California Construction News staff writer
Turner, alongside Sea Breeze Properties, California State University San Marcos (CSUSM), and Safdie Rabines Architects (SRA), recently celebrated the topping out of Discovery Hall & Wellness Center in San Marcos. The milestone marks the completion of the building’s structural concrete frame and a significant achievement for Turner’s Self-Perform team.
The 310,424 sq. ft. development is part of a mixed-use neighborhood in San Marcos designed around public spaces.
Framed by contemporary architecture, North City brings includes homes, workplaces, local restaurants, shops, and businesses.
During the ceremony, Turner project manager David Aguirre recognized the craft professionals, partners, and project team members whose collaboration made the milestone possible.
“This happens because of all the hard work, dedication, and craftsmanship of every person standing here today. This is a milestone that belongs to all of you,” he said.
Construction provided an opportunity to establish an integrated approach to delivering the concrete scope. The team integrated production tracking, financial management, scheduling, project controls, and field operations within the overall project structure.
This approach provided greater visibility into production and enabled field and project leadership to make informed decisions together as the work progressed. Through collaborative planning and optimized sequencing, the team saved an estimated two to three weeks on the structural concrete schedule, helping maintain momentum on an aggressive overall project schedule.
Delivering the structural concrete scope required careful planning and execution among Turner’s field teams and trade partners.
Two concrete placing booms helped crews maintain the production rates required to achieve the structural milestone. For the formwork operation, crews used the Atlas Formwork three-piece shoring system with prefabricated perimeter fly tables, helping streamline floor cycles and support consistent production from level-to-level.
The team also fabricated formwork panels onsite, providing greater control over production and quality while reducing trucking and material handling.
Another strategy involved incorporating Xypex crystalline waterproofing admixture directly into the concrete mix in applicable areas. The approach reduced the need for traditional exterior waterproofing, saving time on subsequent activities while supporting the structure’s long-term durability.
Throughout the structural concrete scope, Turner crews completed more than 60,000 work hours with zero recordable incidents. The achievement reflects the accountability and shared commitment to safety among craft professionals and project leadership throughout the work.
“What I am most proud of is how we built it,” said Jose De La Rosa, Project Superintendent. “We achieved this milestone while keeping safety first and sending every worker home safely to their families each day.”
The topping out was a celebration of the collaboration among Sea Breeze Properties, CSUSM, SRA, Turner, trade partners, craft professionals, and project staff who have worked together to advance the project.
“I’m amazed at how quickly and how well this building has gone up,” said Gary Levitt, President & Founder of Sea Breeze Properties. “Turner, thank you for everything that you do and the values that you bring and the teams that you bring to this project.”
With the structural concrete frame complete, Discovery Hall & Wellness Center is transitioning into exterior enclosure, MEP systems, and interior finishes. As work advances, the building will continue taking shape as a new residential, wellness, and student life destination for the CSUSM community.
“When you drive by this project years from now with your family, you can point to it and say, ‘That’s my job.’ None of us builds it alone–it takes everybody here–but everyone should be proud to say they were part of it,” Marc Turcot, vice-president and operations manager, Turner, said at the ceremony.
