DSV selected Lancaster, Texas, as the location for its first U.S. facility to consolidate its Air & Sea, Road, and Solutions divisions under a single roof. Developed by Panattoni and constructed by EMJ Construction, the project established DSV’s operating standards in the American market while serving as a strategic anchor for future expansion.
O’Brien served as Architect of Record for a one-million-square-foot cross-dock logistics facility and a 69,000-square-foot corporate office building designed to support DSV’s operational, workforce, and long-term growth objectives.
Project Overview
Client: DSV Global Transport & Logistics
Location: Lancaster, TX
Size:
1,000,000 SF Distribution Facility
+69,000 SF Three-Story Office Building
Services:
Architecture
Structural Coordination
MEP Coordination
Life Safety
Office Interiors
Design-Build Collaboration with Developer and General Contractor
Timeline:
Completed in 2022
Designed and Constructed in Under One Year
Opportunity
& Challenge
The Lancaster facility represented more than a distribution center. It was DSV’s first consolidated U.S. operation and the physical implementation of a broader North American expansion strategy.
The project required translating established European operational standards into an American industrial facility while maintaining an aggressive delivery schedule. DSV’s requirements exceeded typical market specifications, including larger structural bays, increased clear heights, a jointless warehouse floor system, premium fire protection infrastructure, and a dedicated on-site customs inspection zone.
The project team also faced regulatory challenges associated with permitting a facility of this scale. Local authorities had limited precedent for a one-million-square-foot logistics building, requiring extensive coordination, documentation, and code interpretation throughout the approval process.
At the same time, the warehouse and office components had to be delivered concurrently without compromising quality, performance, or schedule.
O’Brien's Approach
O’Brien’s role centered on aligning DSV’s operational standards with the realities of U.S. construction, permitting, and delivery.
The warehouse was designed around flexibility and long-term adaptability. A 75-foot-by-75-foot structural grid, significantly larger than that of typical logistics facilities, was selected to accommodate a broader range of future racking systems, automation technologies, and operational configurations. Clear heights of 46 to 47 feet were achieved through a premium fire protection strategy that exceeded conventional ESFR limitations and supported higher-density storage capacity.
The facility also incorporated a steel-fiber-reinforced jointless slab system, as specified by DSV in its global workplace standards. O’Brien coordinated the structural and construction requirements necessary to implement the system across the full one-million-square-foot warehouse footprint.
Operational requirements extended beyond conventional warehouse functions. A dedicated customs inspection zone was integrated into the facility to support federal Customs and Border Protection operations while maintaining efficient logistics workflows.
The office building was developed as a distinct corporate environment rather than an ancillary warehouse office. O’Brien worked closely with the structural team to create open, column-free floor plates that maximize daylight and support a flexible workplace environment. The building’s arrival sequence, interior quality, and workplace amenities were designed to reflect DSV’s global brand and support workforce recruitment and retention.
Throughout design and construction, O’Brien coordinated closely with DSV, Panattoni, EMJ Construction, consultants, and local authorities to maintain alignment on project goals while protecting schedule performance.
Results & Impact
The facility was designed and constructed in less than one year despite its scale, technical complexity, and regulatory challenges.
The completed project established DSV’s first consolidated U.S. logistics hub and created a benchmark for future facilities within the company’s North American network. The building delivered operational flexibility through larger structural bays, increased clear heights, premium fire protection systems, and infrastructure capable of supporting future automation and evolving logistics requirements.
The success of the Lancaster facility reinforced DSV’s expansion strategy, leading to the acquisition of a second one-million-square-foot facility within the same logistics park. The project also strengthened relationships within the delivery team and led to O’Brien’s continued involvement in subsequent DSV projects, including the company’s Laredo logistics facility.
DSV selected Lancaster, Texas, as the location for its first U.S. facility to consolidate its Air & Sea, Road, and Solutions divisions under a single roof. Developed by Panattoni and constructed by EMJ Construction, the project established DSV’s operating standards in the American market while serving as a strategic anchor for future expansion.
O’Brien served as Architect of Record for a one-million-square-foot cross-dock logistics facility and a 69,000-square-foot corporate office building designed to support DSV’s operational, workforce, and long-term growth objectives.
Project Overview
Client: DSV Global Transport & Logistics
Location: Lancaster, TX
Size:
1,000,000 SF Distribution Facility
+69,000 SF Three-Story Office Building
Services:
Architecture
Structural Coordination
MEP Coordination
Life Safety
Office Interiors
Design-Build Collaboration with Developer and General Contractor
Timeline:
Completed in 2022
Designed and Constructed in Under One Year
Opportunity
& Challenge
The Lancaster facility represented more than a distribution center. It was DSV’s first consolidated U.S. operation and the physical implementation of a broader North American expansion strategy.
The project required translating established European operational standards into an American industrial facility while maintaining an aggressive delivery schedule. DSV’s requirements exceeded typical market specifications, including larger structural bays, increased clear heights, a jointless warehouse floor system, premium fire protection infrastructure, and a dedicated on-site customs inspection zone.
The project team also faced regulatory challenges associated with permitting a facility of this scale. Local authorities had limited precedent for a one-million-square-foot logistics building, requiring extensive coordination, documentation, and code interpretation throughout the approval process.
At the same time, the warehouse and office components had to be delivered concurrently without compromising quality, performance, or schedule.
O’Brien's Approach
O’Brien’s role centered on aligning DSV’s operational standards with the realities of U.S. construction, permitting, and delivery.
The warehouse was designed around flexibility and long-term adaptability. A 75-foot-by-75-foot structural grid, significantly larger than that of typical logistics facilities, was selected to accommodate a broader range of future racking systems, automation technologies, and operational configurations. Clear heights of 46 to 47 feet were achieved through a premium fire protection strategy that exceeded conventional ESFR limitations and supported higher-density storage capacity.
The facility also incorporated a steel-fiber-reinforced jointless slab system, as specified by DSV in its global workplace standards. O’Brien coordinated the structural and construction requirements necessary to implement the system across the full one-million-square-foot warehouse footprint.
Operational requirements extended beyond conventional warehouse functions. A dedicated customs inspection zone was integrated into the facility to support federal Customs and Border Protection operations while maintaining efficient logistics workflows.
The office building was developed as a distinct corporate environment rather than an ancillary warehouse office. O’Brien worked closely with the structural team to create open, column-free floor plates that maximize daylight and support a flexible workplace environment. The building’s arrival sequence, interior quality, and workplace amenities were designed to reflect DSV’s global brand and support workforce recruitment and retention.
Throughout design and construction, O’Brien coordinated closely with DSV, Panattoni, EMJ Construction, consultants, and local authorities to maintain alignment on project goals while protecting schedule performance.
Results & Impact
The facility was designed and constructed in less than one year despite its scale, technical complexity, and regulatory challenges.
The completed project established DSV’s first consolidated U.S. logistics hub and created a benchmark for future facilities within the company’s North American network. The building delivered operational flexibility through larger structural bays, increased clear heights, premium fire protection systems, and infrastructure capable of supporting future automation and evolving logistics requirements.
The success of the Lancaster facility reinforced DSV’s expansion strategy, leading to the acquisition of a second one-million-square-foot facility within the same logistics park. The project also strengthened relationships within the delivery team and led to O’Brien’s continued involvement in subsequent DSV projects, including the company’s Laredo logistics facility.
Client Testimonials.
Charlotte Jones Anderson
Dallas Cowboys"O'Brien is about incredible architecture. They are an amazing team who works tirelessly, who burn the midnight oil. You talk about people with passion, they are a passionate team. O'Brien has lead us on an epic path of greatness. We are excited to continue with our partnership with Sean and his team."
Shawn Fulham
Lincoln Property Company"O'Brien has been a truly invaluable partner for Lincoln Property Company over the last 30 years. They have a comprehensive understanding of master planning, mixed use, and all the individual uses and components that make complex projects successful from both a design and financial standpoint. They have a long history of success, and always continue to stay on the cutting edge of design and development."
Lucy Billingsley
Billingsley Company"Sean O’Brien and team have the creativity, alacrity and flexibility to be great design partners. They listen closely and then bring all the historical architectural smarts and a fresh eye to creating places where you’d like to be. They first think through making the public realm inviting and then enrich that with great architecture."
Kyle Nix
Pritchard Associates, Inc."I always enjoy working with the O’Brien team. They are very responsive and efficient, and work well with ownership to help keep projects on time and on budget."
John Griggs
Presidium Group, LLC"O’Brien, some of the most skilled in the country and truly design iconic structures. The team works hard and commits to every detail. You can expect them to drop everything, meet deadlines, work with the budget. They are just the best."
Josh Eames
Presidium Group, LLC"O’Brien is one of our most trusted partners. O’Brien team, Your efforts are always top notch and you nail every project out of the park. You are key partner for us."