EchelonSeaport – Bringing neighbors to Boston's newest neighborhood

As Boston’s Seaport District continues to radically and rapidly evolve, much has been made of how a neighborhood has been created virtually from scratch. To be considered a full-fledged neighborhood, however, an area needs neighbors—a critical mass of residents—as one of its pillars. The population of the bustling South Boston outpost will increase significantly when the first phase of EchelonSeaport opens later this year.

Located in the heart of the district, the striking three-tower, mixed-use complex now under construction will be one of the most unique and luxurious places to live in the Seaport and the entire city. Valued at $950 million, the 1.3-million-square-foot project will include 447 condominium residences across two of its towers and 270 apartments in a third tower. When it is completed in the first quarter of 2020, some 2,000 new residents will call EchelonSeaport home.

Read more about EchelonSeaport, including the work of GBPCA contractor, J.C. Cannistraro.

PLUMBER VS. DOCTOR: Who brings in more Benjamins?

Let’s compare plumbers and doctors.

They both perform vitally important jobs. They both diagnose and repair ailing systems. One works in operating rooms at hospitals, while the other helps build operating rooms by outfitting them with life-saving medical gases. Only one makes house calls any longer. One gets to have a fancy title in front of his or her name.

Here’s a question you may not have considered when comparing plumbers and doctors: Which one of them generates more wealth? The answer may surprise you.

Read “Plumber Vs. Doctor,” and see a comparative chart comparing net worth.

Duggan is one of the region’s top workplaces

It’s official: GBPCA contractor E.M. Duggan of Canton, Mass. is one of the best places to work.

According to an article The Boston Globe published in November, the contractor is among the Boston area’s top ten large companies based on employee satisfaction. It shares the distinction with organizations such as Massachusetts General Hospital, TripAdvisor, Wayfair, and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.

Read more about the honor that Duggan received in the Globe.

Shortage of plumbers—what shortage?

Massachusetts, and the Boston area in particular, has one of the highest rates of unfilled construction jobs in the country. As they try to staff up to meet surging demand amid a red-hot construction market, many contractors are singing the blues. But not GBPCA contractors that work with Plumbers Local 12.

“We don’t have a shortage of workers,” says Harry Brett, business manager for Local 12. According to a famous movie line, if you build it, they will come. The union finds that if it offers decent wages and benefits, a steady stream of people will come to Local 12—and they will help build any project, large or small, for GBPCA contractors. “We have plenty of applicants for our apprentice program,” Brett adds. “They know that they are applying for a lifelong, prosperous career, not just a job.”

Read more about how GBPCA contractors are able to staff projects using Local 12 plumbers.

GBPCA contractors and Local 12 plumbers on Merrimack Valley recovery front line

People typically take plumbing and heating systems for granted—until something goes wrong. Then they realize the critical roles that plumbers and gasfitters play.

Things went horribly wrong in Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover on September 13 when a natural gas disaster caused explosions and fires throughout the communities. One person was killed, two dozen people were injured, and many properties sustained damage. About 8,400 Columbia Gas customers had their service shut off, and, in the weeks that have followed, have had to cope with the loss of heat and hot water as well as the use of their gas-fueled appliances. An army of Local 12 plumbers representing many Greater Boston Plumbing Contractor Association members has been playing a critical role in the recovery effort.

Read more the important work that GBPCA contractors and Local 12 plumbers did in the Merrimack Valley.

Hugh Kelleher’s Harvard-to-plumbing pipeline

After 34 years in the industry, the last 20 of which he served as the executive director of the Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association (previously known as the PHCC of Greater Boston), Hugh Kelleher retired at the end of 2017. The Pipeline sat down with him to learn how and why he chose to become a plumber in his early 30s, to find out what he was doing before then, and to ask him to reflect on his journey.

Kelleher's story, which includes attending Phillips Academy Andover and Harvard University and a stint as press secretary and speechwriter for Congressman Jim Shannon is fascinating. Read more about the curious path that led Kelleher to the plumbing trade.

New England's tallest residential tower take shape

At 61 stories and 742 feet, One Dalton in the Back Bay will be the third tallest building in Boston. Now under construction, it will house the city's second Four Seasons hotel as well as private residences. It is scheduled to be finished in spring 2019.

GBPCA contractor E.M. Duggan is installing 161,000 feet of plumbing—that's over 30 miles of pipe winding its way through the tower. Bob Jones, Duggan's general foreman, is overseeing the crew.

The massive building is being constructed on a postage stamp-sized lot, so the project poses logistical challenges. The highly efficient project is a model of "lean construction." Read more about One Dalton in The Pipeline.