Tulsa Cold Storage

Keeping Our Cool Under Pressure

Tulsa, OK

In the competitive world of food distribution, operational efficiency can make or break a business. When SGC Food Service decided to expand their operations into the Tulsa market with a second major facility, they needed more than just warehouse space – they needed a sophisticated cold storage and distribution center that could handle the unique demands of serving restaurants, schools, and businesses across the region.

The 110,000 SF facility represents a significant milestone in industrial construction, combining high bay storage capabilities with advanced refrigeration systems to create what is essentially a controlled ecosystem for food preservation and distribution. What sets this project apart isn’t flashy architectural features – it’s the precision engineering required to make it work flawlessly.

The most challenging aspect of this $24.5 million design-build project was achieving high bay storage configuration, pushing the building height over 40 feet to accommodate super tall storage racks. This decision wasn’t just about maximizing space – it was critical to SGC Food Service’s business model and financial viability. However, exceeding standard warehouse height thresholds triggered more stringent code requirements and design standards, demanding careful coordination between all building systems.

Our team self-performed both the concrete and steel work, allowing us direct control over two of the most critical elements. The concrete slab required specialty design to minimize shrinkage and dust – essential factors in maintaining food safety standards.
Below the slab, we created a fully encapsulated and insulated freezer space, effectively building a massive refrigerator that maintains precise temperature control throughout the facility.

The project also included a 5,000 SF truck maintenance building, recognizing that reliable transportation is just as crucial as proper storage in the food distribution business. SGC Food Service didn’t cut corners on employee support either, installing full forklift charging stations and ensuring their team had everything needed to operate efficiently.

Working within the PSO rebate program framework, we conducted comprehensive energy analysis on the refrigeration systems, demonstrating that operational efficiency was as important as construction quality. The power company’s assessment confirmed the facility operates with exceptional energy efficiency, translating to long-term cost savings for the owner.

Construction presented unique coordination challenges, particularly with specialty contractors handling the refrigeration systems and shrinkage-compensating concrete. Managing these specialized trades required constant attention to thermal breaks and penetration details – any gap in the building’s thermal envelope could compromise temperature control and product integrity.

Delivered over 17 months, this facility demonstrates how industrial construction success isn’t measured just in square footage, but in creating spaces that enable businesses to thrive. The high bay storage configuration, advanced refrigeration systems, and energy-efficient design combine to give SGC Food Service the competitive edge they need in Tulsa’s food distribution market.

Project Facts

Industry Sector: Industrial
Cost: $23,293,436
Size: 110,000 SF
Delivery Method: Design-Build
Self-Perform: Steel Erection, Concrete
Owner: SGC Food Service
Architect: GH2 Architects, LLC