2026 Spring Preview: Tom Tassinari, CM&B

What trends or market activity are you seeing as we move into the spring season? As we move into spring, we are seeing steady momentum in mission-critical sectors, particularly defense. Driven by the current global climate and increased focus on national security, investment in defense infrastructure is more important than ever. Our work across nine campuses for a major Department of Defense supplier reflects sustained demand for highly secure, technically complex facilities that support long-term operational readiness and resilience.

What projects, initiatives, or types of work are currently keeping your team busiest? Our team is currently engaged in a diverse portfolio of projects across multiple sectors throughout the Northeast. Work underway includes our largest project to date, the conversion of the former Lord & Taylor at Simon’s The Mall at Rockingham Park in Salem, NH, into a casino, along with several major automotive developments. We are also actively building food stores and restaurants of varying scales, highlighting our ability to deliver everything from large, complex conversions to repeatable program work.

What opportunities or challenges do you see shaping the commercial real estate landscape over the next several months? Over the next several months, construction costs will continue to challenge deal feasibility, forcing clients to be more disciplined about where and how they invest. At the same time, this creates opportunity for early engagement of a construction partner who can provide real-time cost insight, value-driven solutions, and proactive risk management. Bringing a builder into the process earlier helps projects pencil and creates a predictable outcome in an increasingly uncertain market.