Portland, ME

The Nest is a 2,500-square-foot ski in/ski out restaurant at Saddleback Mountain in western Maine. Perched at 3,620 feet, it’s the highest-elevation dining experience in Maine, combining panoramic views and exceptional cuisine. Constructing this special venue presented significant challenges, from its remote, high-altitude location to the need for careful environmental stewardship.

The top of the building features a living roof, recreating the natural alpine meadow above the building, as if the ground had been lifted up for the building to be tucked into. Inside, guests discover a vibrant, modern restaurant with a full gourmet kitchen, 80-seat dining area and 14-seat bar that are designed to easily transform into an open-concept event space.

Environmental sensitivity was a top priority for this project. Careful planning protected the Bicknell’s Thrush, a rare bird species native to the region, ensuring their late-spring breeding season was not disturbed during construction. Innovative design features, including a removable bird screen for the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows and a post-built foundation that reduced watershed disruption, ensured the structure remained a friendly neighbor to surrounding ecosystems.

“We are incredibly proud to receive this award for our work on The Nest,” said PC President / CEO Matt Cooke. “This project was truly unique, with its remote, high-altitude location and the need to balance innovative design and construction with environmental responsibility. I’m grateful to our partners at Saddleback Mountain, proud of our team for rising to the challenge and thankful to AGC for this recognition.”

Members of the PC Construction team accepted the award this morning at AGC’s Annual Convention in Columbus, Ohio.

“PC’s partnership was essential in bringing this project to completion in time for the ski season,” said Jim Quimby, General Manager of Saddleback Mountain. “The Nest isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a centerpiece of the Saddleback experience, offering skiers and riders a combination of breathtaking views, exceptional dining, and the convenience of ski-in/ski-out access. This project stands as a testament to innovative design, eco-conscious practices, and the spirit of collaboration that define Saddleback as a truly special destination.”

The post PC Construction Wins Build America Merit Award for The Nest at Saddleback appeared first on PC Construction.

The MRRC, located on a half-acre site in Middlebury, is a cutting-edge facility designed to convert food and beverage waste into renewable biogas. Through PurposeEnergy’s innovative Tribrid-Bioreactor system, the center processes approximately 80,000 gallons of organic waste daily, producing 1.014 MW of electricity for Vermont homes and businesses on a 24/7 basis. This environmentally focused project reduces greenhouse gas emissions by over 2,000 tons of CO2 each year, equivalent to eliminating 278 tanker truck trips each month.

The project’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond energy generation. The MRRC also plays a vital role in phosphorus sequestration, preventing over 60 tons of phosphorus from entering Otter Creek and Lake Champlain annually. Furthermore, the facility’s infrastructure supports local food and beverage manufacturers, such as Agri-Mark for Cabot Creamery and Vermont Cider Company, by offering an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution for waste disposal.

The project faced numerous challenges but by embracing a collaborative, transparent approach, we delivered a successful project with zero safety incidents.

Winning the AGC Vermont Best Builders Award is a proud moment for our team, and we look forward to the continued positive impact the MRRC will have on Vermont’s communities.

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South Burlington, VT

This facility, which was completed last year, included the construction of a new, 188,500-square-foot high-bay building located directly adjacent to the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport runways. The fully operating facility includes aircraft manufacture and assembly space, office and employee spaces and support areas. Work included substantial site preparation, blasting and excavation, a parking lot and utility road, and a 2.7-acre geothermal field, which is one of the largest in New England.

The CMAA National Project Achievement Awards recognize those construction projects that are pinnacles of excellence and innovation. In 2024, CMAA recognized 17 projects for their outstanding achievements in construction management, with the BETA project winning the top honor in the commercial, sports, entertainment or hospitality greater than $50 million category.

This large and complex project required PC to proactively support and address several key challenges for BETA – including incompatible zoning regulation impacts, supply chain disruption, and the proximity to an operating airport. In addition, evolving manufacturing requirements caused significant building scope and design changes midway through construction. Despite these challenges, the project was completed on a drastically accelerated timeline. PC poured the first placement of concrete in June 2022 and BETA started installing equipment on the manufacturing floor less than 12 months later. Recently, BETA rolled its first production-intent electric aircraft off the final assembly line at this facility — marking another major milestone, just another year later.

According to Alex Gagnon, a representative from BETA: “PC had the mental flexibility to align with BETA as a startup, not just as a company doing a construction project. Specifically, PC embraced scheduling the way we define it: not just getting something done by the deadline, but getting it done ASAP. The result, a net-zero building where we will build net-zero aircraft, is something we can all be proud of.”

Said PC President / CEO Matt Cooke, “I am so proud to have been a part of this important project for the State of Vermont, and for the incredible team who poured their heart and soul into the design and construction efforts. This was a truly collaborative project from the start, and the resulting success is testament to that team effort.”

The post PC Construction Accepts National CMAA Award for BETA Technologies Manufacturing and Assembly Facility appeared first on PC Construction.

USM

PC Construction accepted two national awards last week from ENR (Engineering News-Record), a leading trade publication in the engineering and construction industry. These awards recognize New England’s most outstanding construction projects of the year.

PC was honored with a Sustainability Award of Merit for its work on the University of Southern Maine’s Portland Commons Residence Hall and McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success. The company was also recognized for its efforts on The Nest, a unique mid-mountain restaurant at Saddleback, which won a Best Project award for projects valued under $10 million.

“Our team has completed some exceptional projects in Maine,” said PC President / CEO Matt Cooke. “The University of Southern Maine and The Nest at Saddleback projects illustrate our diverse construction capabilities and are testament to our outstanding teams who continuously achieve excellence.”

USM Portland Commons and McGoldrick Center

The $83.6 million University of Southern Maine project is the largest in the school’s history. Portland Commons Residence Hall, which PC Construction completed in partnership with Capstone Development Partners, Elkus Manfredi Architects, and SMRT Architects & Engineers, significantly expands the dormitory capacity of the Portland campus. The 218,000-square-foot, eight-story student residence hall includes 580 beds with a mix of single-occupancy rooms, studios and multi-bedroom apartments. The 42,000-square-foot, five-story McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success offers a career and employment hub, meeting rooms, study spaces and amenities including a dining common, coffee shop and pub.

The two connected facilities, which are centered on a one-acre green quad, usher in a massive transformation of USM’s Portland campus. Portland Commons, as the campus’ first-ever onsite dormitory, marks the first step in turning a former “commuter campus” into a bustling university with a full campus experience. The state-of-the-art McGoldrick Center right next door contributes to a rich campus life outside of the classroom, providing opportunities for collaboration and connection among the student body and with potential employers.

The project also significantly contributes to USM’s sustainability goal of becoming fully carbon-neutral by 2040. Portland Commons, whose superior insulation and efficient building design allow it to use 50% less energy than comparable housing facilities, is one of the largest Passive House college residence halls in the United States. The McGoldrick Center — with its large-scale 33.3-kW rooftop photovoltaic array, passive solar heating, and a structure that is one-third mass timber, which significantly reduces the embodied carbon of the building — is LEED Gold certified.

“At the very root of this project’s success was a true team commitment to a collaborative, open and transparent relationship among all team members,” said Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson, President of the University of Southern Maine. “USM valued PC’s expertise, creative solutions, and continuous efforts toward ensuring our goals were met. We take such pride in walking along Bedford Street and admiring our truly transformed campus, and we know we couldn’t have done it without PC.”

The Nest at Saddleback Mountain

The Nest is a 2,500-square-foot ski in/ski out restaurant at Saddleback Mountain in western Maine. Perched at 3,620 feet, it’s the highest-elevation dining experience in Maine, combining panoramic views and exceptional cuisine. Constructing this unique venue presented significant challenges, from its remote, high-altitude location to the need for careful environmental stewardship.

The top of the building features a living roof, recreating the natural alpine meadow above the building, as if the ground had been lifted up for the building to be tucked into. Inside, guests discover a vibrant, modern restaurant with a full gourmet kitchen, 80-seat dining area and 14-seat bar that are designed to easily transform into an open-concept event space.

Environmental stewardship was a top priority during the construction process. Careful planning accounted for the late-spring breeding season of the Bicknell’s Thrush, a rare bird species native to the region, ensuring their habitat was protected. To prioritize the birds’ safety, removable screens were installed on one of the three sides featuring floor-to-ceiling glass. Instead of using a traditional poured concrete foundation, the structure was built on posts, significantly reducing disruption to the surrounding watershed. Additionally, the project incorporates unique building materials that showcase local forest products and harmonize with the natural landscape, further emphasizing sustainability and regional pride.

“PC’s partnership was essential in bringing this project to completion in time for the 2023-2024 ski season,” said Jim Quimby, General Manager of Saddleback Mountain. “The Nest isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a centerpiece of the Saddleback experience, offering skiers and riders a combination of breathtaking views, exceptional dining, and the convenience of ski-in/ski-out access. This project stands as a testament to innovative design, eco-conscious practices, and the spirit of collaboration that define Saddleback as a truly special destination.”

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The BETA Technologies Manufacturing and Assembly Facility project is Phase 1 of a two-phase master building plan on a 40-acre former brownfield site. The new, 188,500-square-foot high-bay facility, located directly adjacent to the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport runways, includes aircraft manufacture and assembly space, office and employee spaces and support areas. Work included substantial site preparation, blasting and excavation, a parking lot and utility road, and a 2.7-acre geothermal field, which is one of the largest in New England.

To successfully complete a project of this complexity, PC needed to proactively support and address several key challenges for BETA – incompatible zoning regulation impacts, supply chain disruption, and the proximity to an operating airport. In addition, the project required creative problem-solving to maximize efficiency during construction. Despite the challenges, PC completed this project on a drastically accelerated timeline, delivering a fully functioning state-of-the-art manufacturing facility just 2.5 years after project kickoff, which included six months for early design packages and six months for permitting delays. PC poured the first placement of concrete in June 2022, and the owner started landing equipment on the manufacturing floor less than 12 months later!

I am so proud to have been a part of this important project for the State of Vermont, and for the incredible team who poured their heart and soul into the design and construction efforts. This was a truly collaborative project from the start and the resulting success is testament to that team effort.

Check out this video to learn more about the BETA Technologies Manufacturing and Assembly Facility project.

The post BETA Technologies Project Recognized with National Award appeared first on PC Construction.

This project, which was completed last year, is Phase 1 of a two-phase master building plan on a 40-acre former brownfield site. The new, 188,500-square-foot high-bay facility, located directly adjacent to the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport runways, includes aircraft manufacture and assembly space, office and employee spaces and support areas. Work included substantial site preparation, blasting and excavation, a parking lot and utility road, and a 2.7-acre geothermal field, which is one of the largest in New England.

This large and complex project required PC to proactively support and address several key challenges for BETA – including incompatible zoning regulation impacts, supply chain disruption, and the proximity to an operating airport. In addition, evolving manufacturing requirements for ALIA caused significant building scope and design changes midway through construction. Despite these challenges, the project was completed on a drastically accelerated timeline. PC poured the first piece of concrete in June 2022 and BETA started installing equipment on the manufacturing floor less than 12 months later.

According to Art Klugo, a representative from BETA: “PC had the mental flexibility to align with BETA as a startup, not just as a company doing a construction project. Specifically, PC embraced scheduling the way we define it: not just getting something done by the deadline, but getting it done ASAP. The result, a net-zero building where we will build net-zero aircraft, is something we can all be proud of.”

Said PC President / CEO Matt Cooke, “I am so proud to have been a part of this important project for the State of Vermont, and for the incredible team who poured their heart and soul into the design and construction efforts. This was a truly collaborative project from the start, and the resulting success is testament to that team effort.”

The post PC Construction Receives CMAA New England Award for BETA Technologies Manufacturing Facility appeared first on PC Construction.

This project, which was completed last year, is the planned Phase 1 of a two-phase master building plan on a 40-acre former brownfield site. The new, 188,500-square-foot high-bay facility, located directly adjacent to the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport runways, includes aircraft manufacture and assembly space, office and employee spaces and support areas. Work included substantial site preparation, blasting and excavation, a parking lot and utility road, and a 2.7-acre geothermal field, which is one of the largest in New England.

To successfully complete a project of this complexity, PC needed to proactively support and address several key challenges for BETA – incompatible zoning regulation impacts, supply chain disruption, and the proximity to an operating airport. In addition, the project required creative problem-solving to maximize efficiency during construction. Despite the challenges, PC completed this project on a drastically accelerated timeline, delivering a fully functioning state-of-the-art manufacturing facility just 2.5 years after project kickoff, which included six months for early design packages and six months for permitting. PC poured the first piece of concrete in June 2022, and the owner started landing equipment on the manufacturing floor less than 12 months later!

I am so proud to have been a part of this important project for the State of Vermont, and for the incredible team who poured their heart and soul into the design and construction efforts. This was a truly collaborative project from the start and the resulting success is testament to that team effort.

Check out this video to learn more about the BETA Technologies S40 Aircraft Assembly Facility project.

The post CMAA New England Recognizes BETA Technologies Project appeared first on PC Construction.

The two connected facilities, which are centered on a one-acre green quad, include the 218,000-square-foot, eight-story Portland Commons student residence hall and the 42,000-square-foot, five-story McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success. Portland commons – the first-ever residence hall on the Portland campus – features 580 beds with a mix of single-occupancy rooms, studios and multi-bedroom apartments. The McGoldrick Center offers a career and employment hub, meeting rooms, study spaces and amenities including a dining common, coffee shop and pub.

One of the most exciting parts of this project is its extensive sustainability focus. Portland Commons, with its superior insulation and efficient building design, is the second-largest Passive House building at a university in the United States. The McGoldrick Center, with its large-scale 33.3-kW rooftop photovoltaic array and passive solar heating, along with a beautiful mass timber component comprising of 40% of the building, is pending LEED Gold certification.

Not only is this project a huge milestone for The University of Southern Maine, it’s also a project that is near and dear to the project team. Many of us have lived and worked around the Portland area our entire lives, so witnessing this historic transformation right in the center of campus is truly spectacular. We couldn’t be happier for future students and staff to excel in their new state-of-the art space, while also remembering the extensive efforts from not only PC Construction, but the design team and trade partners. Congratulations to the entire team and all entities involved over the last four years to make this project a success!

The post PC Recognized with AGC Build Maine Award appeared first on PC Construction.

Today, PC Construction accepted a top national award from the Associated General Contractors of America for its work on the University of Southern Maine’s Portland Commons Residence Hall and McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success. The project earned a Construction Risk Partners Build America Award in the $76-$125 million new building category.

The project, with a total value of $83.6 million, is the largest in the school’s history. The 218,000-square-foot, eight-story Portland Commons student residence hall includes 580 beds with a mix of single-occupancy rooms, studios and multi-bedroom apartments. The 42,000-square-foot, five-story McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success offers a career and employment hub, meeting rooms, study spaces and amenities including a dining common, coffee shop and pub.

The two connected facilities, which are centered on a one-acre green quad, usher in a massive transformation of USM’s Portland campus. Portland Commons, the first-ever residence hall on the Portland campus, offers affordable living options to students in the region, enhancing the university experience. The state-of-the-art McGoldrick Center right next door contributes to a rich campus life outside of the classroom, providing opportunities for collaboration and connection.

The project also significantly contributes to USM’s sustainability goal of becoming fully carbon-neutral by 2040. Portland Commons, with its superior insulation and efficient building design, is the second-largest Passive House building at a university in the United States. The McGoldrick Center, with its large-scale 33.3-kW rooftop photovoltaic array and passive solar heating, is pending LEED Gold certification.

“As the largest construction project in USM’s history, we knew we needed the right team to bring our vision to reality,” said Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson, President, University of Southern Maine. “We selected PC Construction for their reputation in the higher education industry of professionalism, solution-minded approaches, and high-quality construction. Over the course of the project, I have seen that this reputation is well-deserved.”

PC Construction served as the design-builder working with the design team of Elkus Manfredi Architects and SMRT Architects and Engineers, in partnership with the P3 developer, Capstone Development Partners.

“We’re proud of our work on this project and honored to contribute to a vibrant and sustainable experience for future generations of USM students,” said PC President / CEO Matt Cooke. “I’d like to thank AGC America for this recognition, and the many partners and craftspeople for their strong collaboration. We had the absolute pleasure of working with so many incredible people, who all shared the vision of delivering an exceptional, high quality, safe project. Mission accomplished!”

Top: The three-story, 41,000-square-foot McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success building and quad form a new physical and metaphorical center of the campus, connecting existing facilities with amenities that serve the University population. Bottom: The 218,000-square-foot Portland Commons is the University’s first on-campus residence hall on the Portland campus with 580 beds in 385 units.

The post PC Construction Receives National Award for University of Southern Maine Project appeared first on PC Construction.

Portland, ME – Today, PC Construction accepted a top national award from the Associated General Contractors of America for its work on the University of Southern Maine’s Portland Commons Residence Hall and McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success. The project earned a Construction Risk Partners Build America Award in the $76-$125 million new building category.

The project, with a total value of $83.6 million, is the largest in the school’s history. The 218,000-square-foot, eight-story Portland Commons student residence hall includes 580 beds with a mix of single-occupancy rooms, studios and multi-bedroom apartments. The 42,000-square-foot, five-story McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success offers a career and employment hub, meeting rooms, study spaces and amenities including a dining common, coffee shop and pub.

The two connected facilities, which are centered on a one-acre green quad, usher in a massive transformation of USM’s Portland campus. Portland Commons, the first-ever residence hall on the Portland campus, offers affordable living options to students in the region, enhancing the university experience. The state-of-the-art McGoldrick Center right next door contributes to a rich campus life outside of the classroom, providing opportunities for collaboration and connection.

The project also significantly contributes to USM’s sustainability goal of becoming fully carbon-neutral by 2040. Portland Commons, with its superior insulation and efficient building design, is the second-largest Passive House building at a university in the United States. The McGoldrick Center, with its large-scale 33.3-kW rooftop photovoltaic array and passive solar heating, is pending LEED Gold certification.

“As the largest construction project in USM’s history, we knew we needed the right team to bring our vision to reality,” said Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson, President, University of Southern Maine. “We selected PC Construction for their reputation in the higher education industry of professionalism, solution-minded approaches, and high-quality construction. Over the course of the project, I have seen that this reputation is well-deserved.”

PC Construction served as the design-builder working with the design team of Elkus Manfredi Architects and SMRT Architects and Engineers, in partnership with the P3 developer, Capstone Development Partners.

“We’re proud of our work on this project and honored to contribute to a vibrant and sustainable experience for future generations of USM students,” said PC President / CEO Matt Cooke. “I’d like to thank AGC America for this recognition, and the many partners and craftspeople for their strong collaboration. We had the absolute pleasure of working with so many incredible people, who all shared the vision of delivering an exceptional, high quality, safe project. Mission accomplished!”

The post PC Construction Receives National Award for University of Southern Maine Project appeared first on PC Construction.

This marks the second national award and the fourth major recognition for the project, which was completed in 2022. The $46.5 million, six-story, 125,000-square-foot facility includes 27 ski-in/ski-out residences, townhomes, and penthouses. Units feature in-residence elevators, spacious balconies with mountain views, sweeping floor-to-ceiling windows, and best-in-class materials and finishes.

“We are grateful to CMAA for recognizing our work, and to Spruce Peak Realty, the project owner, for their strong and ongoing partnership,” said PC President / CEO Matt Cooke. “This project shows how a team’s creativity, agility and determination can overcome even the biggest challenges.”

PC’s team of project management staff, craftworkers, and more than 400 trade partner workers collaborated on an unconventional phased-delivery approach that challenged construction logistics and methods. In addition, ongoing supply chain and manpower shortages required PC to identify and create alternative solutions to ensure an on-time delivery.

One Spruce Peak has also won a national Construction Risk Partners Build America Award from AGC America, a regional Project Achievement Award from CMAA New England, and a state Best Builders Award from AGC Vermont.

Upon One Spruce Peak’s completion, PC Construction was also selected to build the resort’s next development, a $76.4 million project including the four-story Treehouse at Spruce Peak and a parking garage. Work on that project is currently in progress, with estimated completion in spring 2024.

The post PC Construction Accepts Second National Award for Stowe’s One Spruce Peak appeared first on PC Construction.

Ravi joined PC in 2013 as a technical writer dedicated to creating winning proposals to secure new projects for the company. His aptitude for understanding the intricacies of our complex work resulted in an interest in the construction side of the business. Within three years, Ravi pursued his engineering roots and transitioned to begin PC’s $80 million UVM STEM Complex project as a project engineer, and was later promoted to senior project engineer. He excelled, diving into the complex mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems designed specifically for laboratory facilities. During construction, Ravi and his project teammates partnered with UVM to provide learning opportunities for engineering students, bridging classroom experience with real-world applications.

Upon completion of the project, Ravi moved back to the office to lead the business development department. Ravi and his team produce best-in-class proposals and interviews to win strategic new work for the company. To date in 2023, he has led the pursuit of $2 billion of projects.

Ravi is also a key member of PC’s Innovation Task Force and a formal mentor to a young PC engineer. He also lends his expertise outside of PC’s walls as a member of the White+Burke Vermont Development Conference planning committee.

I have had the pleasure of working closely with Ravi over the past 10 years and have watched him learn and grow, taking on every challenge along the way. Congratulations, Ravi – we are looking forward to seeing all you accomplish in the years to come!

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