The Challenge

WPE had outgrown their space. They needed a facility that could scale with them — without scaling their footprint. The answer wasn’t to build up. It was to build down. Shortly after construction began, so did COVID-19.

The Build

WPE’s two existing buildings had the bones — but not the capacity to keep up with their growth. Rather than building up, BNK built down.

BNK reimagined and reconstructed WPE’s facilities through a full commercial design- build expansion, linking two multi-level buildings through a pre-existing tunnel system running beneath both structures. By engineering the supporting foundation and infrastructure from the ground up, BNK transformed a previously unusable basement into a fully operational 10,000+ sq ft. retail service center and heavy- equipment storage facility — turning two separate buildings into a single, navigable complex accessible entirely from within.

But the underground expansion was just the beginning. To truly unite two buildings into one cohesive operation, every facet of WPE’s business had to be considered. BNK developed symbiotic systems throughout — a full backup generator ensuring uninterrupted operations for the service side of the business, and a 75,000-gallon rainwater cistern fed directly from the steel roof, supplying 100% of the facility’s potable water from day one. Green, functional, and entirely self-sufficient.

Above ground, BNK’s design influence shaped every detail — from the custom stone entry and exterior color palette to exposed HVAC that leans into the building’s industrial identity while keeping interior costs lean. Multi-use retail and service areas, second-floor corporate offices overlooking a mezzanine, a boardroom, and distinct finish levels throughout — every space was purpose-built for how WPE actually works.

Nothing Stopped BNK

Construction ran from 2019 to 2021 — directly through COVID. When government mandates forced construction to a halt, material delays compounded, prices surged, and Hamilton’s regulatory environment added layer upon layer of complexity. All while WPE’s business remained fully operational throughout the entire build.

BNK didn’t just manage the construction. They managed everything around it. That meant maintaining clear, continuous communication so WPE could make informed decisions at every turn. This meant coordinating across every trade, every permit, and every regulatory hurdle simultaneously. It even meant stepping into conversations with WPE’s financing company — ensuring the build stayed funded, the business stayed solvent, and every milestone was met as construction moved forward.

When the path forward wasn’t clear, BNK found one. When compromise was necessary, we knew exactly where flexibility could be found without sacrificing WPE’s vision. True partnership is aware of one another’s goals and needs and never sacrificing either.

That’s the real accomplishment of our work with Windmill Power Equipment. From ongoing maintenance, conducting city investigations, and zoning research forWPE’s future expansion plans, years later, our partnership is still going strong