Awaken Eastlake Church
Location :
Chula Vista, CA
Client :
Awaken Church
Project Type :
Design Build
Completion Year:
2026
Project Overview
This project is the definitive case study for Project Rescue & Recovery. It demonstrates how Trust Builders leverages technical authority and agency expertise to hit the "reset" button on a stalled development and bring a mission-driven project back from the brink of collapse.
Project Overview:
Project Name: Awaken Eastlake
Location: Chula Vista, CA
Size: 40,000 SF
Role: Project Recovery & General Contracting
Timeline: Accelerated 6-Month Build (Original Projection: 9 Months)
Completion: Easter 2026 (Non-negotiable target met)
The Challenge: A Three-Year Stall
Before Trust Builders was engaged, the Awaken Eastlake development was at a complete standstill. The project had spent three years stuck in permitting, the previous architect had been released, and the owner was left with no clear strategy for completion. With the entire development at risk of collapse, the project required more than a builder—it required a technical salvage expert.
The Trust Builders Intervention
Upon joining the project, we immediately applied our Recovery Specialist framework to break the deadlock:
Agency Navigation: Leveraging Matthew Horak’s expertise in navigating complex municipal processes, we resolved the permitting issues that had paralyzed the project for years.
Strategic Design Realignment: Working in concert with the new Architect, we led the design team to develop a project model that satisfied the client’s space requirements while remaining strictly within budget.
Schedule Acceleration: With the budget locked and the mission clear, we leveraged our boutique agility to compress a 9-month construction schedule into just 6 months to meet the critical Easter Sunday opening.
Key Project Features
The recovery effort delivered a high-performance, technical facility with "hotel-level" finishes across 40,000 square feet:
Main Sanctuary: 900-seat stadium-style sanctuary designed for high-capacity gatherings.
Technical Systems: A concert-level audio, visual, and lighting (AVL) package integrated for broadcast-quality production.
Specialized MEP: Installation of a high-efficiency 50-ton package heat pump system to manage climate control for large crowds.
Educational Wing: 9 specialized classrooms supporting both Sunday school and a full-time weekday school program.
Hospitality: A full-service café and high-end lobby finishes, creating a premium visitor experience.
The Recovery Result
By treating this project as a primary mission rather than an afterthought, we restored stakeholder confidence, secured the "paper trail," and delivered a facility that met the client's non-negotiable deadline.
"After bringing on Matthew Horak, everything changed. His technical design expertise and ability to navigate complex processes didn't just move the project forward—it saved it."
