Lloyd Companies Completes Office Renovation for CJ Schwan's at Sioux Falls' River Centre

Lloyd Construction, a division of Lloyd Companies, has completed a 12,000-square-foot office renovation on the fifth floor of the River Centre tower at 200 E. 10th St. in downtown Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for CJ Schwan's — a food company simultaneously advancing a nearly 400,000-square-foot production facility at Foundation Park in northwest Sioux Falls.

The renovated space, previously occupied by accounting firm Eide Bailly LLP, now serves as CJ Schwan's administrative and client engagement hub as the company's Asian food production facility moves toward completion.

A Fast-Track Office Build-Out

The downtown renovation was structured as a fast-track design-build project, with Lloyd Construction serving as general contractor.

"This was a fast-track design-build project," said Brett Knudson, director of special projects for Lloyd.

Mark Goldman, head of CJ Schwan's corporate affairs, said the company prioritized brand alignment and functional flexibility over a wholesale replacement of the existing build-out.

"An accounting firm and a food company have two very different vibes," Goldman said. "So while we maintained some of the office furniture in private offices that came with the space, we prioritized our build-out. We focused on incorporating large collaboration spaces, appropriate technology for hosting board meetings and flexible space that can evolve over time."

The space also serves as the site of bimonthly progress meetings for the Foundation Park production facility project.

"You want your physical environment to tie back to the brand and create a common feel, no matter where people are engaging with your company," Goldman said. "We modified this space to meet our needs, and it ended up being fantastic."

Strategic Use: Client Engagement and Development Coordination

Beyond day-to-day administrative functions, the downtown office is being used to host strategic customers and partners.

"This is also where we'll bring strategic customers like Walmart and Target to talk about working on new items and extensions of the brand," Goldman said. "We take them here for an immersive culinary experience and to discuss marketing and research and development."

Goldman credited Lloyd Construction's flexibility during the renovation process. "Lloyd did a very nice job working with us as we continued to re-ideate our layout and design plans and refine our construction plan, while still managing our timeline," he said. "There were a lot of moving pieces to manage because we had so much going on simultaneously in the company."

Industrial Development at Foundation Park

The downtown office renovation is one component of a broader footprint CJ Schwan's is establishing in Sioux Falls. The company is constructing a nearly 400,000-square-foot Asian food production facility at Foundation Park in northwest Sioux Falls. The facility will manufacture egg rolls and steamed dumplings for the company's food service customers, as well as its bibigo and Pagoda brands.

The success of the downtown office renovation also positioned Lloyd Companies for additional work. Lloyd Construction was subsequently awarded the general contractor role for CJ Schwan's administrative complex at Foundation Park, which is currently under construction.