Sherwin-Williams has faced another setback in the construction of its new headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, as delays continue to push back the opening. Originally slated for March 12, the grand opening has now been rescheduled for October 22 due to issues that arose during construction. Reports from Cleveland Magazine indicate that fire protectant was not sufficiently applied to the building’s structural steel, which led to the construction team performing extensive rework on the project as of February 6.

This delay marks another chapter in a series of challenges for the construction of the headquarters, a $750 million project that includes a 36-story office tower, a two-story pavilion designed as a gateway to downtown Cleveland’s Public Square park, and a multi-level parking garage. The construction is being led by a joint venture between Akron’s Welty Construction and Gilbane Building Co. of Providence, Rhode Island. Despite requests for comment, Gilbane referred all inquiries to Sherwin-Williams, who confirmed the delay.

Julie Young, Vice President of Global Corporate Communications for Sherwin-Williams, explained the situation. She cited a change in the required fire protectant specifications for steel beams as the primary cause of the delay. A third-party certification provider revised its standards in July 2024, increasing the necessary thickness of the fire protectant to meet fire rating requirements. Young stated that Sherwin-Williams has been working diligently with all involved stakeholders to ensure that all fire protection requirements are met to guarantee the safety and compliance of the building.

The 1 million-square-foot headquarters complex is meant to serve as the company’s flagship office, housing corporate employees and research and development teams. However, this isn’t the first delay Sherwin-Williams has faced. The project’s opening had already been delayed from its original completion date in 2024, with reports earlier in the year indicating a possible indefinite postponement into 2025. Despite this, Sherwin-Williams announced a March 2025 opening, although the exact timing remains uncertain as the construction team continues to make repairs.

With an investment commitment of at least $600 million for the entire headquarters and research facilities, Sherwin-Williams has significantly increased the budget. In 2021, the cost of the headquarters portion of the project was estimated to be around $300 million, but as of December 2022, the company updated the figure to a total of $750 million. This project remains a key part of the company's long-term vision, providing a modern, state-of-the-art facility that will support its growth and innovation in the years to come.

Sherwin-Williams has confirmed that while the project is delayed, they remain focused on delivering the headquarters and R&D facility to the highest standards. As the new building takes shape, the company looks forward to the eventual opening of this landmark facility, despite the challenges along the way.

originally reported by Matthew Thibault in Construction Dive.