North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Construction of a new campus for Grace Christian School in Apex has reached a major milestone with the topping out of the project’s two primary buildings. Clancy & Theys Construction Company recently marked the milestone as the project team lifted the final structural steel beam into place.
The 33-foot ceremonial beam, manufactured by North State Steel, was signed by members of the project team as well as Grace Christian School faculty and staff before being hoisted into position. Completion of structural steel keeps the project on schedule as construction advances toward the planned opening of the campus for the 2027-28 school year.
The new campus is being developed on a 52-acre site off Veridea Parkway in Apex. Grace Christian School purchased the property in 2022 as part of its plans to expand its facilities and accommodate future enrollment growth.
The campus is planned to include approximately 152,000 square feet of educational, athletic and student facilities. It is designed to eventually serve approximately 1,200 students. Phase one includes facilities for lower, middle and upper school students, along with a student activity centre, competition gymnasium, auxiliary gym and dining hall, library, science laboratories and other specialized learning spaces.
Outdoor components are also planned, including athletic fields, a playground and campus courtyard and community spaces.
The school has estimated the cost of Phase I at approximately $80 million.
Clancy & Theys is serving as the project’s contractor, with Little Diversified Architectural Consulting as architect and NEMA Management as the owner’s representative.
The school expects the Lower/Middle School, Upper School and Student Activity Center to be completed in May and June 2027. Move-in is planned for the summer, with students expected to begin using the new campus in fall 2027.
The topping-out ceremony marked the latest step in the construction of the campus and brought together school officials, faculty, construction workers and project partners to celebrate the progress.
With the structural steel now complete on the two primary buildings, crews will continue work on the next phases of construction as the project moves toward its scheduled 2027 opening.