< PreviousWRITTEN BY AOIFE CHANEY I n a 2023 roundup of the best places to retire in the U.S, Lancaster, PA was named number one, knocking the Sunshine State of Florida off its long-standing top spot. To the people of Lancaster who are involved in the devel- opment of senior living communities, this came as no surprise, as there are 18 life plan communities (formerly known as CCRC’s) in Lancaster County alone. In recent years, Lancaster County has upped its game significantly in the senior living space, providing residents with facili- ties that serve not only as homes, but as self-contained communities that offer an enriched living experience. This has created a time of abundance for companies that were already tapped into the senior living space. One such company is CCS Building Group, a leading commercial design-build firm based in Willow Street, Pennsylvania, and one whose roots began in the senior living space. As Director of Development Ted Gallagher describes it, “CCS Building Group is committed to quality, excellence and creating buildings and spaces where communities thrive and prosper. We deliver creative and sustainable solutions to clients across various markets, such as senior living, retail, hospital- ity, multi-family and industrial. We change skylines and enhance communities with a proven track record of successful projects, consistently setting new bench- marks in our industry.”| 31 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONBut like all construction companies, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Ted reflects on the past few years which have been particularly turbulent for the construction industry. “The past few years have been unlike any since the inception of our firm. We dealt with shutdowns during the covid pan- demic, material shortages, extreme cost increases on labor A Full Service Custom Mill Shop Serving Lancaster County & the Greater Delaware Valley Region 4966 LINCOLN HIGHWAY EAST, KINZERS, PA 17535 | P: 717-442-8098 | ADVANCEDTRIMANDKITCHEN.COM and materials, and found that this new age has brought with it a shortage of skilled labor. Because we are resilient, we have adapted and overcame these obstacles that otherwise would have stunted our growth. We continue to contract and partner with new clients while maintaining relationships with our existing client base.” | 32 MAY 2024When it comes to navigating the industry during such times of turbulence, it helps to be able to deliver projects using the Design-Build approach. “We specialize in being a true design-build contractor,” says Ted, “where we contract with the architects and even the structural and civil engineers. This means the client only has one point of contact, which is our team, and they're given a dedicated pre-construction manager to manage the entire pre-construction process. This initial phase of a project is usually the hardest part for the owner - when they're trying to get a project off the ground. Once a client experiences our true design-build contract, they quickly appreciate how it provides them with more time in their day to focus on their own operations.” Of the senior living market in Pennsylvania, Ted says that “it’s great for our industry, because there is such a draw for poten- tial residents and there are many options with the number of unique senior living communities in Lancaster County and surround areas.” He talks about Willow Valley Communities and their award-winning buildings which are designed with the resident in mind. These buildings truly cater to the residents with top-of-the-line amenity spaces carefully constructed by CCS Building Group. The Manor Core project, for example, required reimagining an existing building as a dynamic and multifaceted space, in which enjoyment is safe, accessible, and shared by all. “This particular client constantly evaluates their buildings and renovates often to remain an industry leader”, Ted says. “They really maintain a fresh and modern look. But with this project, The Manor Core, they wanted to take it to a whole other level. We created a town center atmo- “We specialize in being a true design-build contractor.” sphere, where the residents have multiple dining options and even have several bars they can visit to have a drink with a friend. There is a bakery, sandwich shop and other amenities such as gym and library. We created this core space so that residents can gather and entertain their friends and families in a warm and inviting space.” | 33 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONCohesion of social space and a celebration of community is what championed the Manor Core project, and this is reflected in the finished product. The renovation saw the building’s transition in a clever expansion that opened new opportunities without taking away from the reimaged outdoor courtyard space. What we see today at the Manor Core is a diverse offer- ing of dining and leisure facilities that cater to a wide range of preferences. Take the aptly named ‘Perk & Pint’ which serves as a coffee hub by day and a lively bar by night, which exem- plifies that clever and flexible use of space to align with the lifestyle needs of the residents. “The project involved a lot of structural steel work,” Ted says. “The entire core of the building was gutted from the slab to the roof. It was an existing three- story with multiple levels. All that was demolished and then put back with a changed roof line, everything's fresh and new, from plumbing to HVAC.” The before and after pictures of the Manor Core project are impressive, and a tangible reflection of CCS Building Group’s work come to life. The senior living market constitutes a significant portion of CCS Building Group’s portfolio and will remain a focal point given the strong demand for such developments in Pennsyl- vania. However, CCS is also witnessing growth in the retail, hospitality, and multifamily sectors. Ted explains, “Since our | 34 MAY 2024establishment in 2006, we've been recognized for our exper- tise in constructing and renovating senior living communities. Nevertheless, we’ve broadened our scope to include retail, hospitality, and restaurant ventures, with ongoing expansion in these areas. Additionally, we've entered into the multifamily sector, with several potential projects in our pipeline. This sec- tor is thriving, particularly in Central Pennsylvania, where hous- ing shortages are prevalent. Many developers are capitalizing on this demand, resulting in a surge of construction activity.” This clever pivot, along with its continued involvement in senior living, is CCS Building Group’s recipe for success and longevity in the Pennsylvanian construction industry. “CCS has a strategic vision for sustained yet managed expansion,” Ted tells me. “We recognize the necessity of prudence in our growth given the scarcity of skilled construction profession- als that are available.” “In light of the volatile economy, rising interest rates, and increased material costs, we're fortunate to maintain a robust backlog. This stability not only ensures our long-term presence for clients but also fosters confidence in our ability to weather market fluctuations. As we venture further into the multifamily and hospitality sectors, we're dedicated to strengthening our relationships with existing clients while seeking new partnerships with Developers and other part- ners in the Mid-Atlantic region,” Ted said. CCS’s meticulous attention to detail, utilization of the design- build process, and dedication to sustainable practices seems to set them apart in such a competitive market. “Our unwav- ering commitment remains steadfast- to provide our clients with an unmatched experience, cultivating loyalty that goes beyond individual projects,” Ted said. | 35 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONWRITTEN BY RAQUEL FARRINGTON F or 25 years, EDA has experienced massive growth and ongoing success, owing it’s nearly three decades in business to a well-defined corporate culture. The com- pany’s most important asset? Its people. A first-generation business, Ed DeAngelis founded EDA in 1999 as a roofing company for commercial institutional industrial work with the support of his wife and some guid- ance from his father —a veteran of the industry. At that time, the range of services were limited to roofing and waterproof- ing but today the organization has grown to offer its clients everything from air and vapor barriers to green roof systems, siding and wall panels, masonry, and more. Initial challenges revolved around building credibility while slowly growing prof- its, a fine balance for the then 31-year-old founder. Today, as a sub-contractor, EDA works with large firms on projects for clients spanning the educational and institutional sectors. The company has amassed a rich body of experi- ence working on projects such as airports, high-end office buildings, and hospitals. For DeAngelis, his passion for the construction industry runs deep and goes beyond the intricacy of a design, or the scale of a project plan. For him, construction encompasses much more than blue-collar work. For him and EDA more broadly, construction is connected to growth, change, and art. “Evolution is a part of life, buildings get old and need to be rebuilt and just because we work in construction doesn’t mean we can’t be sophisticated,” he says. This level of sophistica- tion and professionalism, coupled with a safety-first mindset and quality craftmanship guide all projects EDA embark on, stewarded by the team of over 450 people on staff, who as DeAngelis puts it, “Embody the EDA way and are the key to our company’s success.” | 36 MAY 2024Ed DeAngelis Founder & CEO | 37 APEIRON CONSTRUCTION‘The EDA Way’ is the set of values that guides the company, enabling everyone to achieve success both in their careers and personal lives. The values in question? • Smile, laugh, enjoy life • Live proactively • Build trust • Work proud • Exceed expectations • Be passionate • Demonstrate humility and; • Strive to improve DeAngelis has made EDA’s people — and building a strong corporate culture for those same people is his core focus as a leader. It’s what sets the company apart, particularly as the construction industry faces a wave of change. Today, organi- zations across North America are struggling with recruitment and retention. Meanwhile, many highly trained individuals reach retirement without the needed influx of younger generations. More and more, fostering a culture where people feel supported, valued, and happy is the best tool to combat these challenges. At EDA, DeAngelis and his team have recognized that to ensure you can continue thriving, it is vital to have a team of people who are proud to be part of the collective mission. “At EDA Contractors, culture is not just talked about, it’s embedded in everything it does.” | 38 MAY 2024American Metalcraft, Inc. American Metalcraft, Inc. is proud of our partnership with EDA Contractors. The teamwork, company culture of genuine care and respect as well as community support, is something our two companies share. We’ve so enjoyed working with EDA over several projects and look forward to many more. Congratulations on your 25th anniversary – wishing you many more years of success! OVER THREE DECADES AS A LEADER IN METAL ARCHITECTURAL PRODUCTS From design to delivery coast to coast, let American Metalcraft help with your next project. Explore our projects: americanmetalcraft.com sales@americanmetalcraft.com “We have spent tremendous time and money investing in our corporate culture. We have support for staff experienc- ing addiction or mental illness. We have a Vice President of Culture and Leadership and a committee dedicated to team building and activities,” DeAngelis says of the myriad ways EDA lives out its mission, vision, and values in practise. Company culture is important in every industry, but in con- struction where there are increased rates of injury, addiction, and turnover, it can be a matter of life or death. At EDA Con- tractors, culture is not just talked about, it’s embedded in everything it does. DeAngelis and his leadership team know that it is people that scale a company, so investing in them is key to ensuring success. “All of these things come together to help our people enjoy what they do at EDA and create a bond where they feel like they're part of something bigger,” says DeAngelis. Integral to this work is the strategy guiding all efforts, aptly named Humanity as a Strategy. “Culture does not get built by just saying what you believe, you can't put a poster on your wall and say, ‘here's all my core values, here's my mission and vision.’ You must have a strategy and be intentional with it and we have spent a lot of time and money doing just that.” Culture aside, DeAngelis and team recognize that this is a business too. Profitability is critical. EDA is living proof that you can do both: care about people in a deeper way and still be monetarily successful. “This is how we’ve grown.” | 39 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONNext >