Project IKEA – Coquitlam

Located between the Trans Canada and Lougheed Highways, this 15-acre prime retail location had less than prime geotechnical conditions. Prior to our preparations, the site was unstable swampland. It was three feet below high water levels with five feet of wood waste, 140 feet of peat moss, and natural methane gas production. We created a stable foundation for a multi-level building. Site materials were excavated, groundwater was held in check, granular fills were imported and 1,100 concrete-filled steel pipe piles were installed 30 metres deep. Landscape berms were constructed using floating Styrofoam to prevent sinking. Wales McLelland was responsible for coordinating and scheduling material deliveries from all over the world, including ceiling systems from Sweden and the distinctive foam-filled blue metal wall panel systems from California.

To facilitate the vertical movement of people and products between levels, Wales McLelland installed three freight elevators, six passenger elevators, two escalators, and Canada’s largest travelator. Wales McLelland is extremely proud of this great construction accomplishment and the opportunity to be apart of this state-of-the-art facility.