A New Era for Industrial and Creative Spaces
Imagine a 1 million SF hub where business and creativity come together under one roof.
The Borden Complex does just that—this multi-level warehouse in Long Island City, Queens, seamlessly integrates high-tech production studios, modern office spaces, and a state-of-the-art logistics center, creating a dynamic environment where innovation and industry thrive.
Developed by Innovo Property Group and KSS Architects, this building is designed to help different industries work together more efficiently.
“For developers, this project shows what’s possible when a visionary idea meets the right execution team.”
Innovo chose March Construction as the project’s general contractor to take on the challenge, a company that has been building in the Tri-State Area for more than 35 years.
Overcoming Urban Challenges
Bringing this project to life was no simple task. Building something so large in a tight urban area meant navigating narrow city streets, implementing soundproofing in a loud location, and coordinating it all with multiple different teams.
At the helm were Senior Project Manager Gabe Miani and Project Manager Renni Trinh of March Construction, who orchestrated the moving parts behind the build: keeping teams aligned and solving complex challenges for successful delivery.
Miani said this project is the first of its kind on the East Coast and is radically changing the way companies use industrial buildings.
Soundproofing A Studio In A Bustling City
Putting a state-of-the-art film studio inside an industrial warehouse — located right next to the busy Midtown Tunnel and Long Island Rail Road — could have been a soundproofing nightmare. But March Construction tackled the engineering challenge, Miani said.
“When we did the sound test, we blasted a jet engine sound outside. Despite the noise from outside, the inside was silent. It was one of the most rewarding moments of the project,” Miani Said.
Trinh said that for filmmakers, controlling sound is everything, and the precision behind this build made that possible.
“Every single opening, even tiny utility holes, had to be completely sealed,” she said. “Even the massive elephant doors had custom-made seals to stop any sound from going between studios.”
Moving Large Steel Beams Through The Urban Maze
One of the toughest logistical challenges on the project was bringing 100-foot steel girders into a dense urban site.
Planned delivery routes were unexpectedly blocked due to city construction, Trinh said.
“We had to test multiple truck routes at night, literally driving the path to make sure those massive girders could make the turns,” she said. “When the New York State Department of Transportation kept rejecting routes, we had to pivot and find another way.”
Trinh said that the team cut the plate girders into smaller pieces and spliced them back together on-site—a solution that would avoid delaying the project.
An additional hurdle was the building’s proximity to the Long Island Rail Road system, with the LIRR running directly behind the site, Miani said.
“Every crane lift and concrete pour had to be coordinated with train schedules to avoid disruptions,” he said. “It drove our schedule in ways that other projects didn’t. However, that’s the job: managing roadblocks, planning ahead, and making it work.”
Speeding Up Construction With Strategic Moves
A key challenge was managing two separate design teams: One responsible for the industrial core and shell, and another handling the high-end production studio fit-out.
One major issue was the initial placement of utility connections on the east side of the site, which could have significantly slowed construction.
“Instead of working around it, we collaborated with the design team to move the utilities west. That allowed us to start working with Con Edison right away to get power on-site, keeping everything on schedule.” — Renni Trinh
This decision prevented costly delays, secured early power access, and kept the project moving efficiently.
“The key to making these teams work together was ensuring we had clear and open communication," said Gabe.
Value Engineering For Efficient Delivery
The team also found that soil beneath The Borden Complex site wasn’t strong enough to support its size.
“You can design for every possible scenario — earthquakes, wind, hurricanes — but until you start digging, you don’t always know what you’re working with,” Miani said.
To keep the project on budget, March switched to rigid inclusions and soil mixing. Remediation through traditional pile-supported foundations would have driven costs way up, Trinh said.
“This method not only strengthened the ground but also reduced costs and improved efficiency,” said Trinh. “Smart engineering allowed us to keep the project on track without sacrificing strength.”
Delivering A Visionary Project
From navigating tight city logistics to engineering creative solutions, March Construction helped Innovo Property Group bring an ambitious vision to life — one that sets a new standard for industrial space in New York City, Miani said.
“At the end of the day, it came down to patience, consistent collaboration and problem-solving,” he said.
For developers tackling large-scale urban projects, having a construction partner that understands collaboration, problem-solving and real-world constraints makes all the difference. Visit marchassociates.com to learn more.
This article was produced in collaboration between Studio B and Briana Samman, March Construction’s Digital Marketing Manager. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.
Renni Trinh is a seasoned Project Manager with a background in Civil & Structural Engineering, working for many high profile clients such as Amazon, Wildflower, Verizon, and Innovo Property Group. With extensive experience managing high-profile projects, she is currently overseeing the development of 23-30 Borden Ave in Long Island City, leveraging her expertise in construction delivery, project budgeting, and quality control.
Gabe Miani, PE, Senior Project Manager at March Construction, brings over 20 years of experience in engineering, site development, and construction management. Currently overseeing the 840,000 SF ground-up development at 23-30 Borden Avenue, he applies his expertise in large-scale industrial, commercial, and residential projects,
