Thornhill Mercedez-Benz relocates, expands with energy efficient design The new 132,000 sq. ft. Thornhill Mercedez-Benz dealership that opened June 22 offers greater display capabilities, improved customer service and an energy-efficient design. Richard Ziegler Architect designed the building at 228 Steeles Ave. W., while Fieldgate Construction Management Ltd. was the project's general contractor. Steelcon Fabrication Inc. provided steel fabrication and detailing for the relocation and expansion of the corporate dealership that originally opened in 1988. Two buildings on the 3.2 acre site were demolished in Nov. 2013 to make way for the new structure with three levels, two above-ground and one below. The lower level includes an 18 bay service department and 118 underground inventory parking spots. Fieldgate senior project manager James Ricchetti says the lo- cation and the lower level requirements created significant chal- lenges. “The basement is 20 ft. high. We were removing 100 loads of dirt a day for more than four months to get the site cleared and there was no one (disposal) site that could handle the volume so that meant using different sites and co-ordinating details.” Since the building is tight to all four property lines, he says noth- ing much else could be done during excavation work given the space and traffic control required. A news release announcing the project said the new dealership would include “ample space over two floors, incorporating an ex- tensive new and pre-owned vehicle showroom totaling 36,000 sq. ft.” The basement area service bays Ricchetti says were necessary to meet the required showroom and parking spaces. He says LED lighting has been used to make the space bright, sound diffusion technology has been installed and pictures displaying various cars are on display. “When you’re down there, it doesn’t feel at all like a basement.” 50 – July-August 2015 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report