Project Heat

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Award: High Performance

Project Team

Owner: Logistics Property Company, LLC

Contractor: Walsh Construction

Architect: Ware Malcomb.

Engineer: DCI Engineers

Concrete: Prairie Materials

Slag Cement: St Marys Cement

Located in Chicago’s North Branch Industrial Corridor, Project Heat is a true architectural pioneer. As the first modern multi-level industrial warehouse in the Midwest, it brings a design typically seen in high-density global hubs like Singapore or Tokyo right to the heart of the Windy City. This 1.2 million square foot facility uses a stacked, two-story design to allow 53 foot long semi-trucks access to both floors, maximizing space on a compact 11-acre footprint near the Kennedy Expressway.

To bring this massive "spec" project to life, the team placed over 73,000 cubic yards of concrete across a wide variety of applications, from post-tensioned truck docks to slabs on metal decks. Slag cement was the supplementary material of choice for the stakeholders and investors, providing the high-performance durability and low permeability required for such a heavy-duty logistical hub.

The logistical benefits of slag cement were proven throughout the year-round construction cycle. Even during the challenging Chicago winter, the post-tensioned deck mixes consistently met the early strength requirements needed to keep the project on schedule. The long-term results were equally impressive: while the design called for 8,750 psi, the slag-integrated mixes consistently exceeded 9,500 psi.

Beyond its structural muscle, slag cement offered significant architectural and environmental advantages. Its signature lighter color provided a beautiful contrast to the building’s painted features, while its use alongside CarbonCure technology and high-strength reinforcement minimized the project’s overall carbon footprint. Already a winner of multiple industry impact awards, Project Heat stands as a landmark of sustainable, vertical innovation in American industrial construction.

Application Type

Application Type	Post-Tensioned Deck Mix (mix 8750)	Various other mixes – slab on ground, slab on metal deck, sidewalks, footers, etc. County Materials also provided pre-cast walls (not included below)
% Slag Cement Replacement	12.5% slag (25% SCM total)	~0 to 25% SCM
% Portland Cement
% Portland Limestone Cement	75% St Marys Charlevoix PLC	~75-85% typ. Minimal 100% PLC
% Other SCM (if applicable)	12.5% Oak Creek Class C Fly Ash Carbon Cure	Class C Ash, Silica Fume, Carbon Cure Lightweight slab on metal deck: 14% slag & 4% silica fume, 0.38 w/c.
Aggregate	CM11 Limestone, FM20 Sand
Water/cement ratio	0.27	0.27-0.45
7-day strengths	3000 psi required @ 24 hr	Varied
28-day strengths	8750 @ 56 day	Varied