An Inc. Magazine 'Coolest Office' Opens in Parsippany

Hollister Construction Services, a full-service construction management firm in Parsippany, recently completed work on Pinnacle Foods Group's newly opened headquarters, a building selected as one of Inc. Magazine's 2012 "World's Coolest Offices" in a Facebook contest.

Designed by architectural firm Gensler, the 200,000-square-foot facility at 399 Jefferson Road was chosen by Inc. from among 144 submissions from companies around the world.

Pinnacle produces, markets and distributes well-known brands including Birds Eye,  Duncan Hines, Mrs. Butterworth’s, Vlasic, Hungry-Man and Lenders.

Hollister Construction officials say the construction project took 18 months to complete and encompassed not only high-end reception, meeting and office spaces but also state-of-the-art research and development facilities for Pinnacle’s brand companies.

“The Pinnacle headquarters demanded all the value-engineering skills and experience we bring to our clients as construction managers, which makes the recognition from Inc. Magazine especially gratifying,” said Hollister President Kieran D. Flanagan. “We had to incorporate a number of heavy-duty mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems into an existing structure, while meeting and contributing to the architects’ sophisticated design.”

Each of Pinnacle’s brands now has its own separate test kitchen, complete with commercial cooking equipment, large-scale ventilation and exhaust systems, walk-in cold storage units, and extensive drainage and water lines. This infrastructure was integrated into work, gathering and meeting spaces that Inc. Magazine cited for being warm, well-lit and inviting. As one example of Hollister’s value engineering expertise, the builders proposed the use of raised flooring throughout the complex, a solution that ensured the design’s numerous glass walls were faultlessly plumb at relatively low cost.  

“As construction managers, we shared with the owner a common objective to get the best price and quality from the right contractor or supplier,” said Jack Cervino, Hollister project manager.  “The success of this project reflects our commitment to providing clients with accurate, timely information regarding costs, materials and scheduling, so they can make optimal design-build choices.”

Just last summer, Pinnacle Foods Group was among six Par-Troy businesses Inc. Magazine honored as .