Tag: Harvard Housing housing

Northstar Celebrates 15 Years of Growth, Vision, and Exceptional Service

Today, Northstar celebrates a significant milestone, 15 years since its founding on October 28, 2010. This marks a proud chapter in the company’s continued journey of delivering trusted project management services, building lasting client relationships, and cultivating a standout company culture.

Northstar was established because its founders believed the Greater Boston market needed something different: a high-touch, client-focused consulting firm built on trust, collaboration, and results. With that mission and an entrepreneurial spirit, the firm quickly secured its first client, Harvard Real Estate Services. Their vision has grown into something bigger than they could have imagined, forging a new path in owner’s project management

What began as a small, dedicated team in Cambridge has grown into a dynamic, industry-recognized company known for its expertise, culture, and commitment to excellence.

“Our goal from day one was to do things differently, putting clients first, delivering exceptional service, and creating a place where people genuinely want to work,” said co-founder Tom Fanning. “Fifteen years later, that mission still drives us.”

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Chris Packard’s Journey: From Bridge Construction to Commercial Development

Welcome to Northstar’s article series, ‘Meet the Partners of Northstar: Guiding Our Strategic Vision & Company’s Success.’ In this series, we explore the experiences and journeys of our partners who have played a pivotal role in shaping Northstar’s trajectory over the past fifteen years.

Laying the Groundwork for a Future in Real Estate

Chris Packard’s journey to Northstar began in 1997 when he served as a construction superintendent on the iconic Zakim Bridge during its four years of construction. From developing work plans, managing union trade resources and coordinating with subcontractors Chris thrived in this high-pressure environment while guiding his team to a successful project delivery.

His hands-on experience and leadership steered Chris forward in his career, where he met people in the commercial real estate industry. As he transitioned to working at JLL, Chris brought his wealth of knowledge and expertise and worked with some of the founding partners of Northstar. This laid the groundwork for a successful partnership and provided invaluable insights and connections that set the stage for his eventual transition to Northstar. 

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A Conversation with our Intern, Ciara Donlan: Her View from the Construction Site

Northstar is committed to mentoring and nurturing the next generation of talent with a passion for pursuing careers in project management. As part of our internship/co-op program, we collaborate with institutions such as Northeastern University, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and CREST (Commercial Real Estate Success Training) to identify exceptional candidates.

We had the pleasure of welcoming Ciara Donlan to our team for the past six months. Ciara is from Pelham, New Hampshire, and is a Sophomore at Worcester Polytechnic Institute studying Management Engineering with a concentration in Mechanical Engineering. In her spare time, she enjoys swimming as well as playing pickleball and lacrosse.

During her time with us, she was actively involved with Dartmouth College’s student housing project, attending various weekly meetings and on-site visits, and supporting reviews of the drawing sets and project schedules. Beyond that, for Biogen, she helped manage multiple coordination spreadsheets and put together deliverables regarding the building’s utility buildout and usage forecasts. In addition, she supported the Harvard University Housing team, making progress schedules, reviewing drawings, and visiting on-site. She was also helping ACC’s 840 Columbus team with various other tasks.

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A Conversation with our Intern, Julian Herzing-Burkard: His View from the Construction Site

Northstar is committed to mentoring and nurturing the next generation of talent with a passion for pursuing careers in project management. As part of our internship/co-op program, we collaborate with institutions such as Northeastern University, Wentworth Institute of Technology, and CREST (Commercial Real Estate Success Training) to identify exceptional candidates.

We had the pleasure of welcoming Julian Herzing-Burkard to our team for the past six months. Julian is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is a rising Senior at Northeastern University studying international business. In his spare time, he plays and writes music, having released an instrumental album on Spotify, and plays in a rock cover band called “Hell on Heels” with his parents. He also enjoys playing soccer and other sports with friends.

During his time with us, he was actively involved in American Campus Communities 840 Columbus student housing project, attending various weekly meetings and on-site visits and supporting reviews of the drawing sets, project cost estimates, and project schedules. Additionally, he helped manage multiple coordination spreadsheets and put together deliverables regarding the building’s utility buildout and usage forecasts. He was also involved in projects for Sanofi’s headquarters, which involved punch list administration and direct coordination with consultants and the construction team to open new completed floors and prep spaces for construction. In addition, he supported the Biogen team and the Harvard University Housing team with various other tasks.

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Building Success Together: The Power of Collaboration at Northstar

After the inspiring reflections from Northstar’s women during our annual Women in Construction Week celebration, we turned our attention to recognizing the invaluable contributions of the men on our team.

We asked them to share moments when collaboration across diverse teams, including women and beyond, led to a breakthrough in solving a project challenge. Their responses highlight not only their technical expertise but also their commitment to fostering teamwork, mentorship, and innovative problem-solving.

Join us as we explore their experiences and the impact of diverse collaboration in driving project success.

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Northstar Reflects on a Memorable 2024: A Year in Pictures 

As we welcome the new year, Northstar is excited to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey of 2024.

From unforgettable team experiences—skiing, rowing along the Charles River, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and the Greater Boston Food Bank, and celebrating our 14th anniversary—to landmark client achievements, including topping off Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard University Housing’s 100 South Campus Drive, breaking ground at Dartmouth College’s 25 West Wheelock, and cutting the ribbon at Werfen’s Bedford facility, as well as celebrating the appointment of our new president—our video captures the heart of our shared efforts, enjoyment, and success. Every image reflects a distinct story of dedication, teamwork, and the progress we’ve made together.

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Northstar Celebrates a Decade of Excellence: Honoring Andy Touchette’s 10th Anniversary

Northstar proudly celebrates Andy Touchette’s 10th anniversary.

Since joining Northstar, Andy has become a key part of what makes Northstar special, bringing together his impressive skills and dedication in a way that truly stands out.

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A Conversation with our Intern, Pratiksha Gade: Her View from the Construction Site

Northstar is committed to mentoring and nurturing the next generation of talent with a passion for pursuing careers in project management. As part of our internship/co-op program, we collaborate with institutions such as Northeastern University, Wentworth Institute of Technology, and CREST (Commercial Real Estate Success Training) to identify exceptional candidates.

We had the pleasure of welcoming Pratiksha Gade to our team for the past six months. Pratiksha recently graduated from Northeastern University with a Master’s degree in Project Management, specializing in Construction Management. During her time with us, she supported pre-construction market readiness assessments, punch list administration, and document management activities for life science projects with BioMed Realty, Sanofi, and Takeda Pharmaceutical, as well as Harvard University Housing’s portfolio. She was actively involved in the development of Assembly Innovation Park, attending weekly OAC and coordination meetings with the team, assisting with schedule reviews, and reviewing garage wayfinding installations and closeout documentation.

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The Men of Northstar: Charting Their Course Over the Next One to Three Years

After the inspiring words by Northstar’s women during the annual Women in Construction Week celebration, we turned our attention to acknowledging the equally significant contributions of the men within our company. We asked them to share their goals and aspirations for the next one to three years to celebrate their vision for personal and professional growth.

From advancing their knowledge about sustainability to building relationships to mentoring our younger members of the team, their dedication to personal and professional excellence shines through. With an unwavering commitment to embodying the values of the Northstar Way, our team is ready to continue shaping the future of being an owner’s project manager with their expertise and unwavering determination.

Join us as we explore the professional aspirations of Northstar’s men for the upcoming one to three years and learn their strategies for accomplishing their goals. 

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Jason Atwood Featured in NEREJ’s 2023 Year in Review Issue

Northstar’s Jason Atwood reflects on the year in the New England Real Estate Journal’s 2023 Year in Review issue. 

Below is an excerpt from what he had to say about the market trend that had the greatest impact on our industry this year, his greatest professional accomplishment/most notable project and how his career path changed in 2023.

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Northstar Celebrates Jerry Bosch’s 5-Year Anniversary

Please join us in congratulating Jerry Bosch on five years with Northstar!

Jerry is an integral part of the Harvard University account team, where he serves as the field operations coordinator. In this capacity, he oversees a multitude of renovation and new construction projects. His extensive experience in the construction field, spanning over 40 years, has provided him an impressive resume of experience.

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Northstar Celebrates Jason Atwood’s 10th Anniversary

Please join us in congratulating Jason Atwood on ten years with Northstar!

Jason has steadily advanced in his career since joining the firm ten years ago. Starting as an Assistant Project Manager, he is now a Vice President and shareholder in the firm.

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