Apple store project plagued by contractor, union controversies

A contractor on the San Francisco project, Build Group, has filed a $5.2 million lien for nonpayment, and union workers are up in arms about Apple's hiring practices.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 1, 2015

Skanska considers expanding office development business into new U.S. markets

Mats Johansson, head of the Skanska U.S. commercial development unit, said the construction giant will decide on which additional cities to enter within the next few years.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 30, 2015

CFMA report: Contractors not always at fault in public project disputes

The author of the study, which tracked 107 litigated cases between federal agencies and contractors, said it should encourage both contractors and federal officials to improve communication at all stages of a project.

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 30, 2015

Catellus alleges Lennar used unfair lobbying practices in attempt to win $6B Bay Area project

"We know their consultants, some of which are out of state, donated to the mayor's campaign," said Ted Antenucci, CEO of Catellus. 

By Deborah Barrington • Sept. 29, 2015

Construction robotics startup developing technology to revamp building process

These robots — currently in the research stages — might one day be able to convert a conference room into an open-space lounge within minutes.

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 29, 2015

Amazon scores final permit to begin construction on massive VA solar farm

Community Energy is set to begin construction on the Accomack County facility later this year, and it is scheduled to open for commercial use in the fall of 2016.  

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 29, 2015

SolarCity plant boosts Buffalo, NY, construction hires as region's industry employment soars

Despite the area's recent boom in construction hiring, the president of the local Building Trades Council said he isn't worried about finding workers to meet the demand.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 28, 2015

Caterpillar announces $1.5B cost reduction plan in wake of downturn in construction, other sectors

The company will consolidate and close several facilities over the next two years and cut as many as 10,000 positions by 2018.

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 25, 2015

Lennar earnings beat estimates with boost from 1st-time buyers

The firm's CEO said the positive results reinforce industry hopes for a "slow and steady" recovery.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 22, 2015

Merger of rental giants Starwood Waypoint, Colony American to create firm with $8B asset value

The merger likely signals that investors believe homeownership will continue to elude millennials and others trying to leave the rental sector.

By Deborah Barrington • Sept. 22, 2015

Battle heats up between CA county, Turner Construction with new lawsuit

The county's suit reportedly asks for "tens of millions of dollars" in damages due to project delays and alleged workmanship problems.

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 18, 2015

ABC Supply's acquisition of Norandex to create company worth $6B

The deal is expected to pass antitrust review in the fourth quarter of 2015.

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 16, 2015

Saudi officials: Binladin construction firm bears 'partial responsibility' for Mecca crane collapse

King Salman suspended the company from any new contracts with the government and asked for investigations into all of the firm's projects currently under development.

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 16, 2015

Lennar, Toll Brothers ramp up efforts in booming rental sector

The big builders haven't been scared off by concerns the multifamily market is on the verge of slowing down.

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 16, 2015

Critics blame soaring costs of Boston rail line on White-Skanska-Kiewit maximum price contract

The construction consortium secured the contract through the maximum price process, rather than the traditional competitive bidding process.

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 15, 2015

CA county kicks Turner Construction off hospital expansion project

Santa Clara officials rejected the construction giant's last-minute proposal to keep the $380 million contract and said they already have replacement builders in mind.

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 14, 2015

Architecture titan Gensler recruits designers to remedy 'weak link' of mixed-use projects

Gensler said it hopes DC-based Phil Esocoff and Amy Weinstein will help the firm submit more competitive bids for designs that include a housing portion.

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 14, 2015

US Green Building Council announces new CEO Mahesh Ramanujam

The current COO will take over the role after Rick Fedrizzi, who founded the council, steps down at the end of 2016.

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 9, 2015

Engineering giant Thornton Tomasetti merges with smaller firm, seeks to drive industry innovation

The new company, formed from the merger with Weidlinger Associates Inc., will have a combined 2015 revenue estimated around $240 million.

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 9, 2015

Apple's Austin, TX, campus slated for 2016 completion

The tech giant has revealed new details about its $300 million, 1.1-million-square-foot space, which will be home to the company's business operations department for the Western Hemisphere. 

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 8, 2015

Major contractor Parsons agrees to $3.8M settlement amid False Claims Act allegations

Although Parsons agreed to pay the settlement amount, the company denies any wrongdoing regarding claims from the Department of Energy that it accepted reimbursement for relocation expenses for ineligible workers.

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 3, 2015

Portland micro-apartment building for sale draws major investor interest

Commercial real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield said the market for the small units has "matured" and that the Freedom Center's sale would mark the nation's first of a micro-apartment building of its size.

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 2, 2015

Slump in construction sector demand leads to Deere worker layoffs

A spokesman for the company said Deere had predicted combine sales would be down, but hadn't anticipated the lasting downturn on the construction side.

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 2, 2015

Construction giant Turner found in default on $300M contract by CA county

A county official said he believes Turner prioritized the San Francisco 49ers stadium over the hospital project, but the contractor denied those claims and said it "knows how to build two projects at a time."

By Deborah Barrington • Sept. 1, 2015

10 trends defining the construction industry

BIM, labor shortages, tiny houses and more. We've compiled the most important trends that construction executives should keep an eye on.

By Emily Peiffer • Aug. 26, 2015