Skanska USA Begins Construction on Mastery Gillespie Charter School Renovation in Philadelphia

7/13/17

110,000 square foot renovation is Skanska’s third charter school project in the Greater Philadelphia region this year; underscores demand for updated infrastructure and technology for growing charter school systems

Skanska USA has begun work on Mastery Gillespie Charter School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mastery Gillespie is the third charter school Skanska has been contracted for in the past year and the 12th project Skanska has been contracted to complete for Mastery Charter Schools.

The current Mastery project includes an $8.4M renovation to an existing four story, 110,000 square foot building. Originally built in 1925, and formerly owned by the Philadelphia School District, the building has been unoccupied since 2012. Once complete, the renovated school will serve kindergarten – 6th grade students.

During construction Skanska will install a new mechanical system, electrical service, fire protection system and ADA accessibility throughout the school. Some of the renovations include the revitalization of the existing gymnasium; creation of a new cafeteria and warming kitchen to serve the children; new glass in the exterior windows, creation of a new grand entrance with reception desk to greet students, acoustical ceilings with LED lighting, wood floor refinishing and repairing.

“Skanska’s in depth experience working with Mastery and other charter schools in the region allows us to completely overhaul a previously unusable environment into a place where kids can learn and thrive," said Skanska USA Executive Vice President and General Manager Ed Szwarc. “Our goal at Skanska is to build for a better society – and we are committed to enhancing and expanding the Philadelphia region’s capacity for high quality schools.”

“Skanska has been a tremendous partner to Mastery throughout our several years of growth,” said Joseph Ferguson, Chief Operations Officer, Mastery Charter School. “The team is experienced, effective, and always places the student’s environment as a top priority. I look forward to continuing to work with Skanska on future projects.”

Construction for this project started March 2017 and will be completed November 2017.

Skanska has extensive education experience in the Delaware Valley including two recently completed renovations for two Tech Freire Charter School locations in Delaware and Philadelphia. The Philadelphia project consisted of the complete overhaul of an existing 60,000 square foot, four story building, including new heating and sanitary systems, and construction of a new five story fire stair tower. To update and brighten the school’s appearance, a new storefront glass system was installed on the façade facing Broad Street. Skanska completed the project by installing acoustical ceilings and LED lights throughout all spaces, VCT flooring, pre-finished wood doors, epoxy painting and metal lockers in the corridors for student’s everyday storage.

Skanska USA is one of the largest, most financially sound construction and development companies in the U.S., serving a broad range of clients including those in transportation, power, industrial, water/wastewater, healthcare, education, sports, data centers, life sciences, aviation and commercial. Headquartered in New York with offices in 31 metro areas, we have nearly 11,000 employees committed to being leaders in safety, project execution, sustainability, ethics and people development. In 2015, our work in building construction, civil and power/industrial construction, commercial development and infrastructure development (public-private partnerships) generated $7.1 billion in revenue. Global revenue of parent company Skanska AB, headquartered in Stockholm and listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange, totaled $18.4 billion in 2015. Skanska shares are publicly traded in the U.S. on the OTC market under the symbol SKBSY through a Level I American Depository Receipt program. 

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