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Wise Insights
Technology and Collaboration in Preconstruction
By Jason Hartford, Director of Planning and Preconstruction
There’s no question that technology is a game-changer in the construction industry today…
Our History
1984 Open for business
John Wise launches Wise Construction Corporation as a carpentry and general contractor framing large-scale residential and commercial buildings. Quickly becomes one of the state's largest framing companies with 80-100 carpenters.
1984 – 1987 Working all hours
Wise Construction continues to meet aggressive schedules, working double shifts seven days a week and lighting job sites at night to achieve project deadlines. Word spreads that Wise works smartly and quickly.
1987 – 1990 Logistics specialists
Wise completes interiors and fixtures for dozens of Borders Books, Papa Gino's, and other retailers. Despite fast-track schedules, we maintain high standards and forge a niche handling logistically sensitive projects.
1991 Growing research lab expertise
Wise lands the Museum of Fine Arts as its first institutional client. This leads to work at Harvard’s Peabody Museum, which transitions into working at Harvard Biolabs. We quickly build a specialty working in occupied labs.
1995 – 2001 Building a high-tech reputation
Wise enjoys the dot-com era and biotech boom, performing lab and corporate fit-outs with high-end finishes, as well as building technical data centers in Cambridge, where we’ve established a growing reputation and presence.
1996 From GC to CM
As the scope of projects grows, Wise evolves into a full-service construction management firm. Even though we continue to self-perform all carpentry work, we now incorporate management services in our repertoire.
2000 Skilled in occupied spaces
Multiple projects in Boston and Cambridge earn us a growing reputation for working on highly sensitive projects in occupied spaces. We quickly become specialists at keeping organizations up and running during major renovations.
2001 Establishing healthcare niche
Laboratory work associated with research projects evolves into healthcare projects with clients such as Schepens Eye, Hallmark Health and Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates.
2002 Medical clients come calling
Wise is awarded its first Longwood Medical Area (LMA) project with Joslin Diabetes Center followed by a project at Children’s Hospital Boston. We continue to have a prominent presence in the LMA among all major institutions.
2004 Island project test skills
An educational initiative out on Thompson Island puts the company’s skill at project management to the test as all materials and utilities need to be transported to the island located in Boston Harbor.
2007 Building modeling introduced
Many large construction management firms use Building Information Modeling, but among mid-sized firms and smaller general contractors, Wise is one of the first to integrate BIM confidently.
2007 Team receives advanced training
Continuing to define ourselves as experts on highly technical projects, we commit to training our team members at all levels on ASHE healthcare certification and LEED accreditation.
2008 New headquarters open
Wise switches hats and becomes the client for construction of its current headquarters in Winchester, MA.
2009 Firm makes BBJ Top 25 list
Wise breaks through to be included in Boston Business Journal’s list of the area’s Top 25 construction management firms, debuting at #22. Currently Wise is #17.
2009 Wise turns 25
Wise celebrates its silver anniversary in business. At this point, Wise Construction has completed 1,400+ laboratory projects, more than any other construction manager in the Boston area.
2010 Coveted safety rating awarded
Being presented with the Platinum Award from Harvard’s ConstructSecure demonstrates our dedication to safety.
2011 Employment reaches new high
With an employee retention rate of 10+years, we pride ourselves on keeping talented, highly trained contributors. Clients know our teams have the requisite experience, skills, and focus for their particular project.
2012 Innovation meets future needs
Wise Construction and the MGH Institute of Health Professions celebrated the opening of new space in Charlestown’s historic Navy Yard. The new innovative facility overlooks the U.S.S. Constitution. 2012 marks the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 in which "Old Ironsides" played a significant role.
Wise Construction: Builder of strong client relationships
For nearly three decades, Wise Construction has distinguished itself through exceptional service to clients in the healthcare, education, biotechnology and corporate sectors throughout the Greater Boston area.
Leading names in each of these industries have come to expect and appreciate our professional, accessible, hands-on approach to projects where employees are encouraged to “own” their projects as if they themselves were the clients.
This extremely high level of service has been the essential ingredient to our consistent growth (as evidenced by the accompanying timeline). And it is the foremost reason clients recommend us and return to us, time and again.