NEWS.
Latest & Greatest.
Whether it's a new project, construction industry updates, an employee teaming event or an opportunity to celebrate the best in our community - there's always something to talk about at McDonald Building Company.
Philadelphia Zoo Bear Country shows only progress, no hibernation here!
We can't stop and won't stop talking about Francis J. Carey Bear Country at Philadelphia Zoo.
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Throwing it back to where Bear Country began. The drone shots capture just a few moments from the transformation. Behind every flight was a team navigating Philadelphia winters, shifting schedules, and the unique challenge of building inside an active zoo. Projects like this don't always follow a straight path. Building a habitat meant adapting to changing conditions, adjusting the plan when needed, and working together to keep the project moving forward without losing sight of the bigger picture. Looking back makes opening day even more rewarding. The hard work never hibernated. Congrats again to our Zoo Crew! #buildingontrust#mbcbuilds#philadelphiazoo#welcometothembcfamily#careybearcountry#conservationmatters#aza#partnership
RING THE BELL FOR MATT! MBC celebrates huge milestone for our colleague and friend, Matt Coleman
Every project starts with a milestone. This week, so did a new chapter.
At McDonald Building Company, our project bell is traditionally rung to celebrate the award of a new project and the beginning of what’s ahead…This week, we were honored to ring it for something even more meaningful.
Surrounded by his family and work family, Matt Coleman rang the bell to celebrate the completion of chemotherapy and the beginning of his next chapter.
Over the past 15 months, we’ve watched Matt face every obstacle with extraordinary strength, resilience, and perspective. Through surgeries, treatments, and countless challenges, he’s reminded us that courage isn’t found in one defining moment. It’s built one day, one step, and one milestone at a time.
In Matt’s own words, “Milestones matter.”
We couldn’t agree more.
While no one would choose the road Matt has traveled, we are incredibly grateful to celebrate this moment alongside him. Ringing our project bell wasn’t just about recognizing everything he’s overcome. It was also about looking ahead with hope and honoring what comes next.
Matt, thank you for reminding all of us to slow down, celebrate the wins along the way, and appreciate the people who stand beside us. Congratulations, Matt!
We’re proud to stand beside you as you begin this next chapter. #teammbc #buildingontrust #mbccares #braintumorawareness
Matthew Coleman
MBC is beary excited to celebrate Carey Bear Country - Grand Opening!
Bear with us…we’ve been waiting a long time to share this one. Francis J. Carey Bear Country is officially open at Philadelphia Zoo!
This unbelievable and beloved habitat started renovations in February 2025 and landed with an exciting ribbon-cutting on June 4. Through it all, MBC worked with an incredible team of owners, zoo staff, designers, builders, trade partners, donors, and consultants to bring this vision to life.
Today, visitors can experience a state-of-the-art habitat featuring natural climbing structures, immersive viewing opportunities, and thoughtfully designed spaces that support both bear enrichment and guest engagement. The project also included improvements to neighboring Hollenstein Ross Penguin Point, creating even more opportunities for guests to connect with wildlife and conservation efforts throughout the Zoo.MBC was honored to serve as Construction Manager on a project that will create meaningful experiences for families, support the Zoo’s mission, and help inspire future generations of conservationists.
As CM, we had the unique opportunity to help bring these spaces to life while working within an active Zoo environment. From bear and penguin habitats with specialized features and guest-facing improvements, this project challenged our team in all the best ways and showcased what can happen when strong partnerships come together around a shared vision.
A special shoutout to our MBC Zoo Crew - Sam Cellucci, Chris Fernes, Shea Tomlinson Gregory, John Weiland, Regina Ennis, Aubrey McDonald, Joshua Gonzalez, Jared Applegate, Matthew Coleman, and Jeff Graef for helping guide this project from groundbreaking to grand opening.
Thank you to Philadelphia Zoo, PGAV Architects, Dan Bosin Associates, WholeTrees Structures, our trade partners, and the many organizations and individuals who helped make this project possible. Your craftsmanship, collaboration, and commitment helped turn a vision into reality. And to everyone who helped bring neighboring Hollenstein Ross Penguin Point to life, thank you for helping this project waddle its way to the finish line.
The bears have officially moved in, the penguins are settling into their updated home, the gates are open, and we couldn’t be more excited to see visitors experience these spaces for years to come. We can BEAR-ly contain our excitement.#buildingontrust#mbcbuilds#philadelphiazoo#welcometothembcfamily#careybearcountry#conservationmatters#aza#partnership
Philadelphia Zoo, Dan Bosin Associates, PGAV Architects, PGAV Destinations, WholeTrees® Structures, EC Fence & Iron Works, Inc., John J Dougherty & Son, Healy Long & Jevin, Inc, Mar-Allen, Guthrie Glass & Metal Corporation, West Chester Mechanical Contractors, INC., CurrentMaster Electric, LLC., EDA Contractors, Inc., Philadelphia Carpentry Systems, Nets Unlimited Inc, Arena Maintenance Solutions, DiDonato Contracting, General Masonry & Restoration Inc., and OLIVER SPRINKLER OLIVER SPRINKLER
GBCA recognizes MBC in their Member Spotlight this week!
GBCA Member Spotlight: McDonald Building Company
Built on trust and driven by collaboration, McDonald Building Company, LLC continues to deliver high-quality construction management services across the Philadelphia region.
Read more: https://ow.ly/8QpJ50ZcsWA
Final Flyby Friday - Grand Opening Edition for the Apartments at Clearfield!
Fresh off last week's Grand Opening, we're taking a look at Apartments at Clearfield, a new 47,250-square-foot affordable senior housing community developed by NewCourtland in Philadelphia's Allegheny West neighborhood! One year ago, Batman was overhead capturing the topping out of the structure, and last week, he was back for the exciting celebration of completion.
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This four-story community provides 48 affordable one-bedroom apartments for independent seniors, along with thoughtfully designed gathering spaces, supportive services, and amenities that help residents remain connected to the community they call home. Tuesday's celebration brought together project partners, community leaders, residents, and supporters, including remarks from MBC President Paul McDonald. It was a meaningful reminder of what can be accomplished when building partners come together around a shared vision. MBC is grateful to NewCourtland for their partnership and leadership throughout this project, as well as Allegheny West Foundation, PHFA, PHA, Stone Sherick Consulting Group, CBP Architects, our fellow trade partners, and many others whose dedication helped bring this community to life. Philadelphia has a significant need to further housing solutions for aging residents, and we are proud to be a part of this tremendous team. NewCourtland - we are ready for the next one!
Projects like Apartments at Clearfield remind us that our affordable housing work is about more than constructing buildings. It's about creating spaces that support independence, strengthen communities, and provide opportunities for people to thrive for years to come. From sitework to final finishes, dignity is found in the details. #buildingontrust #welcometothembcfamily #mbccares #flybyfriday #affordablehousing #seniorliving #communitydevelopment #newcourtland #philadelphia
NewCourtland, Allegheny West Foundation, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA), Stone Sherick Consulting Group, LLC., CBP Architects
MBC Project Team: Iliana Limon, Ed Swank, BETH CICHONSKI, Beth Giorla, Blair Biggin, Paul McDonald, Tom McDonald, Matthew Coleman, Brad Springer, Danielle Terpoilli, Laura Clevenger
Batman Pilot Extraordinaire - Andrew Lojewski
MBC goes Gray in May in a very MBC way!
MBC Went Gray in May. Throughout May, our team wore gray in support of Brain Tumor Awareness Month and our colleague, Matt Coleman.
Over the past year, we’ve watched Matt navigate an unimaginable journey with strength, grace, and perspective. While awareness campaigns often last a month, the realities of a diagnosis extend far beyond a single calendar page. For us at MBC, going gray was a small way to show support, raise awareness, and remind Matt and his family that they are not walking this road alone.
Along the way, Matt has taught all of us something, too. Through every update, treatment, and milestone, he has reminded us of the power of taking life one step at a time and focusing on what matters most. The support shown throughout May was a reflection of what makes the MBC team special. We celebrate wins together, face challenges together, and show up for one another when it matters most.
Thank you to everyone who participated throughout the month and helped bring awareness to an important cause. Matt, thank you for the perspective you’ve shared with all of us. We’re proud to stand beside you, one step at a time. #mbccares #buildingontrust #braintumorawarenessmonth #gograyinmay #teammbc
GBCA highlights MDSA strategic alliance in latest issue of Construction Today!
Proud to see 3.0 University Place and the future home of Philadelphia’s Office of Forensic Science featured in GBCA’s Construction Today issue! This project represents the power of strong partnerships, thoughtful coordination, and teams aligned around a shared vision from day one. Honored to be part of this work alongside MDSA, Dale Corp, University Place Associates, and the extended project team.
#buildingontrust #lifesciences #construction #mdsa #strategicalliance
General Building Contractors Association (GBCA), UPA | University Place Associates, Dale Corp, MDSA
https://issuu.com/gbca/docs/construction_today_issue_1_2026?fr=xKAE9_zMzMw
MBC honors and remembers this Memorial Day 2026
This Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. We are grateful for their courage, their service, and the freedoms they helped protect. Wishing everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day from all of us at MBC. #buildingontrust #mbccares #memorialday2026 #honorandremember
SADV hosts Meet and Greet at MBC Norristown Office
Last week, MBC was proud to welcome the Subcontractors Association of Delaware Valley (SADV) to the MBC Norristown office for an afternoon meet & greet with industry partners, colleagues, and friends across the AEC community. It was a great afternoon of presentations, conversation, networking, and connecting with both familiar and new faces. A special shoutout to our fabulous Office Manager, Michelle, for helping the event run so smoothly behind the scenes.
We’re grateful to organizations like SADV that continue creating opportunities for collaboration, education, and relationship building across our industry. Thank you to everyone who stopped by and to SADV for partnering with us on a great event. #buildingontrust #mbccares #sadv #constructionindustry #networking #communityconnections
SADV - Subcontractors Association of Delaware Valley
Brad Springer, Beth Armbruster, MBA, BETH CICHONSKI, Caden DeNicola, Iliana Limon, Jeff Graef, Joshua Gonzalez, Kelly Giuliani (McGettigan), Michelle Tyler, Matthew Coleman
Exciting updates over at Beaumont at Bryn Mawr!
Big things happening out at Beaumont at Bryn Mawr!
MBC is continuing renovations across this active senior living community, with work focused on resident suites, dining areas, wellness spaces, and shared community areas throughout the campus. Over the past two weeks, the team successfully passed all inspections! These are huge milestone moments for the project team, completing this work while residents and staff continue using the community every day. Round of applause to all!
Beaumont continues to come to life room by room, with renovated resident suites and refreshed community spaces thoughtfully built for the residents, families, and staff who rely on them every day....In senior living environments, dignity is in the details. Renovating an occupied senior living community takes a special level of coordination, patience, and care, and we’re grateful for a team of supportive partners. #buildingontrust #mbccares #seniorliving #construction #projectteam #communityconnections
Beaumont at Bryn Mawr, Becker & Frondorf, AEI-AE, Core States Group
Shout out to our MBC Team! Andrew McDonald, Renee Ellick, Michael Mohr, Angelica Kreider, Joshua Gonzalez, and Aubrey McDonald
MBC revisits Maguire Residence by Project HOME
Some projects stay with you over the years. The impact. The importance...and always the team behind it.
Maguire Residence in Philadelphia is one of those special projects, and one we have the pleasure of calling back to from 2020. The 50,000 sq ft. 42 units of permanent supportive housing provide spaces that help support people day-to-day.
As MBC heads into May, we’re grateful for work like this and for partners like Project HOME who make it possible.
#buildingontrust#mbccares#communityconnections#projecthome#mbcfamily
Project HOME | Thriven Design | Eustace Engineering | Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia | Michael A. Beach & Associates
Impact Day leaves an Impact on MBC!
Impact Day 2026 with ACHIEVEability has come and gone, but the impact it has on the community is long-lasting! Last Friday, we felt the Philly pride with a great turnout, a lot of hands at work, 143 porches painted, and over 500 residents served by this tremendous group of volunteers. Big shoutout to our MBC crew Ali, Dylan, Iliana, Josh, Kelly, and Paul (Can we get this crew a show on HGTV?). Proud to be part of something that supports our community and brings our team together. Thank you to ACHIEVEability and all the volunteers who made it happen! #buildingontrust #mbccares #communityconnections #impactday
Paul McDonald, Ali Perkey, CHC, Iliana Limon, Dylan Robertson, Joshua Gonzalez, Kelly Giuliani (McGettigan)
Chopping up the work week with some fun with HFMADV!
Thank you to HFMADV for a great event and big thanks to our fellow sponsors. Thank you to Blair, Andrew, Matt, and Jeff! Maybe no bullseyes (so close!), but they still hit the mark representing Team MBC. #mbccares #buildingontrust #hfmadv #healthcarefacilities #communityconnections
MBC Proud! Power Her Tools event with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware
Earlier this month, Kelly Giuliani (McGettigan) and Iliana Limon were invited to represent MBC as panelists at the Power Her Tools event with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware.
They shared their paths into construction and what the job actually looks like day to day, building young women up in the community and giving them a real look at careers in the trades.
MBC proud for representing us and women in construction so well! Thank you to Ronike Haynie and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware for putting it together. #buildingontrust #womeninconstruction #mbcfamily #constructioncareers #community #teammbc
MDSA partners with Dusty Robotics at 3.0 University Place
𝐁𝐈𝐌 → 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥-𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭, 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐛.
Work is moving at 3.0 University Place in University City, where MDSA is building out the future home of the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Forensic Science within this 250,000 SF life sciences facility.
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Projects like this demand precision and it all starts with layout.
Watch how our team leveraged Dusty Robotics to digitally print wall framing layout, overhead mechanicals, and utility markings directly onto the slab, translating our BIM model into full-scale layout with exceptional accuracy. The result is increased efficiency, reduced labor, and no need for traditional chalk snaps. It is a smarter, more streamlined approach and a great example of how construction technology is helping our teams build better.
Grateful to collaborate with partners who continue to push the industry forward. And a big thank you to Elevated Angles for capturing it all from a whole new perspective.
#buildingontrust #mdsa #strategicalliance #dustyrobotics #universitycity #construction #bim
Dusty Robotics | MDSA | The Dale Collaborative | UPA | University Place Associates | Elevated Angles
MBC celebrates Danielle Terpoilli’s Promotion to Estimator
Please join us in congratulating Danielle Terpoilli on her promotion to Estimator!
Danielle has been a part of the MBC team for many years and is someone our teams, partners, and clients have come to know and trust. She has built strong relationships across the board and brings a level of care and attention to detail that shows up in every project she touches.
This promotion reflects the consistency and commitment she brings to her work every day, along with the impact she continues to make across MBC projects and partnerships.
We are proud of Danielle and excited to see her step into this next role. Congratulations, Danielle! #buildingontrust #promotion #mbcfamily #teamupdate #mbcbuildsfromwithin Danielle Terpoilli
MBC’s Masters Par-Tee is a tradition unlike any other
Teeing up for the Opening Day at the Masters at MBC! A tradition unlike any other. #buildingontrust #mastersweek #openingday #jimnantzapproved
Congrats to Josh Gonzalez!
Congratulations to MBC's own, Josh Gonzalez, on completing CFMA’s Leadership Acceleration Program and being recognized among this year’s graduates! As one of our Project Cost Accountants, Josh plays a key role on our team, and we were proud to support him and attend this celebration recognizing all of his hard work. #buildingontrust #mbcproud #cfma #constructionleadership #mbcbuildsfromwithin
Joshua Gonzalez, Tom McDonald, CFMA | Philadelphia Chapter
MDSA celebrates West Labs completion at 3.0 University Place
Excited to share the completion of the West Labs at 3.0 University Place in Philadelphia’s University City district. This marks another successful project delivered through the MDSA Strategic Alliance (McDonald Building Company and Dale Corporation). The project included the construction of approximately 20,000 SF of combination lab and office suites on the third floor of one of the region’s premier life sciences and office buildings. The goal was to create flexible, move-in-ready workspace that could support a range of tenants across life sciences, technology, and professional services. These suites feature modern finishes, adaptable workspaces, and collaborative areas designed to help tenants move in quickly while tailoring the space to their needs.
Located within one of Philadelphia’s most active innovation corridors, 3.0 University Place stands out as a LEED and WELL Platinum-certified life sciences building - one of the first of its kind in the United States. The project helps provide high-quality workspace for companies looking to establish or expand their presence in University City. Thank you to the partners and teams who helped bring this project to completion, especially our partners at University Place Associates and CRB Architects & Engineers, along with the many trade partners whose collaboration made the project possible.
And a big thank you to the MDSA team and our field leadership for their work on this project - Jeff Graef (Project Executive), Ali Perkey, CHC (Project Manager), Robert Whartnaby, Jr. (Superintendent), BETH CICHONSKI (Project Coordinator), and Daniel McDonald (Project Accountant). We’re proud to support the continual growth and innovation in Philadelphia’s life sciences community! #buildingontrust #upaphila #MDSA #lifesciences #4101market #philadelphia #universitycity
DALE Corporation, University Place, UPA | University Place Associates, CRB ARCHITECTS - ENGINEERS P.C., Anthony Maher, Scott Mazo
MBC celebrates 16 GOLDEN years! Happy Birthday, MBC!
Cheers to 16 incredible years! This one marks a fun milestone for MBC as we celebrate our 16th anniversary on March 16th…making it our GOLDEN birthday! Over the past sixteen years, we’ve had the privilege of working alongside amazing clients, trade partners, architects, engineers, and industry collaborators to bring projects to life across our communities. From senior living, mixed use multi-family and affordable housing to life sciences, healthcare, commercial, industrial, and workplace environments, every project reflects the dedication of the people behind the work. Milestones like this remind us that the foundation of MBC has always been focused on our people and partnerships. We are incredibly grateful for our MBC team, our partners, and the many relationships that have helped shape us along the way. Thank you.
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Here’s to sixteen golden years and to many more ahead. Building on Trust since 2010. #buildingontrust #mbcproud #mbccelebrates #anniversary #officiallyoldenoughforourdriverslicense