2019 Annual Review: David O’Sullivan of O’Sullivan Architects, Inc.

What was your greatest professional accomplishment in 2019?
We celebrated our 20^th year in business. This milestone made me realize all that has happened since 1999 when we opened our doors. It has grown to a firm of 12 professionals with many award winning projects. Looking back I am proud of the quality of design that this firm has produced and the sheer number of buildings providing for a good environment for their users.

What was your most notable project, deal or transaction in 2019?
There are really two things which are important milestones for 2019. The first on a professional level I was elected as the incoming president of the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston for 2020. This is an organization I have been involved with well before founding my firm. 

The second involves a project which is very close to home. In 2016 we started work on the renovation and reuse of the Reading Post Office. As a longtime resident of town it was an important building and a key to the revitalization of the downtown. It evolved into a project that retained the historic post office and reused it as retail/restaurant space and redeveloped the parking at the rear to 50 condominium units attached to and partially over the existing building. This project is now framed and siding is being installed. The project which was greeted by some with concern at first is now receiving praise and is mostly sold out 8 months before completion.

What are your predictions for commercial real estate in 2020?
We have had a long period of construction growth and have seen many successful developments. I see 2020 as a time of caution with our clients as they look at new projects. They are bypassing some deals as overpriced or not feasible. This slight cooling off of the market is probably a good thing as we approach our 10^th year of expansion.