by Brianna Crandall — July 23, 2021 — As New York City begins its reopening phase from the more than year-long pandemic that sent office workers and companies scrambling to other states, suburbs and the outer boroughs, construction services firm Swinerton is opening its first New York office in the company’s 133-year history to help with space reconfiguration needs.
Located at 292 Madison Avenue, the new office will be managed by Andrew Pearl, life-long Yankees fan and former New Yorker, who returns to his roots from Swinerton’s California headquarters to head up the New York operation.
Swinerton can meet NYC office space reconfiguration needs with 133 years of experience, plus self-perform capabilities in drywall, concrete, timber, renewable energy and pre-engineered parking. Image courtesy Swinerton
Eric Foster, CEO of Swinerton, stated:
Despite the uncertainty due to the pandemic that adversely impacted New York City, particularly in the office market sector, Swinerton sees opportunity in crisis. We build nationally and will connect with our long-standing clients to serve them best in one of the hardest-hit areas of the country.
Swinerton says it is not your typical construction services company. It not only brings to New York its 133-year-old legacy in building expertise but also its self-perform capability in key trades such as drywall, concrete, doors/frames/hardware; with Timberlab, mass timber delivery and integration; SAK Builders Division 3 concrete services; Swinerton Renewable Energy; and Perq, a first-of-its kind product in collaboration with Walker Consultants that is an innovation to design, build, and deliver pre-designed and pre-engineered parking solutions in 13 months.
Swinerton is betting on bringing its expertise and national reputation in building affordable housing, aviation, education, corporate and critical facilities, gaming, healthcare, hospitality, interiors, residential, retail, life sciences, and renewable energy to New York as it builds back stronger and better. The company is currently working for Fortune 500 Corporate Services clients in Pennsylvania; Maryland; Washington, DC; and Virginia, and has already secured work in New York City.
Andrew Pearl, Swinerton VP, division manager, remarked:
At Swinerton, we don’t see New York City at the end of its glory days in construction and real estate growth, and one would just need to look to Facebook’s 730,000-square-foot lease at Farley Post Office this summer as proof. As others see a decline in urban centers, in a post-Covid climate, we are targeting corporate interiors as a sector presenting for change with many more hard-walled offices as opposed to open spaces. As people return to the city, the spaces in which they live, work, and learn will need to be re-configured.
Swinerton says it has thrived and survived the test of time by emerging into a $5 billion national commercial construction company with great financial strength, national clients, project diversity, and a company culture that is proud of its 100% employee ownership. Many Swinerton buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places and architectural preservation lists.
Swinerton currently has 20 offices in nine states across the country and is ranked #17 on the ENR 2021 list of top contractors in the country. The company adapted its construction strategies and pivoted to survive two World Wars, a Great Depression and a Great Recession, two global pandemics, as well as many crises and national disasters.
David Callis, Swinerton president and COO, added:
Swinerton is staying true to its DNA by expanding the markets we explore and targeting opportunities to build in locations where our clients have needs. We are a very hands-on company with a white glove approach to building and feel the need to answer the call to build back better and stronger in post-pandemic New York.”
The company, which was founded in 1888 as a masonry and contracting firm, put down roots by following the post-Gold Rush era in Los Angeles. According to the company, when disaster struck San Francisco in 1906 and a major earthquake destroyed 28,000 structures, the only buildings left standing were built of concrete by Swinerton, making them the first to pioneer reinforced concrete as a building material to withstand the pressures of California earthquakes.
Swinerton has been a 100% employee-owned company since 1980 in which nearly 5000 employees, half of which represent the trade, share in the company’s profits and are thoroughly committed to its success. The Swinerton Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that helps build sustainable cities and neighborhoods by partnering with community-focused nonprofit organizations to support health, social services, cultural, education and environmental programs that benefit all members of the community.
Andrew Pearl concluded:
Being in the New York market has accelerated the company’s 15-year business plan to expand both geographically and through sector diversification. For now, we are bullish on office interiors as our target sector and fulfilling our East Coast expansion plan.
For more information about the new NYC office location and Swinerton construction and reconfiguration services, visit the company’s website.
