Home to some of the most prestigious schools in the country, Cambridge is a  famous college town. Filled with ivy brick buildings, walking trails, and bike baskets, there’s a certain atmosphere in the area that transports you across time. Businesses looking to put up a retail space in Cambridge will want to blend in with the charming setting.

We have compiled a list of the five best commercial contractors in Cambridge, Massachusetts. These firms were chosen for their backgrounds, their experience, and the range of successful commercial projects they have completed. Many of these companies have awards that attest to their abilities in industrial building as well as professional accreditations.

Elaine Construction

1037 Chestnut Street, Newton Upper Falls, MA 02464

Elaine construction is a third-generation family-owned and operated business based in Massachusetts. The firm proudly offers general contracting services to academic institutions, corporations, healthcare, pharmaceutical, and fitness sectors. As a woman-certified business, the team behind Elaine Construction provides better experiences and better outcomes. 

With its lean methodology, the firm is able to meet increasing demands for fast-track project delivery. This mindset allows the team to eliminate waste and bring added value by using a well-organized and safe approach to all projects. Through alternative sequencing, Elaine Construction makes it possible to achieve a more efficient turnover and meet client expectations. 

A result of the firm’s Lean Method is The Medicines Company project. Elaine Construction was charged with fitting out the 7,500-square-foot space on a 10-week schedule. The office was designed with demountable partitions and custom reception desk and cubicles. The installation of the high-tech Audio/Visual system was one of the project’s highlights, as it connected their global community of salespeople. The firm was able to finish the project within the 10-week schedule and stayed within budget. 

Elaine Construction is a multi-award-winning firm. The firm was named on The Boston Globe’s Top Places to Work list in 2012, 2013, and 2015. It was also named one of The Commonwealth Institute/The Boston Globe’s Top Woman-Led Businesses in 2014. And the firm’s CEO was named one of The Boston Globe’s Most Admired CEOs.

Siena Construction

38 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA 02139

Founded in 1991, Siena Construction is a full-service contractor that’s one of the most respected firms in greater Boston. Nearly 80% of the company’s work comes from repeat clients, who continue to work with Siena because of its precise planning and scheduling requirements. As an agile and attentive contractor with experienced and collaborative staff – its senior management averages 30 years of construction industry experience – exacting specifications are not a deterrent, but a welcome challenge. 

The Cambridge-based firm works in a variety of sectors including life sciences, commercial, higher education, fine arts communities, and GMP manufacturing projects to name a few. Its depth of building experience includes ground-up construction, interior renovations, office-to-lab conversions, base building upgrades, and facilities maintenance. 

An active member of the Cambridge community, Siena is proud to lend its support to its surrounding community and non-profit ventures. The firm has affiliations with the Cambridge Historical Society, the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, the Cambridge Science Festival, and City Sprouts. It has also served MIT and Harvard with its commercial capabilities. 

With an ongoing building partnership with MITIMCo and MIT, Siena Construction completed a renovation project for the Job Connector by MIT. The renovation called for new offices and support spaces across 4,500 square feet. With additional exterior work, Siena coordinated closely with MITIMCo’s real estate team to ensure that their building visions were aligned. Rigorous quality control and scheduling resulted in the project’s success. The office space supports the Job Connector’s goals, providing Cambridge residents with job opportunities, skill training, and internships in the changing career landscape in Cambridge.

Siena was also the recipient of the Preservation Award at the 19th Annual Cambridge Preservation Awards for its work on MITIMCo’s Kennedy Building, a mixed-use building built in 1890. The firm restored the copper oriel bay windows across five floors and was recognized for its contribution to the city’s architecture by the Cambridge Historical Society. 

NEI General Contracting

27 Pacella Park Drive, Randolph, MA 02368

NEI General Contracting provides fast-paced and first-class construction services to clients throughout the Eastern United States. With a full spectrum of general contracting and construction management services, NEI has completed over $2 billion worth of building projects. It has extensive experience with senior living facilities, residential and commercial developments, historic renovations, and more. Its niche market is providing affordable and market-rate housing in its service areas. 

The firm’s projects in Cambridge involved upgrades and renovations to a mixed-used building originally built in 1911. NEI General Contracting ensured that future generations can enjoy the structure by doing substantial renovations and life safety improvement upgrades. The complete renovation of 103 SRO units, common areas, and office spaces preserved the structural integrity of the building. 

With its dedication to historic renovations, NEI is a continuous recipient of preservation awards. In 2019, it was given 3 preservation awards: the Preservation Massachusetts Robert H. Kuehn Award; the Bethany Apartments, Preservation Massachusetts Paul Tsongas Award; the Maple Commons Apartments, and Preservation Massachusetts People’s Choice Award for the Maple Commons Apartments. 

The LEED Platinum firm has offices in Massachusetts and Florida, rendering it a firm well-situated to take on projects up and down the East Coast. With deep resources and expansive industry experience, NEI offers unparalleled tools for project development and construction management.

Walsh Brothers, Inc

210 Commercial Street, Boston, MA 02109

With over a century of experience in the construction industry, Walsh Brothers has taken on some of the most complex historic projects in New England. Since 1901, the builders of Walsh Brothers have built and updated the area’s landmarks. As a family-owned and led firm, it operates on the belief that long-standing relationships are of the highest importance. Year after year, clients return to Walsh Brothers to handle their most challenging and complex building projects. Equipped with a seasoned team of builders and engineers, the firm’s unique abilities make them a forerunner in the industry.

The firm’s institutional focus allows its builders to develop unparalleled skills in handling the most sensitive facilities. The firm has worked on projects in the biomedical and academic industries which require intense system coordination and climate control. Walsh Brothers is at the forefront of innovation for academic institutions, employing the latest technology and methods to ensure customer satisfaction on every project.

The Forest City Development, located near Central Square, offers modern apartment living. The firm built 51 loft-style residential apartments with high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and open floor plans using sustainable practices. The use of environment-friendly processes helped reduce cost, conserve resources, and promote sustainability. The building uses recycled material and features a landscaped green roof that has won the firm an Architectural Award. 

With a proven track record that dates back a century, this award-winning firm is dedicated to innovating and leading a changing industry. As it looks confidently to the future, the firm will continue to meet the challenges of a new era.

METRIC Corporation

55 Henshaw Street, Boston, MA 02135

METRIC Corporation is a Boston-based general contractor led by a unique CEO, Geoffrey Caraboolas. As both builder and developer, Geoffrey brings a different perspective and profound insight. With a unique approach to every project, the firm achieves the most complex projects with little difficulty. The builders of METRIC work closely with its stakeholders to ensure a collaborative approach to every project. Mediocrity is not enough for METRIC; it continues to pursue excellence. 

What makes METRIC different is its focus on the pre-construction stage. The team is involved from the inception of every project, collaborating with clients and architects to create a design and set a practical budget. This approach minimizes the risk of conflicts and other potential issues that may cause delays. With the firm involved from Day 1, it is able to mitigate costs and set deadlines that exceed client expectations. The firm’s work ethic has resulted in a client base that works exclusively with METRIC.

The multi-accredited firm worked on Corbu Spa in Cambridge. It worked within an occupied space, creating a luxury spa and salon in a popular construction site. The firm relied on its years of experience to build a sophisticated structure without disturbing the staff and guests, and the hotel remained in operation.

With its exceptional quality of work, METRIC Corporation has been recognized by industry organizations. The firm won the 2020 Rhody Award for Historic Preservation for its multi-family residential renovation on the Hope Artiste Village. It was also honored with the 2018 Best in New Hampshire Award for The Neely House project. Focused on providing solutions, METRIC Corporation provides exceptional quality.