For nearly three decades, Cooper Plastering Corporation has been at the forefront of the plastering industry, installing almost every type of plaster imaginable. Founded in 1998 by James Cooper Sr., the company started with small jobs and gradually expanded into high-end residential and commercial projects, leaving its mark on some of the most iconic structures in New York.
Cooper Plastering’s journey began with James Cooper Sr., who built the company from the ground up. “It’s a family business, and it’s driven by me,” he says. “I’ve come through the business with my hands. I didn’t just have a pocket full of money and start a business—I was an apprentice, became a journeyman plasterer, and worked my way up, specializing in high-end residential work and traditional plastering, much of which is still practiced in Europe.”
James’ son, James Junior, has been with the company for 14 years and now serves as Chief Estimator. His daughter, Nicole, has been with the company for seven years, managing logistics, while another daughter, Alice, oversees shop drawings and administrative work. “We’re all entrenched in this company,” James says. “The fact that it’s family makes us so intertwined and gives us the ability to stay focused.”
Cooper Plastering offers a wide range of plastering services, from traditional hawk, trowel, and spray applications to specialty finishes such as Venetian, veneer, three-coat, cement, and acoustic plaster. They also provide fireproofing services, but their most sought-after product is ornamental plaster.
Beyond its family leadership, Cooper Plastering thrives because of its dedicated workforce. “We have over 80 men that work for us, and those men really are our success,” James says. “There are only a few of us family-wise running the company, but my Super and those men are really what shape us. They do a good job. I demand it—they won’t work for me otherwise.”
This commitment to excellence has led to remarkable employee retention. “Once I get my hands on someone and they’re good, or I have the ability to train them quickly, I don’t want to let them go,” James adds.
Over the years, Cooper Plastering has played a role in some of New York’s most prestigious projects. One of their most notable achievements was their work at Carnegie Hall, where they installed acoustic, ornamental, and veneer plaster. They also contributed to the Lincoln Center, where they completed the plastering on new columns using Star Silent Acoustic Plastering, along with vinyl and miniature plaster.
Reflecting on the Lincoln Center project, James says, “It was a very nice project for us. We came in on time, and it was a great feather in our cap. We were doing three jobs at the same time, with about 100 men working—it was a killer, but we got them done.”
Their portfolio also includes work at David Geffen Hall and a major project at NYU, where they installed 25,000 square feet of acoustic plaster. Simultaneously, they worked on the 36,000-square-foot lobby of 66 Hudson and the GFRC wall panels at the Rockefeller Center concourse.
James credits his workforce for the company’s ability to handle multiple projects at once. “The fact that we have so many men is why we’re so busy. But we have to be busy to keep those men working and happy.”
Originally focused on Manhattan and New York, Cooper Plastering has expanded its reach, taking on projects in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. This shift into larger commercial markets has been a major milestone, allowing the company to establish itself as a regional powerhouse.
Currently, the team is working on a massive project at the Waldorf Astoria, where they are restoring four theaters that were completely gutted. “It’s a fabulous job,” James says. “Every room was destroyed, so we had to rebuild so many things mechanically. We’ve maintained about 25 men there for two years, and we’re almost finished.”
Looking ahead, Cooper Plastering is eyeing further expansion, particularly in Washington, D.C., and possibly Boston. “We’ve been a little too busy in the tri-state area, so we haven’t gotten too deep into Boston yet, but it’s funny how those things happen,” James says. “We’re planning to spread out, put on more people, and expand our facility, office, and staff. Growth is definitely in the cards.”
Another major focus for the company is increasing its presence in airport projects, with a large-scale job at JFK International Airport on the horizon.
Even with its rapid growth, Cooper Plastering remains committed to its core values. “We don’t really go out there knocking on doors for work,” James says. “It says a lot—we don’t advertise. It’s really about service. Once we have a customer, they’ll call us for jobs of all sizes.”
Unlike many contractors that chase large projects exclusively, Cooper Plastering balances high-profile work with smaller specialty jobs. “We have to maintain our relationships with people who need smaller jobs done, especially for specialty products we’re certified to install,” James explains. “It’s a tough balance. We do a lot of jobs—north of a couple hundred a year, all different sizes. So don’t let that fool you—there are a lot of those smaller ones too.”
“We have to maintain our relationships with people who need smaller jobs done, especially for specialty products we’re certified to install.”
As Cooper Plastering moves into the future, the company’s dedication to quality craftsmanship, strong relationships, and a deeply embedded family ethos will continue to be the foundation of its success. With its hands in some of the most significant projects in the region and an ever-expanding reach, Cooper Plastering is poised for even greater heights.
