New G.A. Gertmenian Headquarters Complete in Lincoln Heights Area of L.A.
LOS ANGELES – A modern new headquarters for fourth generation accent and area rug importer/wholesaler G. A. Gertmenian & Sons that revitalizes a heretofore dormant site in the Lincoln Heights area of Los Angeles while providing the company “a platform for growth”, has been completed, announces Oltmans Construction Co., the general contractor.
The new 150,000 square foot design and build facility by Whittier, CA-based Oltmans Construction Co. occupies a four-acre site at 300 W. Avenue 33 just north of downtown Los Angeles and immediately east of the 110 Freeway.
Mark Bergman, project manager for Oltmans Construction Co., said the structurally upgraded concrete tilt-up Type ll FR (Fire Resistive) building features extensive steel enhancements. He noted that the entire roof structure is constructed with wide flange beams and metal decking with rigid insulation and built-up roofing.
Also featured are key energy conservation elements, notably a large warehouse lit by skylights comprising 3.6 percent of the floor area and offices equipped with motorized interior sun shades.
Additionally, the new facility provides approximately 25,000 square feet of mezzanine offices and showroom visitor mezzanine parking, two truck yards equipped with 10-foot high vertical lift security gates, and a 7500 pound freight elevator. The building’s warehouse also provides 30-foot minimum clear height. On-site employee parking, secured by automatic sliding gates controlled by a card key, is included.
The move to the new Lincoln Heights headquarters for G. A. Gertmenian & Sons, after being in downtown Los Angeles since 1925, included consolidating two off-site warehouses in East Los Angeles and City of Commerce .
With origins over 112 years ago in upstate New York where Senior Partner Tom Gertmenian’s grandfather launched the company, G. A. Gertmenian & Sons has evolved into a high volume rug distributor serving some of the nation’s largest retailers.
Tom Gertmenian said: “The partners of our company live nearby in Pasadena and San Marino and most employees live in Los Angeles or nearby. Our new building provides jobs for the area and short commute times for most employees. The Gold Line is adjacent to the location and convenient. We now have a platform for growth into the future. We feel the building is state- of-the-art for today’s warehousing and distribution for a business of our scale. The new building represents a long term, sustained growth of the family business, stable employment for many and a modern, well planned working environment.”
The company’s new headquarters revitalizes a former industrial site that had been vacant and dormant. The former owner remediated the site and prepared the land to once again become productive, according to Gertmenian. Approximately 75 people are employed at the site. HPA of Irvine was the architect.