Thompson Turner Construction served as CM At-Risk for the new North Vista Elementary School in Florence, South Carolina—a modern, energy-conscious, two-story facility totaling 90,000 SF. Designed to serve up to 700 students, the school separates grade levels by floor, with Kindergarten through 2nd grade located on the ground floor and 3rd through 5th grade on the upper level.
The brick and block structure includes a full range of academic and support spaces tailored to early childhood and elementary education. Features include a dedicated science lab, art and music classrooms, a media center, full-service kitchen and cafeteria, a gymnasium, and an elevator for accessibility. The facility’s layout was designed to enhance functionality, promote efficient circulation, and support a variety of instructional approaches.
The site posed several logistical and sequencing challenges, as the new school was constructed adjacent to the existing elementary building, which remained operational throughout much of construction. Upon completion of the new facility, the existing school was converted into a middle school, including the addition of a new gymnasium.
Site improvements extended beyond the school property, with Thompson Turner Construction managing substantial off-site infrastructure upgrades required by the South Carolina Department of Transportation. These improvements included the installation of a new turning lane and traffic signal to improve access, safety, and traffic flow around the school campus.
During preconstruction, our team collaborated closely with Florence 1 Schools and design partner Jumper Carter Sease to deliver over $1.5 million in value engineering savings prior to the start of construction—demonstrating a, budget-conscious approach that preserved the project’s educational priorities without compromising quality or performance.