Posted by Heidi Schwartz
Blu® Homes, Inc. (“Blu”), a provider of prefab homes, has announced the move of its corporate headquarters to Mare Island, in Vallejo, CA. Blu has now added 100,000 square feet of storage and office space to its existing 250,000 square feet of manufacturing facilities on the island. Additionally, Blu Homes broke ground on a Blu Design Center on Mare Island on January 27.
Blu’s new headquarters will be centered at a building most well known for its important role in rebuilding the Pacific Fleet after Pearl Harbor. Known as Building 680, Blu’s factory is part of the historic Mare Island Naval Shipyard—the first United States Navy base established on the Pacific Ocean.
“Two decades after closing down…this elegant building now centers a new vision for premium home building and green manufacturing in America,” said Blu CEO Bill Haney. “Two years ago, Blu opened this facility with 20 factory employees. With this move, we now have more than 260 craftspeople, engineers, architects, product development, project management and business professionals here.”
Historically, Building 680 was the heart of the Navy’s shipbuilding and repair works at Mare Island. Building 680 was also a significant employer of women during World War II, with its “Rosies of Mare Island Naval Shipyard”—often skilled machinists and welders, as well as “riveters.” Architecturally, Building 680 represents the last and the grandest expression of the curtain wall industrial design that dominated buildings at Mare Island from 1918 through the end of World War II. It was used as a machine shop until the mid 1990s, when operations were shut down. The facility remained dormant until Blu Homes took over in 2012.
“Blu’s luxury quality prefab homes are built by our team of highly skilled craftsmen and women in this facility
“By moving our headquarters to Mare Island and bringing all of our business units—from manufacturing and engineering to product management, design and project management—under one roof, we will increase collaboration and enhance innovation,” said COO Woody Bell.
“Vallejo has always been a place where creative ideas and hardworking people have come together to build great things,” said Jason Keadjian, spokesperson for Lennar Mare Island. “Blu Homes is now continuing that tradition on Mare Island, and we are proud to have them as a major part of our growing business community.”
