What Shawmut Design and Construction does

Shawmut Design and Construction is a national construction management firm founded in 1981 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. The firm is 100% employee-owned through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), operates 15 offices across New England, New York Metro, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, South, and West regions, and is licensed to build in 45 states. It reported $2.3 billion in revenue and works on projects in commercial real estate, education, healthcare, hospitality, life sciences, mission critical (data centers), cultural and historic preservation, residential, retail, sports and entertainment, and public infrastructure. Eighty-three percent of business comes from repeat clients, and the firm has logged zero OSHA citations over the past decade.

Shawmut delivers projects through a portfolio of services that includes traditional construction management (agency and at-risk), preconstruction, design-build, integrated project delivery, MEP services, lean construction (Last Planner System), and self-perform capabilities via the Starlite Building Services subsidiary. Its technology stack integrates Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) throughout design, preconstruction, and construction, supported by two proprietary internal tools: Precision IQ, a preconstruction software that uses historical project data for cost and schedule forecasting, and an AI-driven Custom Safety Dashboard that aggregates jobsite data for real-time risk monitoring. The firm completed 150+ LEED projects (11 at Platinum), 13 mass timber projects, and 12 geothermal projects.

Revenue is generated primarily through professional services and project fees on large, complex construction projects, with go-to-market executed via direct enterprise sales through regional offices. Customers span marquee institutions and developers — Harvard University, UMass Chan Medical School, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, MLB, Paramount Group, Brookfield Properties, Nobu Hospitality, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center among others. Following the November 2024 acquisition of First Finish (a hotel renovation specialist) and the early-2026 entry into mission critical construction, Shawmut has publicly targeted $5 billion in revenue by 2031, supported by new executive hires including a Chief Revenue Officer and Head of Mission Critical.

Name

Shawmut Design and Construction

Legal name

Shawmut Design and Construction

Website

https://shawmut.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Shawmut Design and Construction is a 100% employee-owned national construction management firm offering preconstruction, construction management, design-build, and self-perform services for complex projects across commercial, education, healthcare, hospitality, life sciences, and mission critical sectors from 15 US offices.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction Management Services

NAICS

Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413)

SIC

Operative Builders (1531)

akta.pro primary industry

Deck Design & New Deck Construction (HSAIAJAE)

Keywords

• Construction management services
• Design-build construction
• Preconstruction services
• Commercial building construction
• Sustainable construction services

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Construction Management Services: Full-service construction management for complex projects across multiple sectors including commercial, education, healthcare, hospitality, life sciences, mission critical, and sports/entertainment. Revenue generated through project fees on large-scale construction projects.
2. Self-Perform Services: In-house craft work including millwork, concrete, drywall, carpentry, and specialty trades through Starlite Building Services subsidiary, providing specialized trade expertise and better coordination.
3. Renovation Services: Hotel and hospitality renovation through First Finish acquisition (November 2024), offering fast-track luxury interior renovations.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Shawmut is a national, full-service construction management firm that delivers complex building projects across commercial, education, healthcare, hospitality, life sciences, mission critical, residential, retail, sports/entertainment, and cultural/historic preservation sectors. Its services span preconstruction planning, construction management, design-build delivery, and self-perform trade work, supported by VDC/BIM technology and dedicated safety and quality programs.

Product overview

Shawmut Design and Construction is a national construction management firm offering a comprehensive suite of services organized around core construction delivery methods. The portfolio centers on Construction Management as the primary service, supplemented by Preconstruction, Self-Perform Capabilities, and VDC/BIM Technology. Additional specialized offerings include Mission Critical (data center construction), First Finish (acquired hotel renovation brand), and Sustainable Construction services. Internal technology tools like Precision IQ and the Custom Safety Dashboard support project delivery. The firm operates across diverse sectors including Healthcare, Education, Hospitality, Life Science, Commercial, Retail, Sports & Entertainment, Residential, Cultural/Historic Preservation, and Mission Critical facilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Construction Management Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 79.2% reduction in lost workdays over past eight years
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

35 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• First FinishcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 November 2024Acquired full-service hotel renovation contractor to enhance Shawmut's ability to deliver complex luxury hotel projects. First Finish continues pursuing its own projects while integrating into Shawmut, with all employees becoming part of the employee-owned company.
• ACE Mentor ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partnership supporting students exploring careers in architecture, construction, and engineering. Part of Shawmut's commitment to building a stronger industry pipeline.
• Associated Builders and ContractorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational trade association membership supporting the construction industry and workforce development.
• Associated General Contractors of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading trade association membership fostering collaboration and industry advancement.
• Lean Construction InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership promoting lean construction principles and methodologies across projects.
• NAIOPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommercial real estate association membership supporting industry networking and development.
• National Association of Women in ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation partnership supporting women in construction and promoting diversity in the industry.
• Urban Land InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLand use and real estate development institute membership supporting sustainable urban development.
• The Posse FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partnership supporting educational opportunities and career pathways for diverse students.
• Community ServingsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity nonprofit partnership supporting local food security and community health initiatives.
• Make-A-Wish FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership granting wishes for children with critical illnesses, building community connections.
• Rebuilding TogethercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity building partnership repairing homes and revitalizing neighborhoods in underserved communities.
• Room to Dream FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partnership providing bedroom makeovers for children in need.
• Salvadori CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation nonprofit partnership using architecture and design to teach math and science.
• STEM AdvantageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScholarship program supporting students pursuing STEM degrees with mentorship and internship opportunities.
• Summer SearchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth development nonprofit providing mentoring, coaching, and financial support for college access.
• YouthBuild BostonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development partnership training young adults for construction careers while building affordable housing.
• Starlite Building ServicescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSpecialized trade partner subsidiary providing millwork, concrete, fireproofing, and other self-perform services. All employees become part of Shawmut.
• UMass Building AuthoritycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProject partner for UMass Chan Medical School $350 million DiMare Center project.
• Architectural Resources Cambridge (ARC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitectural partner for UMass Chan Medical School project.
• ZGF ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitectural partner for UMass Chan Medical School project.
• Terva/TridentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner for UMass Chan Medical School project.
• LEVER ArchitecturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitectural partner for 843 N Spring Street cross-laminated timber office building in Los Angeles.
• ARC/Architectural Resources CambridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitectural partner for Boynton Yards 808 Windsor Street LEED Platinum R&D lab project.
• Leggat McCall PropertiescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerReal estate development partner for Boynton Yards 360,000 sf R&D lab space project.
• Paramount GroupcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerReal estate owner partner for 712 Fifth Avenue landmark building repositioning.
• Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitectural firm for 712 Fifth Avenue repositioning project.
• TPG ArchitecturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterior design partner for 712 Fifth Avenue repositioning.
• Adache Group ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitectural partner for Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina Event Center.
• HBAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterior design partner for Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina Event Center.
• Brookefield PropertiescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerReal estate owner partner for Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina Event Center.
• Montalba ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitectural partner for Nobu Hotel Palo Alto multi-phase renovation.
• Nobu HospitalitycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHospitality brand partner for Nobu Hotel Palo Alto renovation.
• Cannon DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitectural partner for St. John's University $106 million St. Vincent Health Sciences Center.
• Beyer Blinder BellecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitectural partner for Harvard University Adams House renewal preservation project.

Scale indicators21 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• AECOM: Global infrastructure consulting firm whose construction management arm (including legacy Tishman) competes with Shawmut in commercial and healthcare. Operates far more broadly across engineering, program management, and concessions, making it a wider-portfolio incumbent.
• Skanska USA: U.S. arm of a global construction and development group. Comparable in commercial, healthcare, education, and life sciences work, but part of a much larger, publicly listed parent offering broader infrastructure and development services.
• Balfour Beatty (US): U.S. operations of an international construction group with strong presence in healthcare, education, and commercial building. Directly competes for marquee projects but with the backing of a much larger, publicly listed parent.

Direct peers

• Gilbane Building Company: Private, family-owned national construction manager with comparable geographic footprint (including strong Northeast presence) and similar sector diversification in healthcare, education, life sciences, and commercial. Closely matched in size, culture, and delivery mix.
• Turner Construction Company: One of the largest U.S. construction management firms, operating nationally across virtually every vertical Shawmut serves (commercial, healthcare, education, hospitality, sports, mission critical). Closest direct comp on scale, delivery model, and self-perform capabilities.
• DPR Construction: Employee-owned national CM firm with deep healthcare, life sciences, higher-ed, and mission critical / data center practices. Closest cultural analog (also employee-owned) and directly comparable in technical, sustainability, and VDC emphasis.
• Whiting-Turner Contracting Company: Private, employee-incentivized national construction manager with comparable presence in healthcare, higher education, life sciences, and commercial real estate. Similar size class and self-perform orientation.
• Brasfield & Gorrie: Privately held national general contractor with comparable healthcare, commercial, education, and mission critical exposure. Closely matched self-perform capabilities and culture, particularly relevant for the Southeast/Mid-Atlantic footprint.
• Clark Construction Group: Privately held national builder with a strong portfolio in commercial, healthcare, education, cultural, and sports venues. Directly comparable on project scale, marquee-owner pursuits, and self-perform capability.
• JE Dunn Construction: Privately held national builder with parallel sector exposure in healthcare, higher education, mission critical, and commercial. Highly comparable on culture, scale, and self-perform scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/shawmut_builds
• Facebookfacebook.com/shawmutdesignandconstruction
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shawmut-design-and-construction
• Instagraminstagram.com/shawmut_builds

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shawmut Design and Construction