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Shawmut Readies Large Project Division for NYC Growth

2024-12-10

More than two years have passed since Shawmut set its sights on New York City. Now, the Boston-based company is all set to expand its large project division in this region. The contractor has recently appointed several leaders to new roles, bringing in a wealth of experience and expertise.

Shawmut's Strategic Growth in New York's Construction Sector

Alignment with Broader Growth Strategy

The large project division plays a crucial role in Shawmut's strategy to increase its market share in large-scale projects. In New York, the focus is on growing the portfolio in sectors like education, commercial, healthcare, and life sciences. At the same time, they are also aiming to increase the size of projects in established sectors such as hospitality, sports venues, cultural, and retail. Hiring and developing talent from within, as seen in the recent promotions and hires like Brian Troast, Kasia Mickowska, and Tom Howard, is an effective approach. The preconstruction team has also been expanded significantly since 2022, with investments in technology like 3D reality capture.This shows Shawmut's commitment to building a strong foundation for growth in the large project division.

Shifts in Target Sectors

Shawmut has made notable progress in growing its portfolio in healthcare and life sciences. Projects like Taconic Partners' life sciences hub at the Hudson Research Center, those at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian, and the recent completion of the $106 million St. John's University St. Vincent Health Sciences Center are examples.In the healthcare sector, there is a growing demand for high-end, luxury preventative healthcare and wellness centers. Shawmut's experience in healthcare, hospitality, and retail construction positions them well to meet this demand.

Reflecting Growth in Large-Scale Work

The St. Vincent Health Sciences Center at St. John's University is a remarkable $106 million, 70,000-square-foot ground-up academic building. It features advanced classrooms, laboratories, and patient simulation spaces to train future healthcare professionals. The facility is all-electric and energy-efficient, heated and cooled by a geothermal field with 66 wells drilled nearly 500 feet deep, which is only the second of its kind in New York City. During preconstruction, 3D logistics plans were leveraged to enhance planning and project efficiency. The team's technical skills ensured the project was completed on time and within budget.At New York Public Library's Aguilar branch, the team's expertise in historic preservation combined with skilled infrastructure work is evident as they continue to renovate the 120-year-old landmarked building.

Impact of Preconstruction Team

Projects thrive when stakeholders are aligned from the start. Preconstruction drives shared responsibility and accountability, leading to collaboration and problem-solving. Shawmut's director of preconstruction, Jason Karp, is an early adopter of technology, which helps refine the preconstruction process to align costs and schedules with client goals. The thorough preconstruction with St. John's University led to the successful delivery of the $106 million, ground-up St. Vincent Health Sciences Center on time and within budget.

Anticipated Construction Trends

There is an expected surge in pent-up demand for refreshed hotel rooms in New York, as well as new builds in Miami and Los Angeles, in 2025 and beyond. Shawmut is well-positioned to meet this demand by recently acquiring First Finish, a premier full-service hotel renovation contractor. The partnership combines the specialties of both firms - large, complex hotel projects and fast-track, luxury interiors - to provide a one-stop solution for clients with their expertise and extensive, highly skilled trade partner and supplier network. This unique offering sets them apart in the market, as most full-scale hotel projects require multiple contractors.

In Henderson, a high-rise apartment complex stands in total darkness for an entire year. This isn't just a visual blight; it's a source of frustration for business owners and nearby residents alike. Jeremy Day, the owner of Freak's Tattoo Emporium, vividly describes the situation, stating, "There's nothing there now. It's just a big dark empty building that's a plight on Water Street."

Unraveling the Mystery of the Henderson High-Rise

Construction Halt and the Empty Watermark Building

The mixed-use complex was first announced in 2021, promising to bring new life and foot traffic to the area. However, since December 2023, construction came to a screeching halt. As Jeremy Day recounts, "One day everybody just pulled out. They started moving equipment and a couple days later they came back, loaded up everything and were just gone." The seven-story high-rise was nearly complete but now finds itself nearly $16 million in debt due to liens filed against the property.This legal battle between the project's developer, Strada Development Group, and the contractor, Gillett Construction, has only added to the uncertainty. As Day puts it, "We thought they would get it worked out. Somebody would write some checks, they'd get paid and they'd be back on it."

The Impact on the Local Community

The empty building has not only affected business owners like Jeremy Day but also the local community. It stands as a reminder of what could have been and creates a sense of unease. Nearby residents look at the dark structure with concern, wondering when and if it will ever be brought back to life. The lack of progress has a ripple effect on the surrounding area, with hopes of a revitalized downtown now hanging in the balance.Businesses that were looking forward to the new complex now find themselves in limbo. They had plans and dreams tied to the project, and its sudden halt has left them scrambling to figure out their next steps.

The City's Hopes for a Resolution

The city of Henderson remains hopeful for a resolution. In a statement on Monday, city officials said, "Any actions regarding the Watermark project are subject to the ongoing U.S. bankruptcy court matter. The city remains hopeful for an agreement between the many stakeholders in the bankruptcy action and remains ready to help the project move forward to completion once allowed by the bankruptcy court."As of now, there is no clear timeline for when construction will start up again. Channel 13 has reached out to Strada Development Group but has not received a comment. The future of this once-promising project remains uncertain, leaving the community waiting with bated breath.

Cemex, a renowned provider of top-notch building materials, has emerged as a crucial player in the construction of the highly anticipated new Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa, Florida. This massive US$865 million project is set to become the largest bridge by surface area in the state, playing a vital role in hurricane evacuation preparedness. It marks a significant milestone in strengthening the region's infrastructure resilience.

Enhancing Connectivity and Emergency Preparedness

Expected to stretch approximately three miles over Old Tampa Bay, this bridge will significantly enhance connectivity between Tampa and the St. Petersburg area. It will serve as a crucial lifeline for residents during emergencies, providing a seamless transportation route. Cemex, with its extensive experience in providing durable and sustainable building solutions, has already contributed about 141,000 cubic yards of concrete and nearly 104,000 tons of aggregates to the project. The new design incorporates a bicycle and pedestrian trail, express lanes, and provisions for a light rail in the future, making it a multi-functional infrastructure asset. 1: The state-of-the-art facilities at Cemex, combined with its unwavering commitment to quality and its ability to meet the project's high demand, have been instrumental in ensuring the structural integrity and longevity of the bridge. The company's expertise in concrete and aggregates has been put to excellent use, contributing to the overall success of the construction. 2: Jeff Bobolts, Cemex US Regional President – East Region, expressed pride in working on the Florida Department of Transportation's critical infrastructure initiatives. He emphasized the company's dedication to supporting projects that have a significant impact on public safety and resilience, delivering top-notch building materials and meeting the needs of their customers.

Meeting Project Deadlines and Sustainability Goals

The bridge is scheduled to open to traffic by Spring 2025, and Cemex remains committed to upholding the highest standards of quality, safety, and environmental sustainability throughout the construction process. The company's focus on sustainability is evident in their choice of materials and construction methods, which aim to minimize the environmental impact while maximizing the durability and performance of the bridge. 1: By adhering to strict quality control measures and using advanced technologies, Cemex is ensuring that the bridge meets the highest industry standards. This not only guarantees the safety of users but also contributes to the long-term viability of the infrastructure. 2: The successful completion of this vital bridge project is expected to have a positive impact on the communities it serves. It will improve transportation connectivity and enhance disaster response capabilities, making Tampa and the surrounding areas more resilient in the face of natural disasters.