Engineering News-Record New York magazine (ENR NY) magazine has recognized Wesbuilt Construction Managers as the 2022 Contractor of the Year. The competition jury cited the firm’s continuous technological innovation as the deciding factor in selecting Wesbuilt as the latest winner in the annual competition that recognizes leading construction firms in the New York region.

“Embracing technology and innovation is hardwired into Wesbuilt Construction Managers—a conviction so ingrained that it has revolutionized how the firm—and many of its clients, design partners and subcontractors—execute a diverse mix of construction projects across the ENR New York region,” stated ENR NY in an article profiling the firm.

“Since the company’s inception eleven years ago, we have emphasized the critical importance of technology in streamlining construction operations and optimizing the collaboration between the ownership, design, engineering and construction teams. This award highlights the industry-wide understanding of the benefits of innovations introduced into the daily construction practice,” said Donal McIntyre, co-founder and president of New York City-based Wesbuilt.

Wesbuilt is one of a few medium-sized contracting and construction management firms in the U.S. that develops complete BIM models of all – even very small – projects in the preconstruction and construction phase. Wesbuilt’s in-house Building Information Modeling and VDC (Virtual Design and Construction) department performs all 3D scanning and data collection, modeling and field layout. The company 3D scans all potential project sites prior to developing bids, a process that to a large extent eliminates confusion and dimension discrepancies even before Wesbuilt wins a contract.

“Once a client contracts us, we create a detailed digital model that incorporates 3D scans of existing conditions as well as architectural, structural and MEPS designs. This process allows us to recognize and address any potential conflicts prior to commencing construction. It helps our clients avoid costly change orders and creates a truly collaborative team spirit between designers and builders, as potential challenges are addressed early on. Because of this, we named our BIM-VDC process ‘COLLAB by Wesbuilt’,” explained Wesbuilt’s Principal Mark Galway.

The firm recognizes the continuous development of available digital construction tools and puts a significant effort into testing and potentially employing new software and hardware. For example, after field testing, the company recently purchased Clear Edge, a comprehensive scan-to-BIM software package that captures diameters and other measurements of existing plumbing and other infrastructure and then automatically incorporates them into the models. This application provides a significant time saving over the previous system that required a manual data input.

The firm’s clients recognize the benefits Wesbuilt’s process brings to their projects. The vast majority of them return with more work. These repeat clients include The Related Companies, Tishman Speyer, the fitness club operator Orangetheory Fitness, primary care provider Sollis Health, the Douglaston Mall, the Bay Harbor Mall, and the children’s athletic wear and equipment retailer Rookie USA, to name a few.

Principals Donal McIntyre and Mark Galway established Wesbuilt in 2012. Headquartered in New York City, the firm is a leading construction manager and general contractor active in the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut Tri-State area, serving both commercial and public clients.

Wesbuilt’s annual construction volume exceeds $100 million and includes work in the retail, workplace, hospitality, healthcare, multi-family, media/entertainment, athletics, public/municipal, education, and worship markets. The firm’s recent projects include the 200,000-square foot core-and-shell renovation and repositioning of the Mall at Cross County in Yonkers, NY; the 300-unit condominium conversion of 34 Debrosses Street in Manhattan; the 80,000-square foot Amber Charter School in the Bronx, NY; the 20,000-square foot Apella Life Science conference center in Manhattan; the 15,000-square foot Mark Morris Dance Studio in Brooklyn, NY; the 60,000-square foot office of the United Teachers Federation at 51 Broadway in Manhattan; and the 15,000-square foot luxury Hutong restaurant at 731 Lexington Avenue in New York City, the former location of Le Cirque.

*Featured Image: Ola Wilk Photography