Faber Construction has begun the construction of a new Peoples Bank branch in the heart of Fairhaven, WA. This marks the first ground-up bank facility Peoples Bank has built in nearly 20 years, and only the second standalone branch in Whatcom County, following their Ferndale location.

Located on the historic site of the former Wins Drive-In, a well-known local burger restaurant, the new two-story, 5,000-square-foot building pays homage to Fairhaven’s distinctive architectural charm. While the site lies just outside the official architectural review zone, the design, led by Dykeman Architects, embraces Fairhaven’s classic brick-and-stone aesthetic, incorporating a brick façade and stonework resembling Chuckanut limestone.

Construction began at the beginning of April 2025, with a strict deadline to complete the project by December 10. Currently, structural concrete is complete, and crews are moving into steel erection and framing, with a goal to “dry in” the building before the fall rains. A cutting-edge curtain wall construction method is being used, combining energy efficiency with long-term durability.

The project was delivered under a GCCM (General Contractor/Construction Manager) model, allowing Faber to be involved early in the design phase to ensure construction efficiencies and cost-effectiveness. Sourcing local subcontractors and materials where possible was also a key priority.

To accommodate construction safely, Mackenzie Avenue—an adjacent alleyway—has been temporarily closed and will reopen upon substantial project completion in November. Peoples Bank also took community concerns into account by including additional parking capacity to benefit both customers and neighboring businesses.

“Our collaboration with Dykeman Architects and Peoples Bank has been exceptional,” said Faber Construction Project Manager, Eric Oettel.

This new facility ensures that Peoples Bank customers in Fairhaven will continue to have a convenient local branch, especially as the current in-store Haggen location nears the end of its lease.