J&M Brown completes electrical construction on two developments in Jamaica Plain, MA

Jamaica Plain, MA J&M Brown Company (JMB) has completed two transformational, mixed-use developments in neighborhoods – The Residences at Forest Hills; and 1785 Columbus Ave. on the Jamaica Plain/Roxbury line. The transit-oriented developments, are designed and destined to have significant positive impacts on the Jamaica Plain and Roxbury communities, their residents and workforce. 

The Residences at Forest Hills: 

GC: Dimeo Construction, Boston, MA; Engineer: Nitsch Engineering, Boston, MA; Developer: Criterion Development Partners, Waltham, MA

Located at 3694 Washington St., adjacent to Forest Hills Station and the Orange Line, the property is a mixed-use residential development. The six-story, 267,452 s/f Residences at Forest Hills project comprises three buildings housing 250 residential rental apartments. The residential complex includes market rate and affordable workforce development housing. There will be 4,700 s/f of ground floor retail space and a lower-level parking garage with 130 vehicle spaces, electric vehicle charging stations, and 250 covered bicycle spaces for residents. The project also includes a fitness center, theatre room, and amenity space with an outdoor patio.

J&M Brown’s electrical scope entailed core and shell electrical construction, including the facility’s primary and emergency power, lighting, and fire alarm system. JMB’s low-voltage division, Spectrum Integrated Technologies provided installation of the facility’s tel/data and security systems. 

The project team was headed by project executive Michael Booker and general foreman Corey Bizarro, managing a crew of 25 IBEW Local 103 electricians at peak construction. 

“Prefabrication was critical to meeting the project schedule and budget,” Booker said. “All wiring and devices for the residential units were prefabricated in J&M Brown’s prefab facility.” 

JMB was able to complete the 20-month phased project as scheduled on November 1^st, despite COVID-19 construction delays and stringent safety requirements throughout peak construction.

The development is designed to achieve LEED Silver sustainability certification.

1785 Columbus Ave.

Architect: Embarc Studio, Boston, MA; GC: Commodore Builders, Waltham, MA; Developer: Watermark Dev’t, Jamaica Plain, MA

J&M Brown also provided core and shell electrical construction at the new seven-story, 139,200 s/f office building. The mixed-use project includes 1,500 s/f of ground floor retail and a two-level parking garage with 157 spaces.

JMB’s comprehensive scope included installation of the facility’s primary and emergency power, lighting and lighting control systems, and fire alarm system. Project manager Nelson Barrantes and Booker led the JMB project team, with an IBEW Local 103 crew upwards of 30 electricians at peak construction being supervised by general foreman Phil Talbot. The project was completed in September.

Horizons for Homeless Children is the anchor tenant at 1785 Columbus Ave., occupying the 2^nd and 3^rd floors at 1785 for childcare and administration.

Among New England’s largest full service electrical construction firms, JMB is celebrating its 100^th year of operation, having been an integral part of the community since the company was founded, a century ago, in 1921. Until its recent move to Dedham to accommodate company expansion requirements, JMB had been headquartered in Jamaica Plain.

David Noon, CEO of JMB said, “It is especially gratifying for J&M Brown to have been on the project teams that have built these new transit-oriented residential and commercial developments in Jamaica Plain and Roxbury, as they promise to be instrumental to ensuring the future growth and vibrancy of these two Boston communities.”