ABC East Coast Chapter Director Sharon Joy (left) presents Ivey’s Project Manager Nick Caplanis (right) with the EIC Eagle Award for The Gantry at LC 39 Improvements project.
Merritt Island, Fla. — Ivey’s Construction, Inc. was honored with the 2025 Excellence in Construction® (EIC) Eagle Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) for its work on The Gantry at Launch Complex 39 Improvements Project at Kennedy Space Center. 🏆🚀
The $4 million Gantry project involved the revitalization of a 24,966-square-foot, four-story facility, transforming the historic but under-utilized structure into a state-of-the-art attraction and immersive guest experience. Through extensive theming, custom displays, and advanced interactive exhibits, the new Gantry at Launch Complex 39 now offers visitors a dynamic tour stop featuring breathtaking views of the historic launch complex.
Each level of the facility has been reimagined to house cutting-edge exhibits and interactive displays that highlight the history and future of space exploration. The attraction also features a launch viewing area with bleacher seating, providing guests with a first-class opportunity to witness rocket launches up close.
The custom-built full-scale Simulated Static Test Fire thruster suspended from the Gantry’s third floor where guests can experience the sights, sounds, and sensations of a rocket engine ignition with specialized theme lighting, a thunderous wall of sound, and bursts of steam and mist — a multi-sensory experience replicting the raw power of a static test fire.
“Ivey’s is incredibly proud to be recognized with an Eagle Award for this unique and meaningful project,” said Project Manager Nick Caplanis of Ivey’s Construction. “The Gantry at Launch Complex 39 represents a blend of history, innovation, and education. Our team was honored to help transform this iconic structure into an engaging destination that allows visitors to experience the excitement of space exploration up close.”
The Gantry project is particularly significant because it breathes new life into one of the most storied locations in American space history. Located within the Launch Complex 39 area—home to sub-complexes 39A, 39B, and 39C—the site has witnessed some of the most legendary missions in aerospace history, including Apollo moon landings, Saturn V launches, and the Space Shuttle program.
By reimagining the facility’s purpose, the Ivey’s Construction and Delaware North teams transformed the structure into a destination that seamlessly blends space exploration, historical preservation, immersive education, and modern technology.
The ABC Excellence in Construction awards program celebrates outstanding regional construction projects by recognizing companies whose work exemplifies the highest standards in craftmanship, quality, innovation, and commitment to safety in the construction industry. The EIC Eagle Award is the Program’s highest honor.
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About Ivey’s Construction
A third-generation, family-owned and operated business, Ivey’s is a Florida State Certified General Contractor commercial construction firm offering a full range of services including General Contracting, Construction Management, Design Build and AISC Advanced Certified Steel Erection. Ivey’s has established a reputation for delivering high-quality projects across a wide range of sectors with a strong focus on craftsmanship, safety, and collaboration. For more than 53 years, Ivey’s has partnered with clients to build innovative and functional facilities and spaces that serve communities and stand the test of time.
