The architecture of buildings redefines and shapes our communities, our people, and the world.
Did you know that there is a direct impact on people’s happiness, comfort, health, mood, and productiveness when the space that they are in is positive, uplifting, and stimulating?
Architecture and design in the construction of buildings can calm, relax, rejuvenate, unwind, promote positivity, and encourage people.
In the construction management and industry, a building’s project lifecycle from the beginning to the end, covers all the areas and processes in planning, budgeting, coordinating, and supervising the construction. Some of the various projects that are taken up in industries and sectors are, but not limited to – Healthcare, Transportation, Housing, Entertainment, Government, Education, Hospitality, Office, Residential, and Retail.
Building, designing, and innovating alongside the advancements in technology pave the path to a better, redefined, integrated, and disrupted construction industry. This is what the future needs.
Therefore in this article, we will be sharing the entering story behind how the founder, proprietory owner, and CEO – John Fish was inspired to establish a national enterprise in the construction industry with Suffolk Construction. A general building contracting business in the USA, the national enterprise is a company that – “builds, invests, and innovates”.
The Man Behind It All – John F. Fish:
A visionary and pioneer, a natural-born leader and innovator – John Fish founded and established Suffolk Construction in the year 1982, in Chelsea, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. John is also the Executive Chairman, Sole Proprietor, as well as Chief Executive Officer at the company.
John‘s educational achievements and accomplishments include an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering Technology from Wentworth Institute of Technology, an Honorary Degree from Regis College, an Honorary Degree in Business Administration from Curry College, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Government from Bowdoin College.
John Fish serves as a Chairman, Board Member, Committee Member, Director, and Advisor in many companies and enterprises, deeming and proving what an influential and visionary man he surely is. He is also the founder of the Scholar Athletes Senior Advisory Board of the Boys & Girls Club of Boston.
The goal of Suffolk Construction initially was to hire non-unionized laborers outside Boston, as a side project. But John’s leadership and direction for 42 years at the company is recognized as one of the top-most successful privately-held general building contractors and real estate companies in the USA. A national enterprise founded by an entrepreneurial pioneer indeed, John was named in the Boston Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in Boston” 2020.
Suffolk Construction – Build. Invest. Innovate:
At Suffolk Construction, John says, “We don’t build buildings, we build people”. Redefining what’s possible by pushing boundaries and knocking over walls, being a national leader, the company is revolutionizing what is expected from a contractor. Founded by John Fish in 1982, in Boston – Suffolk Constructions envisions its path to “integrate the entire building lifecycle into a seamless platform to redefine how America builds”.
The approach taken by Suffolk Construction in its quest to be better at exploring and uncovering innovations and overcoming challenges in the industry is by integrating – Innovation where tech power is unleashed, Plan+Control as a singular process in construction, Safety in personally fostering construction as the world’s safest industry, Design Management delivery streamlining the workflow between the design and management teams, and lastly Sustainably leading construction that reimagines the entire building’s lifecycle.
Buildings are constructed and designed in ways that aim to serve a purpose in functionality, occupancy, shelter, living, working, learning, storing, sustainability, and much more.
In this era, where technology and innovation practically go hand-in-hand with anything that is newly created, thought, or built – it provides a platform or a stage for a plethora of opportunities and capabilities in every industry and sector that exists, taking businesses and ventures to the next level.
Suffolk Construction and its team are dedicated to finding and providing solutions to every challenge and project under various industries, sectors, and clientele such as – Affordable Housing (The Stella & Bluewater), Assisted Living (Vermont Senior Housing), Aviation & Transportation (British Airways Club), Distribution (Martignetti Corporate Headquarters and Distribution Center), Entertainment (Legoland Waterpark), Federal Government (Jamaica Armory), Gaming (Saracen Casino), Healthcare (Sebastian River Medical Center), Higher Education (The Icon Plaza at USC), Hospitality (Encore Boston Harbor), K-12 (Gateway High School), Life Sciences (Qualcomm World Headquarters), Mission Critical (Verizon Media Group Project Seahawk), Non-Profits (Ascension Parish Hall), Office (Winthrop Center), Residential (The Bristol), and Retail (Trader Joe’s).
Being a national enterprise providing clientele with end-to-end business solutions in the general contracting business sector, Suffolk Construction has become “America’s Contractor” generating an annual revenue of 5.5 billion dollars. Ranked #8 under ENR’s (Engineering News Record) list of “Top CM-at-Risk Contractors”, the company has offices branched out and established in NY, Tampa, Dallas, Maine, Portland, San Diego, SF, LA, Estero, Miami, and West Palm Beach.
Suffolk Construction’s 2025 Diversification Strategy aims to expand Vertical Service Lines in conjunction with its core construction management services to ensure that an added value to clients with the diversification approach covers the entire building’s lifecycle.