DPR Completes Gaming Company’s New Austin Headquarters in a Cool Nine Weeks, Enabling Company to Meet Critical Move-in Schedule

X-patterned wall lights and blue neon ceiling lighting, windows etched with “X’s,” black-polished veneer plaster on the walls ,and specially insulated sound rooms are just some of the unique finishes and features that characterize Digital Anvil’s new X-Box Game Development Center in Austin, TX. DPR completed the 37,700-sq.-ft. buildout in a mere nine weeks, enabling the owner to meet a critical move-in schedule.

The project entailed the complete finish-out of the third floor of a building that Digital Anvil leased from Computer Sciences Corp. DPR worked hand in hand with the owner’s rep, Jones Lang LaSalle, for the first time in the Austin market. Originally allotted a 14-week construction schedule, that timeframe was significantly compressed due to negotiations during the design phase. DPR pulled together its subs early on to get their buy-in and commitment to achieve the schedule. “We had a great team that worked hard to make it happen. The architect, BOKA Powell, LLC, really facilitated the turnaround on submittals and RFIs to keep things moving,” said Project Manager Jason Choyce.

Ready for Rollout

The facility features all of the necessary production tools for Digital Anvil to prepare for its planned Fall 2002 rollout of the much-anticipated “Brute Force” video game. Features include fully insulated sound rooms, complete with 300-pound sound barriers set in a one-foot thick cavity surrounding each individual room, to ensure that tenants above and below are not impacted. A conference room features a raised stage in one corner, where players can re-enact scenes from the game to help develop accurate depictions. Additional highlights include a multiplayer test lab, where players will test the game against other players on the Internet using different dial up and high-speed access lines, audio rooms, and a variety of whimsical, playful touches, such as bean bag-sized, red and brown floor cushions, game room, acoustic wall panels and built-in leather-cushioned seating.