An Eclectic Space on the Waterfront

Next-Level Placemaking

By Caitlyn Burrus | Photography by McEachin Media

This Panama City workspace redefines the modern office with reclaimed materials, curated design, and a bold, personal story.

Along the edge of St. Andrews Bay in Panama City, Florida, what was once an ordinary concrete mid-rise has undergone a striking transformation. Now home to a thriving logistics firm, the space fuses rugged industrial charm with personal storytelling. Behind its reinvention is Grand Bay Construction, a Santa Rosa Beach-based builder known for bringing visionary spaces to life with unmatched attention to detail.

The client, a longtime logistics professional with ties to global brands such as Restoration Hardware, Panera Bread, Trane, and Starbucks, presented a concept to Grand Bay president Chris Burch that went far beyond traditional office design. He imagined a space that honored the spirit of his business and the character of the warehouses he works in daily. Every material, fixture, and finish would reflect this world—no shortcuts, no off-the-shelf furnishings.

Working with architect Mark Mercer of Mark Mercer & Associates, Inc., Grand Bay developed a deeply cohesive vision for the space. With more than three decades of architectural presence in Bay County, Mercer helped align the structure to meet both the client’s industrial inspiration and the building’s technical constraints, bridging creativity with feasibility.

“I remember two to three years after he purchased the building, he brought me his vision,” Burch shares his recollection of meeting the client. “He had taken that time to meticulously plan every detail, much like an antiques collector searching for the perfect piece to add to their collection.”

The client’s collector-like eye drove a refreshingly hands-on design process, with one key rule: no materials from big-box retailers, such as Home Depot or Office Depot. Every element had to be sourced from a warehouse or crafted to echo the client’s world of logistics and movement. Grand Bay embraced the challenge, curating a truly immersive space.

Inside, weathered wood from old pallets lines the accent walls, adding a raw, tactile warmth. Cubicles were fabricated from upcycled shipping containers, cleverly cut and welded to create a modern and industrial aesthetic. Perhaps most eye-catching is the overhead lighting in the conference room, suspended from a small crane—an homage to the heavy-duty tools of the trade, now repurposed into functional sculpture.

“Everything had to fit the overall theme,” Burch says. “There’s a story behind every material, every piece of decor. It all means something to the client.”

This Panama City workspace redefines the modern office with reclaimed materials, curated design, and a bold, personal story.

Still, adapting the existing structure came with challenges. Built decades ago for a different purpose, the mid-rise was engineered with dense rebar and thick concrete, standard for buildings near the water, but far from flexible. Grand Bay’s team worked closely with engineers to ensure that every customization, from floor plan alterations to heavy installations, met both the client’s expectations and the building’s structural requirements.

Despite the technical complexity, the result is a stunningly personal and polished environment—equal parts office, gallery, and gathering space. The client periodically hosts a “think tank” for local entrepreneurs and community leaders. Surrounded and inspired by salvaged steel, exposed brick, and one-of-a-kind furnishings, they share ideas on innovation, real estate, technology, and the future of St. Andrews.

“As far as building another office exactly like this one, it’s unlikely,” Burch admits. “The owner had requirements that were very specific to his business. But we’re always looking to partner with owners who want to make a bold, personal statement through their space.”

And that is the real takeaway of this project: great design isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about identity. Through this office, Grand Bay Construction didn’t just create a place to work—they crafted a space that tells a story, celebrates grit and ingenuity, and invites connection.

In a community known for its charm and its change-makers, this one-of-a-kind workspace fits right in.

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For a closer look at Grand Bay’s craftsmanship and recent projects, visit GrandBayConstruction.com and follow @grandbayconstruction on Instagram.