REX KIRBY REPRESENTS VERDEX CONSTRUCTION AT SOUTH FLORIDA BUSINESS JOURNAL REAL ESTATE POWER LEADERS ROUNDTABLE

Rex Kirby

Verdex Construction’s President, Rex Kirby, recently participated in the South Florida Business Journal Power Leaders Roundtable, an exclusive event where regional real estate leaders discussed the current opportunities and challenges in South Florida’s development landscape.

The roundtable addressed a variety of industry issues, including rising construction costs, the ongoing affordable housing shortage, and the growing importance of sustainable practices. Kirby highlighted Verdex Construction’s approach to navigating these complexities, focusing on value engineering, sustainability, and strong partnerships.

Speaking on the significance of long-term relationships in the construction and real estate sectors, Kirby emphasized the importance of trust and collaboration. “Long-term relationships have liquidity to move forward,” Kirby said. “People can’t waste time with someone who won’t be able to get a deal done.” This insight underscores Verdex’s commitment to building partnerships that enable smooth project execution, even in a fluctuating market.

Another key point discussed was how Verdex leverages technology to optimize project delivery. Kirby highlighted the company’s use of advanced project management tools to improve communication, streamline processes, and ensure project deadlines are met, even in the face of supply chain disruptions and labor shortages.

Kirby also addressed the pressing need for affordable housing in South Florida, noting Verdex’s efforts to balance cost-effective construction solutions while maintaining high-quality standards. By working closely with developers and municipalities, Verdex continues to find innovative ways to contribute to the region’s housing crisis.

Visit the South Florida Business Journal to read more.

ABOUT VERDEX CONSTRUCTION – Verdex Construction is a privately held building contractor headquartered in West Palm Beach, FL with offices in Tampa and Gainesville. Led by founder and President Rex Kirby, a 40-year veteran in the construction business, Verdex provides general contracting services to clients including preconstruction, construction management, and design-build. Verdex celebrates 10 years “Building Something Better” through exceptional service, a fundamental focus on safety and quality, and value to owners, customers, and the community. For more information, visit www.verdex.com.

APELLA ON NEWPORT STUDENT HOUSING IN TAMPA READY FOR STUDENTS

Exterior of Apella on Newport

Verdex Construction proudly announces the completion of the Apella on Newport student housing project in Tampa. This state-of-the-art, 8-story development boasts 150 units and 576 beds, encompassing a total of 257,960 gross square feet (GSF). Designed to cater to the needs of students attending the University of Tampa, Apella on Newport represents a significant addition to the area’s student housing options.

The project features a two-story parking garage with 303 spaces, totaling 127,292 square feet (SF). In addition to the ample parking, Apella on Newport offers a variety of modern amenities designed to enhance student living. Residents will enjoy a rooftop clubhouse, a third-floor amenity deck with a fitness center, communal study areas and a pool with BBQ area, creating a vibrant and convenient living environment.

Developed by Commercial Street Partners and designed by the architectural firm Gensler, Apella on Newport stands as a testament to high-quality, innovative living spaces tailored for today’s student population. This partnership has resulted in a dynamic and thoughtfully designed housing complex that will serve the University of Tampa students well.

“We are proud to have built Apella on Newport, a vital project addressing the significant need for student housing adjacent to the University of Tampa. This development is more than just a building; it’s an essential addition to the community, ensuring that students have a place to call home as they pursue their education” said Toby Johnson, Vice President and Managing Director of Verdex Construction West Coast.

This project not only addresses the growing demand for student housing in Tampa but also exemplifies Verdex Construction’s commitment to excellence and innovation in Tampa/Sarasota market. By incorporating modern design elements and state-of-the-art amenities, Apella on Newport sets a new standard for student housing in the area.

Read more on the Tampa Business Journal

ABOUT VERDEX CONSTRUCTION – Verdex Construction is a privately held building contractor headquartered in West Palm Beach, FL with offices in Tampa and Gainesville. Led by founder and President Rex Kirby, a 40-year veteran in the construction business, Verdex provides general contracting services to clients including preconstruction, construction management, and design-build. Verdex celebrates 10 years “Building Something Better” through exceptional service, a fundamental focus on safety and quality, and value to owners, customers, and the community. For more information, visit www.verdex.com.

VERDEX CONSTRUCTION CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING OF THE DISTRICT FLATS

The District Flats Apartments

More than 100 people, including West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James, joined Verdex Construction on Thursday, May 13 for the grand opening celebration of The District Flats. The 178-unit development from Palm Beach Garden’s-based Eastwind Development is located at 1050 Blanche St. Guests included West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James and City Commissioner Christina Lambert.

The District Flats features a modern-industrial, four-story building surrounding a central courtyard, swimming pool and deck area; a three-story building surrounding a garden amphitheater; and a three-level, 250-space parking garage enhanced by a large mural at the entry. A kinetic sculpture from local artist Beju also greets visitors as it waves in the wind.

The pet-friendly community also includes a dog park and the and commercial space that will eventually be home to a stylish cafe. There are 26 studio apartments; 86 one-bedroom, one-bath units; and 48 two-bedroom, two-bath apartments, along with a 3,000 sq. ft. clubhouse.

Designed by MSA Architects, with Verdex Construction as the general contractor, The District Flats is located south of the trendy Grandview Public Market food hall and other nearby retail and entertainment outlets like Steel Tie Distillery, Steam Horse Brewing Company and Gypsy Life Surf Shop.

All units will feature nine-foot ceilings, keyless door entries, programmable thermostats, tile & wood plank flooring, stainless steel appliances including a built-in wine fridge, granite countertops, pendant light fixtures, bedroom ceiling fans and energy and water conservation features designed to lower monthly resident utility bills.

Twenty percent of the apartments (36 units) in The District Flats are allocated as workforce housing and discounted for households with an annual income equal to or less than 140-percent of the annual median income for Palm Beach County. The project is just blocks from both the Tri-Rail station and Palm Tran, providing the critical mass transportation component that is essential for working families.

VERDEX CONSTRUCTION ADDS INDUSTRY VETERAN RYAN ACKNER TO SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Ryan Ackner, Director of Special Projects

Verdex Construction has appointed Ryan Ackner as Director of Special Projects. He will be based in the company’s West Palm Beach headquarters.

Ackner has been managing partner at two South Florida real estate development and construction firms. As Director of Special Projects at Verdex, he will manage interior renovations and buildouts, as well as smaller or specialized new construction. He will work closely with owners and design teams to establish best-in-class products and pricing along with safe logistics for work in occupied buildings.

Ackner worked on construction projects in occupied buildings while in high school, allowing him to gain practical experience before attending the School of Architecture at both the University of South Florida and Florida Atlantic University.

“With so many new companies relocating to South Florida, we anticipate significant growth in the number of companies that want to create their own spaces,” said Verdex President Rex Kirby. “Ryan has the experience to complete these projects with a focus on value for our clients.”

Verdex Construction’s recent projects throughout South Florida include the Canopy by Hilton West Palm Beach Downtown1000 North, an upscale restaurant/club on the Loxahatchee River in Jupiter; and Town Lantana Apartments in Lantana. Verdex also has projects underway in both Tampa and Gainesville.

In just over five years, Verdex has earned numerous awards and prestigious industry recognition, including being selected as a finalist for 2020 Business of the Year by the South Florida Business Journal, finalist for 2020 Business of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, Builder of the Year by the AIA Palm Beach, and being selected as a GrowFL “Company to Watch”.

About Verdex Construction

Verdex Construction is a privately held building contractor based in West Palm Beach, FL, led by founder and President Rex Kirby, a 35-year veteran in the construction business.  Verdex provides general contracting services to clients including preconstruction, construction management, and design-build.  Verdex is committed to “Building Something Better” through exceptional service, a fundamental focus on safety and quality, and value to owners, customers and the community.  For more information, visit www.verdex.com

VERDEX CELEBRATES OUR COMPLETION OF HOMESAFE’S NEW RESIDENTIAL CAMPUS BY DONATING $125,000 TO SUPPORT MISSION

Verdex Construction Donates $125,808 to HomeSafe

Palm Beach County non-profit, HomeSafe celebrated the ribbon-cutting for the opening of its brand-new campus in West Palm Beach. The innovative Sylvester Family West Campus will provide a welcoming and safe environment for young victims of child abuse to heal from their trauma and find confidence in their future.

The ribbon-cutting event also included a special announcement from Verdex Construction, the general contractor for the project. Verdex President Rex Kirby announced the company is donating $125,000 to HomeSafe to support its mission.

“As a past president and current member of the HomeSafe Board of Directors, I wanted to do everything we could to let the agency direct its budget to helping these children and not on construction costs,” said Kirby.

“This is truly a transformative time for the agency,” said Matthew Ladika, CEO of HomeSafe. “We are one of only five agencies in the state of Florida that provides a unique level of care in specialized therapeutic group homes for severely traumatized child abuse victims. This new campus, along with future construction projects, will help us continue our mission of creating safer, more productive lives for infants, children, young adults and families.”

The Sylvester Family West Campus consists of two buildings, the Residential Cottage and the Enrichment Center, totaling 15,356 sq. ft. The Residential Cottage offers 12 suites where each child will have their own private room and bathroom. The Cottage also has a large kitchen, living and dining areas, therapy wing and gaming area to create a comfortable home environment. The new Enrichment Center offers music and workout rooms, a multimedia lab, and educational wing and has a strategically designed layout so that staff will have even better supervision of the children. The 3.2 acre site also includes a nature trail, basketball court and gazebo which will provide for many outdoor activities.

About Verdex Construction

Verdex Construction is a privately held building contractor based in West Palm Beach, FL, led by founder and President Rex Kirby, a 35-year veteran in the construction business.  Verdex provides general contracting services to clients including preconstruction, construction management, and design-build.  Verdex is committed to “Building Something Better” through exceptional service, a fundamental focus on safety and quality, and value to owners, customers and the community.  For more information, visit www.verdex.com

VERDEX CONSTRUCTION ADDS INDUSTRY VETERAN ALEX SMITH TO SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Alex Smith, VP of Operations

Verdex Construction has appointed Alex Smith, a construction industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience to its senior leadership team as Vice President of Operations. He will be based in the company’s West Palm Beach headquarters.

Smith has extensive management experience with some with the largest contractors in South Florida. He will manage operational oversight, establish high-quality training programs for staff, and extend efforts toward operational consistency, among other duties.

“Alex brings extensive experience and very valuable leadership skills to Verdex which is expanding its footprint across Florida,” said Verdex President, Rex Kirby. “His deep experience will bring many layers of added value to our clients around the state.”

Smith started his career as a carpenter and then project engineer while earning his Bachelor of Science Degree in Building Construction at the University of Florida. He is a member of the Construction Executive Association and a prior board member of the Construction Association of South Florida.

Verdex Construction’s recent projects throughout South Florida include the Canopy by Hilton West Palm Beach Downtown1000 North, an upscale restaurant/club on the Loxahatchee River in Jupiter; and Town Lantana Apartments in Lantana. Verdex also has projects underway in both Tampa and Gainesville.

In just over five years, Verdex has earned numerous awards and prestigious industry recognition, including being selected as a finalist for 2020 Business of the Year by the South Florida Business Journal, finalist for 2020 Business of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, Builder of the Year by the AIA Palm Beach, and being selected as a GrowFL “Company to Watch”.

About Verdex Construction

Verdex Construction is a privately held building contractor based in West Palm Beach, FL, led by founder and President Rex Kirby, a 35-year veteran in the construction business.  Verdex provides general contracting services to clients including preconstruction, construction management, and design-build.  Verdex is committed to “Building Something Better” through exceptional service, a fundamental focus on safety and quality, and value to owners, customers and the community.  For more information, visit www.verdex.com

VERDEX AWARDED ZOM’S WATERMARK SENIOR LIVING PROJECT IN DOWNTOWN WEST PALM

Watermark at West Palm Beach Senior Living Rendering

Verdex Construction  will begin construction of The Watermark at West Palm Beach in fall of 2020.  This Class-AA, luxury senior living community is Verdex Construction’s first project for prestigious developer ZOM Living, which has created residential and senior living properties across the country. The eight-story, 245,416 sq. ft. building at 445 Datura Street in the heart of Downtown West Palm Beach will offer 154 residential units ranging from 360 sq. ft. to 1,380 sq. ft.  Construction is expected to be complete in spring of 2022. The architect is MSA Architects.

“This project mirrors our recently completed Canopy hotel project, as both are several stories on very tight infill sites requiring greater expertise than open greenfield projects,” said Rex Kirby, President of Verdex Construction. “We’re excited to add to our growing list of projects that further the success of the West Palm Beach Downtown Business District.”

The units on the top four floors of The Watermark will offer independent living for seniors, with the third and fourth floor dedicated to assisted living. The second floor will house memory care.  The project’s features and amenities include a commercial kitchen, bar, library, theater, beauty salon, exercise room, swimming pool, outdoor terraces, and a four-story parking garage with 119 spaces.

About Verdex Construction

Verdex Construction is a privately held building contractor based in West Palm Beach, FL, led by founder and President Rex Kirby, a 35-year veteran in the construction business. Verdex provides general contracting services to clients including pre-construction, construction management, and design-build. Verdex is committed to “Building Something Better” through exceptional service, a fundamental focus on safety and quality, and value to owners, customers and the community.

VERDEX CONSTRUCTION ANNOUNCES NEW GAINESVILLE OFFICE, NAMES MANAGING DIRECTOR

Joey Mandese, VP and Managing Director of North Florida

West Palm Beach-based Verdex Construction has announced the launch of an additional office in Gainesville to serve the company’s clients located in north Florida. This is Verdex’s second expansion outside of its West Palm Beach headquarters following its expansion to Tampa last year.

The Gainesville office will be led by Joey Mandese, who has been named Vice President and Managing Director of Verdex’s North Florida office. Mandese, a 30-year construction industry veteran who previously owned his own construction company in Gainesville, most recently worked as Senior Project Manager for Planning, Construction and Design at the University of Florida. He is also a graduate of the University of Florida, with a B.S. in Building Construction.

“I worked with Joey at a previous company, and as soon as we decided to expand our operation into north Florida, I knew that his skill set, leadership, relationships and knowledge of the market make him the right person to lead and grow our North Florida office,” said Verdex President Rex Kirby. “Joey embodies our company’s anthem of “Building Something Better.”

Verdex Construction’s recent projects include the Canopy by Hilton West Palm Beach Downtown, the much-acclaimed new hotel opening March 2020; 1000 North, an upscale restaurant/club on the Loxahatchee River in Jupiter; Water Tower Commons apartments in the Town of Lantana; Indigo Station apartments in Deerfield Beach, and Westshore Apartments in Tampa.

In just five years, Verdex has earned numerous awards and prestigious industry recognition, including being named by GrowFL as a 2017 Florida “Company to Watch” and 2016 Startup Business of the Year by the South Florida Business Journal. Verdex also ranked third on South Florida Business Journal’s “Fast 50” for 2019, a list that ranks the fastest growing businesses in the tri-county region.

About Verdex Construction

Verdex Construction is a privately held building contractor based in West Palm Beach, FL, led by founder and President Rex Kirby, a 35-year veteran in the construction business. Verdex provides general contracting services to clients including preconstruction, construction management, and design-build. Verdex is committed to “Building Something Better” through exceptional service, a fundamental focus on safety and quality, and value to owners, customers and the community. For more information, visit www.verdex.com

CONSTRUCTION VETERAN LAUNCHES VERDEX

Rex Kirby, CEO and President

Construction Veteran and Entrepreneur Rex Kirby Launches Verdex

West Palm Beach, FL – August 10, 2015 – 35-year construction veteran and entrepreneur Rex Kirby is building his newest project, his own company, Verdex Construction, LLC (Verdex). Kirby, a business leader and key contributor to the Palm Beach County landscape for more than 15 years, has a new vision and intends to make the name Verdex synonymous with quality and service-oriented construction in South Florida. The company has already secured three sizeable projects and has hired two experienced estimators to the team. Kirby’s experience in this industry and market coupled with a strong financial backing lays the foundation for a solid business venture.

Verdex is owned in part by Rex Kirby and Index Investment Group, a Jupiter-based investment firm growing their presence in the Florida market with projects such as The Dakota apartments in Abacoa, the Riverwalk Pointe apartments in Jupiter, the expansion of the Northern Palm Beach County Airport, and the RIVA condominium in Ft. Lauderdale. Kirby will lead the operations serving as founder and president of Verdex while Index Investment Group will provide financing and the ability to bond larger projects. Kirby is committed to South Florida and is impassioned about being a new choice for a construction partner in this booming market.

“I am extremely proud of my work and contributions to the South Florida landscape and with Verdex I am looking forward to providing more attention and exceptional service by being personally involved with projects,” said Kirby. “I learned a lot along the way and have a strong sense of what works and what doesn’t. From software, systems, communication and even accounting, I’ve been involved on every level and I am set on building a better model and

providing better service. This is not a start-up; this is a continuation of what I’ve accomplished over my entire career.”

Kirby has hit the ground running in his first few months by securing three sizable projects and sees a plethora of opportunity with construction booming all over Florida. Verdex will work on the expansion of the North Palm Beach County Airport with the construction of office space and a new 30,000 sq. ft. hangar that will house aircraft maintenance and a pilot training facility for Platinum Aviation. A second project in the Florida Keys will include a new 95-unit hotel as part of the renovation of the Florida Keys Country Club in Marathon. The project will also include golf course renovation, a new clubhouse, workforce housing, and 15 private villas. Verdex has also secured the construction of Sabbia Beach, a modern 300,000 sq.-ft., 19-story, luxury condominium in Pompano Beach that boasts 73 units and includes oceanfront views along with full-height glass wall living spaces and expansive glass-lined balconies. Kirby has also brought on two experienced and respected Senior Estimators, Brad Stull and Darin Newell to help him build this portfolio and manage projects.

Kirby has over 35 years of construction experience throughout the state of Florida and is a licensed professional engineer and certified general contractor in the state. Kirby has climbed the construction ladder, advancing his career from project manager and operations manager to later division manager and regional president. His latest step now brings him to a lifelong goal of building his own business and building it his way. At his former employer, Kirby grew the annual revenues from $60 million to over $400 million, making it one of the largest and most respected construction companies in South Florida. He is now poised to bring Verdex to the same level of success through personal attention, efficient and streamlined operations, and strategic partners. Kirby is intent on living up to the Verdex motto, “Building Something Better.”

About Verdex Construction

Verdex Construction is a privately held building contractor based in West Palm Beach, FL, led by founder and President Rex Kirby, a 35-year veteran in the construction business. Verdex provides general contracting services to clients including preconstruction, construction management, and design-build. Verdex is committed to “building something better” through exceptional service, a fundamental focus on safety and quality, and value to owners, customers and the community.