Boston and Marion, Mass – South Coast Improvement Company has recently launched a new College/School Division to specifically cater to the needs of this growing market. As an example, South Coast Improvement has just completed upgrades at Vouté and Gabelli Halls, the legendary townhouse-style apartments for upperclassmen at Boston College, one of the nation’s best coeducational universities located on Commonwealth Avenue in Chestnut Hill.
The stunning Vouté and Gabelli Halls, originally completed in 1988, are home to more than 380 upperclassmen. Over the last five years, South Coast Improvement has completed several similar projects for Boston College, including the complete renovation of residence kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and common areas in occupied residence halls, suites and apartments.
To better meet increased demand for complex renovation projects within occupied and operational environments such as the academic environment, South Coast Improvement has created a new College/School Division, which is overseen by Henry Quinlan, the company’s EVP and Production Manager.
South Coast Improvement was the General Contractor on the Boston College project. The luxurious townhouses, 17 in all, feature two bedrooms, a full kitchen, dining room, living room and full bath. Approximately 120,000 sq. ft. of the two residence halls was renovated. The scope of this year’s project was interior and building envelope renovations, which included the installation of all new acoustical ceiling systems, new drywall, new flooring, new access panels and paint.
South Coast Improvement protected the owner’s interest through strict adherence to the budget and time schedule and successful coordination of subcontractor and skilled tradesmen. Project Managers were on-site every day, sites were kept clean and daily reports were provided to the Facilities Manager. They completed the project in an aggressive six week schedule, mobilizing the teams to work seven days a week to successfully deliver the project on time.
Tom Quinlan, President of South Coast Improvement said, “The challenge of this type of project is always the time frame. The residence halls are often in use all year, as opposed to days gone by when the halls were closed for the summer. We are given a very small window to mobilize and get in to complete the job. Our team understands that excuses and/or delays are unacceptable. As is often the case and was again on this project, the scope of work expanded while the project wasunderway. We utilized all necessary manpower to meet the original agreed upon deadline.”
“South Coast Improvement completed all phases of each project on time and with professional quality,” said Daniel Roderick, Facilities Manager at Boston College. “I would recommend them.