Firm Breaks Ground for 499,000-SF Facility

FREEPORT, IL-Newell Window Furnishings/Kirsch has broken ground on a 499,000-sf facility in Freeport, IL. FCL Builders Inc. is the general contractor; CenterPoint Properties Trust is the developer. Freeport, with a population of 26,000 is located west of Rockford, IL in Stephenson County.

The window fashions arm of Newell Rubbermaid Inc., Newell Window Furnishings/Kirsch is a manufacturer of drapery hardware, sconces, scarfholders, swagholders, brackets, window shades, rods and finials. Newell Rubbermaid Inc. is a multi-national manufacturer and marketer of high-volume, long-life cycle, branded, consumer products. The firm acquired the Kirsch line in 1997. It also acquired DelMar and LouverDrape in 1994, forming a separate division, Levolor Home Fashions.

The facility will be located at Baleyville Road and South Street. The precast structure will feature 30 exterior truck docks with levelers and dock seals, 182 parking stalls and an ESFR sprinkler system. Knock out panels will also be installed for future expansion. About 10,000 sf will be dedicated for office use, 1,000 sf for a dock office, with the remaining 488,200 sf for warehouse space.Chris Paxson, partner and senior project manager, Jeremy Blanton, assistant project manager, and Dave Michaelsen, superintendent, will supervise the construction for FCL. Harn Construction is the local consulting contractor, with Howard Glispie superintendent for the project. David L. Jenkins & Associates is project architect. Bill Fausone of Colliers, Bennett & Kahnweiler Inc. represented Newell in the transaction.