T-Shirt Factory - Level 10 Apparel

Commercial Office + Manufacturing Renovation | 30,000 Total SqFt

Cedar Rapids, IA

Level 10 Apparel Headquarters is a commercial renovation project in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, transforming a former Gander Mountain retail space into a scalable, brand-driven workspace focused on growth and impact. Through adaptive reuse, strategic planning, and thoughtful design, the project supports production, retail, and a growing cultural workplace community, elevating the everyday experience of custom apparel production.

The Opportunity

The project presented a transformative opportunity to reimagine a big-box retail shell into a dynamic headquarters for a fast-growing custom t-shirt and apparel company. After outgrowing their previous location in Hiawatha, Iowa, our friends wanted help envisioning a space that could support tenfold growth, streamline production, and deliver an engaging in-store customer experience for many different client groups. The challenge was to create a space that reflected the brand’s foundational identity, enabling operational efficiency and growth, and provide a sense of place for their ever-growing staff.

The Solution

The design strategy focused on operational clarity and brand storytelling. The floor plan was divided into two distinct zones, a clear production process on the west and a dynamic retail experience on the east, enhancing workflow and allowing customers to engage with the apparel-making process. Inspired by the open-kitchen concepts of restaurants around the area and region, the layout invites users to experience production through spaces of transparency and connection between the production and retail area. The existing corner entry was reimagined to create a tailored service area, complete with a reception zone, changing rooms, and visible finishing area. The “L10 Production Experience” guides customers through design, production, and financial services, reinforcing Level 10’s commitment to speed, quality, and an unmatched customer story.

In lieu of traditional sales offices, small, semiprivate “L10-cubes” were integrated into the retail space to showcase active projects and apparel opportunities. These workstations double as sales offices and client showrooms, separated by “dadoed” wooden slats in branded blue hues. Shared entry points and communal spaces, including a break room and kitchenette—foster unity between production and retail staff, supporting a culture of collaboration and equality of position and individual impact.

The Impact

Level 10 Apparel Headquarters now functions as a living embodiment of the brand’s mission, where speed, quality, and community converge. The adaptive reuse of the former retail space honors sustainability while creating a vibrant, high-performing environment. For the client, the space has become a catalyst for growth, a hub for creativity, and a place where customers and employees alike feel connected to the process and the people behind the product. It’s more than a headquarters—it’s a destination that celebrates story, scale, and spirit.