McDonald Building Company celebrates the groundbreaking of Beech Street Factory, Pottstown

800x600Normal0falsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEMicrosoftInternetExplorer4/* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-priority:99;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-para-margin:0in;mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}

Today, McDonald Building Company celebrated the groundbreaking of Beech Street Factory, a former furniture manufacturing facility that will soon transition into 43 comfortable, sustainable, and affordable urban loft apartments and artist hub.  Originally built in 1912, this massive brick warehouse complex first served as the Leibowitz Shirt Factory, then the Fecera’s furniture warehouse, and now this deteriorating structure that has been in need of a revival will see a new day.  The project calls for the rehabilitation of the 60,000 sq. ft. site and structures into mixed-use residential geared towards local artists and features ADA-accessible commercial space that will serve ArtFusion 19464, a local non-profit art school and gallery.  Sustainable highlights include EnergySTAR appliances and water-conserving initiatives to keep the residents’ utility bills at a minimum.  The large windows and historic character of this building only enhance the overall site developments including landscaped parking lots, a new central open air courtyard and other amenities such as gallery space, leasing offices, and a community room.  

The Pennsylvania Housing & Finance Agency (PHFA) is providing a $1.1 million low-income housing tax credit towards the project and additional funding is being provided by Montgomery County and Enterprise Community Investment among others. Congratulations to Housing Visions and Genesis Housing Corporation on the long-awaited start to this exciting project.  MBC is excited to be a part of this visionary project and the revitalization of this area of Pottstown.  Barton Partners is the Architect of Record and construction is expected to take about a year and complete by early 2017. 

Click here to view renderings of this project and more info.

Construction Team & Project Partners 

Construction Team & Project Partners

Local & Federal Officials and Funding Partners

Local & Federal Officials and Funding Partners

McDonald Building Company Beech Street Factory Project Team from left to right: Brian Blickos-Project Engineer; Keith Hart-Project Manager; Brad Springer- Lead Estimator; Michelle Nichols - Project Coordinator; and Vince Scatamacchia - Project Super…

McDonald Building Company Beech Street Factory Project Team from left to right: Brian Blickos-Project Engineer; Keith Hart-Project Manager; Brad Springer- Lead Estimator; Michelle Nichols - Project Coordinator; and Vince Scatamacchia - Project Superintendent

The Honorable Tim Hennessey, PA House of Representatives, commemorating the groundbreaking with a solid wall bashing.

The Honorable Tim Hennessey, PA House of Representatives, commemorating the groundbreaking with a solid wall bashing.

MBC begins renovations at Kennedy Health System

McDonald Building Company has been named the Construction Manager for Interior Renovations and Equipment Upgrade at the Kennedy Health System IR Suite located in Washington Township, NJ.

The work will primarily revolve around installing new steel and utility systems to support new Siemens radiology equipment. Features includes upgrades to the finishes and lighting in the procedure, equipment and control rooms. Finish and ceiling device upgrades will also be made to the 3 prep and recovery bays, nurses’ station, toilet rooms, and corridor within the IR Suite.

Construction is anticipated to run 4 months and complete Winter 2016.

McDonald Building Company recognized in two lists for Fastest Growing Companies

Normal0falsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONE/* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-priority:99;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-para-margin-top:0in;mso-para-margin-right:0in;mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;mso-para-margin-left:0in;line-height:107%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}

McDonald Building Company is pleased to announce that it has ranked #24 on the Philadelphia 100 Fastest Growing Companies List for 2015 (regional).  Earlier this year, MBC also ranked in the top quarter of the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies for 2015 (national) landing at the #1280 spot. 

The rankings were based on the company’s percentage increase in sales from from the prior three full years of business and McDonald Building Company had a 187% increase in revenues from 2012 through 2014. 

The Philly100 contest is run by the Wharton Small Business Development Center, The Entrepreneurs’ Forum of Greater Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Paul McDonald, President comments - "Our recent success in both the Philly 100 and Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing lists are a direct reflection of two significant hallmarks of our business.  First, I'd like to thank our phenomenal client list including the Owners, Architects and Engineers who trust us with their new endeavors and continue to use MBC as their construction resource.  Second, there's no question that our success is directly proportional to the hard work and dedication of our great staff.  As we wind down 2015 and gear up for another fabulous year, I extend my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to our clients and employees and wish them all the best in 2016."

The Gala Awards Ceremony for the 2015 Philly100 honorees was held on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at the Annenberg Center, Philadelphia.

The Gala Awards Ceremony for the 2015 Philly100 honorees was held on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at the Annenberg Center, Philadelphia.

MBC awarded medical office building at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital

001135772SAP AG6190614.096800x600Normal0falsefalsefalseEN-USJAX-NONE/* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-priority:99;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-para-margin:0in;mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri;}McDonald Building Company has been named the Construction Manager for the renovations at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital’s medical office building - a $2 million single phase interior renovation project of the 3-story space.  The 40,000 square foot building will primarily include full demolition of the existing partitions, installation of new mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems along with all new finishes.  Features include the fit-out of 27 new exam rooms, 7 medical office suites, 3 laboratories, 2 intake nooks, and 6 restrooms.  Elevator finishes will be replaced and a new waiting area with visitor amenities will be created. 

Brawer & Hauptman Architects and Watchdog Project Management are a part of the collaborative effort to bring these new medical services and updated space to Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital this summer.  Construction is to begin in April and is anticipated to run 5 months.

JBJ Soul Homes wins 2014 Award for Excellence by ULI Philadelphia

JBJ Soul Homes was 1 of 9 award recipients of the 2014 ULI Philadelphia's Awards for Excellence last week.  More than 70 applications for the award were received and just 9 were chosen from a national panel of jurists.

Projects selected for an award were those that best met ULI’s mission to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide; achieve excellence in the use of best practices; demonstrate quality planning and design; incorporate elements that build healthy places; promote environmental sustainability and energy reduction; achieve economic success and market acceptance; and meet community needs.

Congratulations to Project HOME, Kitchen & Associates Architects, Innova, and People for People.  A special thanks to the lead funders that made it possible: JBJ Soul Foundation, Elizabeth Moran, Leigh and John Middleton, TD Bank, and PHFA.

For a complete list of award winners click here.

North Penn Commons Breaks Ground

(Lansdale, Pa.) McDonald Building Company has been named the Construction Manager for North Penn Commons - a $12.6 million 4-story housing development that will provide affordable and transitional housing opportunities for seniors and older adults with disabilities.  More than 100 supporters gathered yesterday to celebrate the official groundbreaking and start of construction including speakers from the North Penn Community Health Foundation and funding agencies.

Located at the former Lans-Bowl property in Lansdale, North Penn Commons brings together four organizations to this $27.4 million multi-use gateway complex that will include a YMCA expansion and new locations for Manna on Main Street to operate its soup kitchen, and The PEAK Center, programs for active adults, all connected by a unified atrium.  This all-access lobby will connect the campus and serve as the heart and hub of activity for all residents, members, clients and community members.

The 82,000 sq. ft. facility will include 60 residential units for Advanced Living Communities and features on-site resident services including recreational activities, medical & educational resources, and access to supportive services and transportation for the aging community.

Construction is planned for August of this year and is expected to be complete in 13 months.

Urban Land Institute (ULI) nominates two MBC projects for 2014 Awards for Excellence

JBJ Soul Homes and 115 21st Street have both been selected as finalists for ULI Philadelphia's Inaugural Williard G. "Bill" Rouse Awards for Excellence.  The Awards for Excellence will recognize the best projects completed within the last five years in Eastern & Central PA, Southern NJ, and Delaware.

The 28 finalists were selected from the 60 nominations ULI received and represent a wide variety of project types, including adaptive reuse, commercial, residential and many more from across the tri-state region. 

Winners will be honored at an awards ceremony June 18th, 2014.

Urban Land Institute (ULI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities.

Jon Bon Jovi visits JBJ Soul Homes

The rock star legend himself came to visit the JBJ Soul Homes project a few weeks ago as MBC is nearing the completion of construction.  Jon Bon Jovi and his foundation, JBJ Soul Foundation, provided a significant amount of funds and vision for this project and walked the site to check out progress.  Later that night, Bon Jovi performed at the GreenBuild Philadelphia's keynote celebration.

115 21st Street Micro-Unit Apartment Renovations ABC News Feature

http://v5

McDonald Building Company selected as Construction Manager for five-story health care facility

McDonald Building Company is proud to be selected as the Construction Manager for a complete renovation of the 88,000 sq. ft. existing Health Center at Pine Run Retirement Community.   Construction expected to begin late 2013 and is scheduled to open 2015.

For more information, click here to read article written by Barbara Chierici, Senior Director of Marketing @ Pine Run Retirement Community.

McDonald Building Company partners with U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR® Program

McDonald Building Company (MBC)  is proud to announce its partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR for New Homes Program.  Through this partnership, MBC will provide homebuyers with energy efficient new homes that save money on utility bills, offer greater comfort and better performance, and help to protect the environment.

To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the EPA.   Homes built to the ENERGY STAR guidelines are at least 20% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2009 International Residential Code, and include additional energy saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard new homes.

“As a builder of multi-family residential and commercial construction projects, partnering with Energy Star just makes good sense.  Their programs help our field supervisors maintain better quality control in the field while saving our clients and end users money long after we are gone,” says Paul McDonald, President.

ENERGY STAR qualified homes offer all the features people want in a new home, plus energy-saving features like comprehensive air sealing, properly installed insulation, high performance windows, efficient heating and cooling equipment, whole-house mechanical ventilation, water-managed construction details, energy-efficient lighting and appliances and third-party verification.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 23,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov.

Chapman Chevrolet renovations underway, Ford dealership complete

The renovations at the Chapman Chevrolet have begun and is on track to be complete in a tight 6-month schedule wrapping up this spring.  The 24,000 sq. ft. auto dealership on Essington Avenue will be adding a new showroom, service extension, a link between the sales and service buildings, and a new controlled service dropoff area all the while remaining fully occupied and operational during construction.  Chapman Auto Group is the Owner and Kramer + Marks Architects is the Architect of Record.

This is the second project MBC is building for Chapman Auto Group.  McDonald Building Company just completed the additions and renovations for Chapman Ford Northeast over on Roosevelt Boulevard in the fall of 2012, another tight schedule of 3 months to complete.  The Ford dealership offers a new customer showroom, entrance upgrades, and service department offices along with a new express drop-off/pick-up area. 

JBJ Soul Homes – Affordable housing mixed use project launches at Broad & Fairmount

(Philadelphia, Pa.) McDonald Building Company has been named the Construction Manager for JBJ Soul Homes - an $11 million housing development that will cater to low-income families and individuals trying to escape homelessness.  More than 200 supporters gathered yesterday under a pitched tent to celebrate the official start of construction on the site.

JBJ Soul Homes is a four-story mixed use development with 15,000 sq. ft. ground floor retail and commercial space along with 75,000 sq. ft. of 55 residential rental units above.

The project is a collaboration, led by Project H.O.M.E., People for People, and Greater Exodus Baptist Church and is being funded by a broad number of public sources and private donations, most notably JBJ Soul Foundation, founded by Musician Jon Bon Jovi, along with Leigh and John Middleton, who run a charitable housing initiative called the Middleton Partnership.

JBJ Soul Homes is expected to be completed by Fall 2013.  Click here to view progress photos of the project.

McDonald Building Company gears up for the start of three projects

We are proud to announce the start of construction on three new projects this summer– two in South Jersey and one in downtown Philadelphia.

As part of the NJHMFA Multifamily Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Northgate II (Camden, NJ) will receive significant energy efficient upgrades with plans to exceed an energy reduction target of 15% and a payback period of less than 10 years.  Scope of work includes $2.0 MM in upgrades to the mechanical, electrical, and exterior envelope of the structure resulting in significant energy cost reductions.  Northgate is owned by Fair Share Housing Development Corporation and Lammey & Giorgio is the architect on record.  Construction begins July 2011 and is expected to run approximately five months.  John Ambrose, Project Manager will be leading this project.

Renovations of 120 Haddontowne Court (Cherry Hill, NJ) are currently underway and are being converted into new law offices.  The new space will include a detailed lobby/waiting area, custom millwork, installation of fresh new lighting and finishes.  Haddontowne Court is estimated to complete September 2011.  Project architect is GLP Architects.

And lastly for now, Sedgley Plaza (Ridge & Sedgley Avenues, Philadelphia, Pa.) – a new 22,000 sq. ft. retail center will soon undergo sitework and construction with the objective to be in business for the 2011 holiday season.  Dollar General will be the anchor store along with seven individual retail stores. Ajile Properties is the Owner and JKR Partners  is the project architect.  Ben Lusch will be heading up this project as Project Manager for MBC.