At more than one-million square feet on the waterfront in The Bronx, New York, 2505 Bruckner is the largest logistics center in the tri-state area. Tenants include Amazon and Home Depot.

The multi-level facility is strategically located at the intersection of five major highways, including the Cross-Bronx Expressway, the Hutchinson River Parkway, and the Bruckner Expressway. This places the facility within a 15-mile radius of nearly 9.5-million people.

When it came time to select materials for the building envelope of the expansive facility, Metl-Span insulated metal panels quickly became the preferred solution based on their versatility and performance characteristics.  

Massive Footprint, Compressed Time Frame
2505 Bruckner’s sheer size was one of the key considerations for architects, planners, and specifiers. The two-level facility has more than 100 loading docks and 125 spaces for box trucks, and it includes entrance and exit ramps for tractor trailers on both levels. The building’s tall ceilings accommodate modern vertical racking systems that can reach as high as 32 feet, and the roof is fashioned to accommodate drone deliveries.

Facing a compressed construction timeline, project managers needed to deliver an exterior cladding solution that was attractive, energy efficient, and easy to install. Metl-Span offered solutions that met all key criteria.

“The selection and installation processes were hassle free, and the finished project turned out better than we imagined”, said Brent Schmitt, project manager at BAMCO, the installer on the project. “This was a cost-effective solution for us that we could deliver on time without sacrificing performance quality.”

To create a modern look for the facility, designers specified CF Architectural 3-inch panels in Metallic Fusion on two corners of the warehouse and areas surrounding building entrances and office spaces. CF Architectural panels offer a thicker-gauge facing for a high-profile, monolithic appearance. The panels eliminate the need for metal flashings with trimless ends and pre-formed corners, allowing design freedom for architects. Panels contain a foam core encapsulated by two steel facings for an all-in-one building envelope solution, eliminating the need for additional insulation.

The design team also specified CF Light Mesa in Igloo White. Well suited for exterior and interior walls and ideal for commercial and industrial applications, the insulated metal panel utilizes concealed clips.

In all, crews installed more than 16,000 square feet of Metl-Span products on the building’s exterior. Installation occurred in the fall of 2021, and 2505 Bruckner began full operations in the summer of 2022.

Top Honors
In the fall of 2022, Metl-Span officially named 2505 Bruckner as its building of the year. Chosen each year following a survey conducted by Metl-Span teammates, the Building of the Year program honors the innovative work and collaboration amongst architects and other construction professionals to bring compelling, smartly designed, energy-efficient buildings to life.

“2505 Bruckner stands apart as a modern urban logistics hub, one that provides unparalleled access to the greater New York City region and Connecticut for companies seeking to distribute products in that area,” said Mike Weaver, East Region sales manager, Metl-Span. “It was critical for the design of this building to make a bold statement, and Metl-Span is proud that our products created a dynamic, energy-efficient building envelope for the structure.”

As the winner of the “Building of the Year” competition, 2505 Bruckner adorned the cover of a commemorative book developed by Metl-Span that was distributed to sales representatives, customers, partners, and Metl-Span teammates.