Building in That Sense of Somewhere Special
JH Greene & Son, Inc. makes a place for itself through placemaking for its own clients
When a customer steps inside a Starbucks, a Shake Shack or other business, he or she ought to get a feeling of arrival, of familiarity, the re-creation of an experience, a comfortableness and overall satisfaction.
Oftentimes, such “sense of place” may be primarily attributed to the architectural designer, but JH Greene & Son, Inc. offers the skills and experiences to achieve “placemaking” too. When the allure of a tasteful facility is coupled with a seamless construction management process, the “JH Greene difference” is formed.
“We enjoy the planning and the branding of unique construction identities,” says Tony Chase, Director of Construction.
JH Greene is a general contractor that specializes in streamlining the construction process by also taking on roles of construction manager and the owner’s representative when needed. Based in Hatboro, Pa., the company of 20 employees serves clients in the mid-Atlantic region.
JH Greene wants to undertake building projects in such a way that ensures people are welcomed inside those doors—obviously an alignment with the owner’s goals, too.
While most owners and developers desire a building with a strong sense of place, JH Greene has found great success with serving the commercial sector for this specific reason.
“It’s all about internal relationships because oftentimes business owners are not as familiar with construction processes as they are with the brand and running of the business,” says Heather Grossmuller, JH Greene’s Business Development Manager.
JH Greene endeavors to fulfill the role of an owner’s representative in this regard. The company’s capabilities and resources are focused on complementing the mission of each establishment—the brand, the welcome factor and the functionality of business operations.
The team is accustomed to understanding operational details and catering its schedules to critical plans and objectives. “We encourage full transparency in goals—this way we are increasingly capable of exceeding them,” says Chase.
This approach to placemaking and relationship-building has resulted in JH Greene racking up numerous projects and high-caliber clients in which a brand or identity’s presence is a clear quality that greets people at the door. Some of the firm’s clients include Starbucks, Shake Shack, Rally House, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, and many more.
JH Greene has also built several Sky Zone indoor trampoline centers located in the Pennsylvania cities of Glen Mills, Levittown and Philadelphia, and in South Plainfield, N.J. These unique facilities must provide a high level of fun and safety and must live up to the brand and marketing of the 365-location global franchise. JH Greene soared.
“We have had the pleasure of using JH Greene over the past few years,” says Phil Stoops, Vice President of Philly Trampoline Parks, LLC, a management company that has established multiple Sky Zone facilities. “They have built all of our Sky Zone franchise locations. Their service is excellent; their staff and team are hardworking, dedicated and professional.”
JH Greene’s work with Sky Zone often involves complete warehouse demolition, the addition of structural steel mezzanines (for watchers of the bouncy fun) and substantial mechanical/electrical/plumbing upgrades. The facilities range from 24,000 to 44,400 square feet. Participants can enjoy freestyle jumping, play trampoline versions of dodgeball, basketball and volleyball, undergo cardio workouts or engage in other high-wire or wall-climbing activities.
Sky Zone is a good example of JH Greene’s creation of a sense of place because quality planning and construction build upon the prime attribute of familiarity. Equally as important are the physical characteristics that encourage activities and are recognized by visitors, according to researchers.
Services Built to Align with Customers’ Visions
Integration of the necessary work roles is one key way that JH Greene meets and exceeds the owner’s expectations. JH Greene provides single-contact accountability from permitting to completion by naming a construction manager for a project. This level of uniformity ensures that everything from scheduling to quality control to costs and beyond are aligned to the client’s vision.
At other times, JH Greene’s role is as owner’s representative. By close association and communication, the JH Greene employee is authorized to make decisions on behalf, and in the best interest, of an owner. In fact, JH Greene assumes overall responsibility in this special arrangement.
When necessary, the construction firm also guides the client in partnerships with architects and engineers.
“Instead of viewing each other as different parties that don’t understand the other’s needs, these differences can be used to add to client value,” says Chase.
Part of JH Greene’s mission is to hire staff with good people skills. Many of its employees are graduates of prestigious universities’ construction management programs and others have spent 30-plus years in the field learning from hands-on roles. But great communication skills add even better value.
“It’s all about individual attention to each client,” says Chase. “We’re able to pick up the phone whenever necessary and explain any aspect of a detailed project.”
Great communication is evident on the job site as well. For instance, when construction occurs at a business already in full operation, the crew members accelerate good communication skills, ensure there are no complaints, minimize noise and adjust the schedule to reduce disruption, says Grossmuller.
When They “Arrived”
JH Greene came on the scene 44 years ago. It began as a general contractor for residential construction. In time, while continuing to seek its own place in the market, the company eventually transitioned to a commercial focus.
The company’s projects are equally divided in the categories of restaurants, retail, senior living and care facilities, medical, office, manufacturing and industrial.
“We thrive on developing flexible, turnkey solutions to construction challenges that meet the unique, individual needs of our clients,” says Chase.
Its work with senior communities is another unique symbol of JH Greene’s ability to create or maintain the sense of place desired by a client.
At the Abramson Center for Jewish Life, North Wales, Pa., JH Greene guided a major interior renovation of 16,800 square feet of space, having to re-create living spaces for the building’s senior occupants. The phased project resulted in the remodeling of the center’s Town Square as well as the lobby, atrium, bistro, gift shop, library, offices and first- and second-floor corridors.
“This work among these special occupants proved again that our company sets a new standard for customer satisfaction,” says Grossmuller.