YouthBuild Boston is proud to partner with Century Drywall, Suffolk Construction, and the Carpenter’s Union on the Winthrop Square project in downtown Boston, where 5 of our Pre-Apprentice Program graduates have been working since graduation doing drywall framing and sheetrock installation.

Some of the Best Contractors in the Region

The project is being developed by Millennium Partners, who is committed to the minority workforce and has made valuable contributions to city parks and urban livability that has transformed and uplifted neighborhoods for the past two decades.

Suffolk Construction is the General Contractor for the project and a long-time partner of YouthBuild Boston. Suffolk’s commitment to the community and their goals to increase diversity and the number of women in the construction industry have led to a number of Suffolk-sponsored programs and initiatives, including the ‘Rebuild the Ratio’ community initiative in partnerships with YouthBuild Boston and Girls Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts. Visit Suffolk’s website to learn more about their impact in the communities where they build.

Century Drywall is a subcontractor for this project. Having worked on some of the largest and most complex projects in the area, including Encore Boston Harbor and Millennium Tower, Century Drywall's aggressive style, exceptional quality, and superb safety record has made them the preferred drywall contractor in our region for over 28 years. Their team of more than 500 skilled union-trained construction professionals brings a wealth of experience and skill to every project, while demonstrating a strict commitment to professionalism and safety. Century Drywall is committed to employing union tradespeople for their expertise, as well as the greater health and education benefits that result in more professional, career-oriented employees who take pride in the quality of their work and their reputation. We are proud to have our students work alongside some of the best in the industry whose culture was founded on teamwork and cooperation.

We are also thankful to the Carpenter’s Union for allowing our students access to this amazing opportunity. The Carpenter’s Union has been providing training and mentorship opportunities, student recommendations and placement opportunities to our students for many years. As one of our most valued industry partners, the Carpenter’s Union partners with YouthBuild Boston on a regular basis, including the annual OSHA Stand-Down Day.

The Largest Commercial Passive House Project in the World

Winthrop Square is a groundbreaking project that will set new standards for building performance, sustainability, and user wellness by surpassing LEED Platinum Certification to become the largest commercial Passive House project in the world. The building's T-shaped floor plan emphasizes natural light and fresh air, significantly increasing energy efficiency and user comfort in the modern office building. The 30% increase in fresh air over traditional office buildings will improve overall air quality and lead to increased employee wellness and productivity. Additionally, the public levels will foster increased social interaction through the design's innovative 'Connector' space which is a new urban room of shape and size intended to be inherently civic in scale and function. Learn more about the building's amazing design by visiting Handel Architects. Once realized, the building will become a model for future development in Boston and around the world. Check out some of the renderings of this impressive project below!

It is amazing to see first-hand how what we build can influence the health of our planet and the people who inhabit built spaces. Our graduates are grateful for the opportunity to work on this exciting project. Be sure to check out the progress at 115 Winthrop Square in downtown Boston, and follow us on social media for future project updates!