Some projects ask more of a team than schedule coordination and construction expertise. For Gordon Highlander, the task of bringing Trevor’s Place to life was one of those projects. As the work progressed, it became clear that the space being built would directly support a vital community mission.
In the following article, Josh Singleton, Director of Service and Warranty, and Josh Burnett, Project Manager, reflect on the project and share what it revealed about building with care, responsibility, and purpose.
Building With Intention: The 24 Hour Club Project
When Gordon Highlander was first asked to visit the 24 Hour Club in Dallas, the request seemed straightforward. Josh Burnett recalls, “Gordo sent me a note. He said, ‘Hey, we got a project. It’s called the 24 Hour Club. They want a little bit of work done. Can you reach out to them and find out what’s going on?’”
At that stage, the work appeared to be a limited scope focused on understanding the space and identifying what was needed. That perspective changed quickly once the team spent time on site and learned more about the organization and the people it serves.
Understanding the Place
The 24 Hour Club plays a specific role within the Dallas community. As Josh Singleton explains, “The 24 Hour Club is kind of a blend between a homeless shelter and a halfway house. They’re one of the only places in the city that will take you in off the street and then help you get sober.”
Hearing that mission firsthand reframed the project. The building would be used by people at a vulnerable point in their lives, which made the condition and character of the space especially important.
Josh Burnett described that shift clearly. “What I thought was going to be a small project turned into a really passionate project that I was thrilled to be a part of.”
When the Work Becomes Personal
For some members of our team, the connection to the 24 Hour Club extended beyond the project itself. Josh Singleton had an existing relationship with the organization. “I’ve been connected to the 24 Hour Club long before I ever worked at Gordon Highlander,” he said. His familiarity with the mission and the people involved helped guide the work with care and understanding.
Josh Burnett’s perspective was shaped by his own family history. “Addiction has been a part of my family for generations,” he shared. “Outside of the grace of God doing something dramatic with my dad, I wouldn’t be here.”
Those experiences did not change the project’s technical requirements, but they influenced how the team approached the work.
Building What the Mission Needed
The construction itself presented real challenges. The project involved adapting existing portable structures into functional, long-term spaces. “They acquired eight portables—double-wide trailers,” Josh Singleton explains. “We had to get really creative with how we get structural steel into a trailer, how we rip down walls, and how we deal with mold abatement.”
This technical ingenuity resulted in the creation of Trevor’s Place, a 6,336-square-foot facility designed to be a cornerstone of the 24 Hour Club’s expansion. By transforming these structures, the Gordon Highlander team created a space that delivers the “missing pieces” of the recovery puzzle with essential wrap-around services that help residents break through barriers to long-term sobriety.
Why This Project Matters to Us
Gordon Highlander operates as a for-profit business, and that reality informs every project we take on. As Josh Burnett noted, “If we’re not making money, this thing doesn’t continue.”
He also reflected on the broader perspective this project brought. “It’s easy to get lost sometimes in what we are doing. We’re just builders. We’re just building things for people.”
Working with the 24 Hour Club reinforced the responsibility that comes with building spaces intended to serve people directly. Josh Burnett summarized that responsibility simply. “We build businesses. We build buildings. We build people. We build relationships.”
Looking Forward
The full impact of this project will unfold over time. What we do know is that the space is now positioned to support the 24 Hour Club’s mission in a way that aligns with the care and intention behind the work.
For our team, this project stands as a reminder of the role we can play when we approach our work with focus and responsibility. It reflects how we want to show up as Gordon Highlander and the type of work we aim to continue doing.
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