Dive Brief:
- Boston-based contractor Shawmut announced last week it will expand its presence in South Florida, as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic wane and demand for construction grows.
- Shawmut announced its newest office in West Palm Beach, Florida, on May 3, according to a press release. This is the company’s second South Florida office; the other is in Miami.
- Shawmut expects a strong economic foundation for the new office — which will build hospitality, retail and commercial projects — as the city experiences strong commercial development and demand for renovations.
Dive Insight:
Tim Barges, director of South Florida for Shawmut, said that West Palm Beach’s market is growing, and Shawmut would be there to capitalize on it and looked forward to reaching new clients on top of leveraging the company's decades-long presence in the area, according to the release.
Shawmut’s other projects in the area include the Miami Design District, along with Lucid Motors Studios at Rosemary Square, Brickell City Centre and work at the Southeast Financial Center plaza.
The announcement comes as Shawmut begins what the company calls a 10-year growth plan, according to the release. The West Palm Beach office figures into this plan by serving what the company calls “growing market demand” in the area.
“West Palm Beach is booming, and Shawmut’s market share is increasing in tandem,” Barges said.
Shawmut has also been busy outside of office expansion. The company expects to finish a 75-foot-tall tower made from cross-laminated timber in Los Angeles in August. The build is expected to be more environmentally friendly than other towers due to lower waste and shipping emissions. Pouring 1 ton of concrete releases 1 ton of carbon into the atmosphere, while sustainable wood production can sequester carbon, according to The Climate Trust, a carbon reduction advocacy group.
