Property Description

The Chapel at CrossPoint – 300 CrossPoint Parkway,  Amherst, NY 14068

The Challenge

The Chapel, an interdenominational Christian church based in Amherst, NY, investigated 50 sites in its long search for one large enough to accommodate its expanding congregation. In addition to its site selection difficulties, The Chapel officials were challenged with a tight budget and, because its existing facility was already listed for sale, a short time frame. During the construction process, new challenges were presented by difficult sub-soil conditions and a spring season with a great deal of precipitation.

Strategy

Uniland quickly identified a site on the edge of CrossPoint Business Park and immediately acquired additional land to accommodate a 130,000 SF building with significant parking for the expanding congregation. To accommodate The Chapel’s short time frame, Uniland worked closely with the project architect on a fast-track basis and began foundation construction. To build the large, 2,000-seat sanctuary on the site’s difficult sub soil, the construction team used caissons.

Results

Uniland met these challenges while staying within the owner’s budget by leveraging its experience with local contractors. Knowing the capabilities of contractors in advance allowed Uniland to adjust construction methods to meet changing conditions on the site. Uniland also negotiated directly with sub-contractors to accelerate the construction process. It was this solid coordination that was key to the success of the project.

The Chapel at CrossPoint was opened in time for Easter services less than 11 months after the project began. The project was delivered well within budget and, in fact, allowed The Chapel to add certain elements it had not anticipated at the outset. The multi-use complex is designed to serve numerous ministries ranging from infants through seniors, and includes a nursery, game room, classrooms, a theatre, multipurpose gymnasium, bookstore, reception / banquet room, ministry offices, state-of the-art media center, and an elegant, traditional 210-seat wedding chapel. To accommodate growing ministries, the primary 2,000-seat sanctuary is expandable to 3,200 SF. As an indication of its satisfaction with the project, The Chapel again chose Uniland to design/build an event center on the site.