BOSTON – June 26, 2018 – Kaplan Construction a WBE general contractor and construction management firm providing comprehensive building programs across Greater Boston, is proud to announce that it has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work by the Boston Business Journal (BBJ) for its fourth consecutive year. The award honors companies creating the most enjoyable and meaningful work environments, based on anonymous employee surveys collected from companies in Boston. The BBJ recognized this year’s Best Places to Work honorees during an event on Thursday, June 20 at Boston’s iconic Symphony Hall. Kaplan ranked 11th in the extra-small (20-49 employees) category.
In 2014 Kaplan announced the culmination of a three-year management transition in which Jane Kaplan Peck was appointed chief operating officer (COO) and majority owner and Nathan Peck was promoted to president. Founders Ken and Cathy Kaplan serve as chairman of the board and senior advisor, respectively. Since the transition, business has tripled, staff has doubled, and the company has received numerous awards, including ranking for two consecutive years as both a Top 100 Women-Led Business in Massachusetts by The Commonwealth Institute and a Massachusetts Family Business of the Year by the Northeastern University Center for Family Business.
“To be recognized on the Boston Business Journal’s prestigious Best Places to Work list for our fourth consecutive year is a great honor,” said Jane Kaplan Peck, COO at Kaplan Construction. “We are committed to our employees and take pride in creating an environment where our team can grow and thrive.”
Recent Kaplan projects include:
2101 Washington Street/9 Williams Street (Boston)
Kaplan recently completed the restoration of a 44,000 SF historic building, formerly the Tropical Foods supermarket, to create 30 apartment units of affordable housing and ground floor retail space. Apartments range from studio to three bedrooms. Extensive renovations were required, including new framing, roof and core area for the elevator and stairwells. As a historic building, the masonry restoration was obligated to meet National Park Service standards. The building received new windows, new storefront, and new stucco on the exterior of the building. Kaplan pulled all new utilities into the building and installed new MEP/FP systems.
Northeastern University (Boston)
In its ninth renovation project for Northeastern University, Kaplan reconfigured the Office of Student Orientation and Frost Lounge at Ell Hall on the school’s Boston campus. The 2,000 SF renovation was commissioned to increase the lounge’s existing footprint and provide a central reception area surrounded by private offices for student orientation. The entire space was refreshed with the installation of all new mechanical and electrical systems as well as new lighting, interior finishes, windows, glass walls and doors, wood ceilings, flooring, and millwork. The project was completed on a fast-tracked schedule to accommodate the University’s academic calendar.
Congregation Kehillath Israel (Brookline, Mass.)
Kaplan recently completed the exterior restoration to the congregation’s sanctuary and school, which were originally constructed in 1924. The project featured a new terra cotta tile roof, gutters, and main staircase to the Sanctuary, and required the production of cast stone pieces to match the original texture, color and architectural design to restore the masonry. Kaplan is currently providing construction management services for the second phase of the project, the complete interior renovation to the existing buildings and a 10,000 SF addition. The work, designed to improve the facilities and make them ADA compliant, includes heavy structural modifications, installation of a new elevator, and modern HVAC, mechanical, and lighting systems. The new addition will create a spectacular social hall with a catering kitchen for hosting special events.
Bellesini Academy (Lawrence, Mass.)
Kaplan delivered design/build services for an expansion to the Bellesini Academy, an independent school supporting 100 students in grades five through eight. The two-story, 5,800 SF addition provides a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) Center for all students with a science lab, technology center, art center, movement center for yoga and dance, and an alumni lounge, as well as a hallway with four classrooms dedicated to the girls’ program. The ground up construction, built on the site of a former rectory, was connected to the existing school.
The submission process was launched in February by the BBJ in conjunction with employee- performance research firm Quantum Workplace of Omaha, Nebraska. Over 350 participating companies were evaluated on the results of more than 31,000 employee-engagement surveys. Factors considered include communication and resources, individual needs, manager effectiveness, personal engagement, team dynamics and trust in leadership.