The BLDUP Spotlight is a weekly feature where readers gain insight into developments around the city and get to know local industry experts. For this week’s Spotlight, we talked with Taylor Harrington, President & CEO of burgeoning, GC firm, Boston Property Contractors. The BPC team’s expertise in residential and commercial construction along with their dedication to clients ensures the success of projects and in turn the success of their clients. Their experience includes new construction condos like the Mezz in South Boston, retail/commercial fit-outs on Newbury Street, and high-end luxury renovations at One Dalton.

BLDUP: Your firm handles a variety of project types from high-end luxury residential to commercial storefronts. How have you built your team to be able to manage this level of complexity?

Taylor Harrington: We strive to diversify the range of projects we undertake to stay relevant across different markets. Our senior leadership staff has a strong combined experience in custom high end residential and a variety of commercial projects. Their experience allows us to apply the best operating methods to managing both markets and to build a team that can translate the best practices from one to the other. Both markets have their own set of difficulties individually but striving to adapt from one to the other has given us the opportunity to successfully take on a variety of projects. Through our daily communications, efforts, and established procedures we are consistently staying up to date with happenings across the construction field and this is precisely how we handle that complexity. This setup will help us sustain and maintain our core group of leadership through economic shifts as they occur, and grow. 

BLDUP: How has your background in development guided your work as a GC?

Taylor Harrington: The most valuable lesson taken from this background would have to be understanding how important it is to be transparent throughout the construction process. As a developer, you find yourself always trying to determine different things like how true the General Contractor’s costs are, how are they going to staff your project and how much it will cost, why is their insurance so high, etc. Working with the development side of the business has allowed me to see these situations through a different lens, and in turn be able to offer a great service to other developers and private clients. Due to these experiences, BPC approaches all our projects with transparency and respect to the owners. I have found that this has resonated well with clients and have built relationships on trust that have withstood time. 

BLDUP: What has been your most challenging project and what lessons did you take from this experience?

Taylor Harrington: Every project has its unique challenges. Some challenges are specific to the site, others are related to global markets, material costs, labor force, etc. One of our notable site-specific challenges had to be 420 West Broadway – The Mezz project. Existing site conditions had us surrounded on 3 sides by other structures, foundations, and on the 4th side – a one-way street. The list of difficult conditions could go on, but the main lesson learned was simple and something we had already anticipated while going through preconstruction and early planning. This project was moving quickly, and we really had to be on our game to match the schedule the development team was looking to hit. The best thing a developer can do when there is a combination of challenges is start early with a contractor and go through preconstruction.

BLDUP: How is your firm handling rising material costs?

Taylor Harrington: The only way to handle this is to have solid language in your sub-contracts around escalation clauses. Strong negotiation with subs on how much they will absorb prior to the change order, and clearly defining the actual cost of goods when the contract was executed. 

BLDUP: What future projects are you most excited about?

Taylor Harrington: We are very excited about upcoming projects in Brighton and Cambridge. One of my personal favorites is in NJ. It is going to be a drug treatment center for adolescents. The project will make a difference in the community beyond offering the typical high-end apartments and help people who are suffering. 

BLDUP: Given your experience in the Boston development and construction market, what do you foresee for the future of development in the city given today’s current climate?

Taylor Harrington: Based on some of the changes coming out of the Mayor's office, I see a climate where any project already approved is going to be more valuable, and anyone thinking about entitling new projects is probably second-guessing that plan.

BLDUP: What are your goals for the future of your company (near & long term?)

Taylor Harrington: Our near-term goals are to successfully complete our current projects, continue strengthening our relationships, stay grounded and humble while learning from every situation.

Our long-term goals are steady and stable growth while always looking for more effective and efficient means and methods throughout all of the capital project phases. Grow our client base and expand our services to new areas.