Suffolk Const. awarded $29m rehab project for Suffolk Univ.

Suffolk Construction Company, Inc. has been awarded a $29 million contract to renovate the existing façade of the Modern Theatre building in downtown Boston and construct a new 12-story student residence hall for Suffolk University. Suffolk Construction had performed more than a year of preconstruction services for the project. Designed by CBT/Childs Bertman Tseckares, Inc., the new residence hall will accommodate up to 200 students, while the first floor will house a 2,400 s/f "black-box" theatre and an 800 s/f art gallery. Suffolk will disassemble and restore the historic façade of the theatre and will then rebuild the façade around the structure of the new building. "This is a significant strategic win for our Suffolk Education group," said John Fish, CEO of Suffolk Construction. "As the education construction market maintains its strength despite the slowing economy, our team's reputation for quality in this sector has allowed us to capitalize on continuing development opportunities. We are excited to have the opportunity to continue our work on this incredible project and help make Suffolk University's vision for this building a reality." The revitalization of lower Washington St. in Downtown Crossing has been a goal of mayor Thomas Menino's administration and a familiar area of the city for Suffolk Construction. Suffolk recently completed the renovation of 10 West St. for Suffolk University, which is adjacent to the theatre and also serves as student housing. Suffolk also completed the $40 million renovation of the Boston Opera House and recently completed Archstone Boston Common, a $120 million high-rise residential complex.