Community Builders NJ Inc. on June 13 hosted more than 150 commercial real estate leaders for a company launch party at the Columbus Club in Morristown. — Photos courtesy: Community Builders
By Joshua Burd
Community Builders NJ Inc., a Morristown-based construction and facility management firm, has officially opened its doors with a recent launch party that drew more than 150 commercial real estate leaders from across northern New Jersey.
The company on June 13 welcomed the crowd to the Columbus Club off Morristown’s Green, where it highlighted its structure as an employee-owned organization and its focus on creating more cohesive communities through its projects. To that end, the firm presented Florham Park-based Cheshire Home with the award of pro-bono construction management services to transform part of the nonprofit’s facility into a vocational rehabilitation training center, which will serve clients recovering from and adapting to recent spinal cord injuries.
“After 22 years in both operations and strategy roles for large general contractors, I came to a point where I wanted to build something that had a greater chance of outlasting buildings — something to stand the test of time,” said Conor Evans, founder and president of Community Builders. “In a world often marked by destruction, our aspiration is to build together, operating based on our core values, to shapes our community’s wellbeing and to create something impactful for generations to come.”
SLIDESHOW: Community Builders launch party
The launch party — which drew executives from SJP Properties, Vision Real Estate Partners, Cushman & Wakefield, JLL, Chilmark Real Estate Services, Hekemian, Gensler, Lincoln Property Co., Kimmerle Group, NK Architects and HDR, among others — follows the addition of Niko Spasov as a construction manager and partner earlier this year. He’s part of a growing team that focuses on projects that will include multifamily, cultural, sports and recreation, education, wellness, spiritual and nonprofit facilities, among others.
Spasov, who was given a certificate for shares of Community Builders stock, was among those on hand for the event. He also presented Chesire Home with the firm’s pledge for pro-bono construction services, which resulted from a contest that the company held in conjunction with its launch.
“The vocation space is a place where our residents gather to build friendships, grow their personal skills and learn new ones, improve their communication and so much more,” said Kim Eskin, director of development for Cheshire Home. “It is an incredible undertaking for Cheshire. We are beyond grateful to work with Community Builders!”
Co-hosts included Frank Vitolo of Sills Cummis Gross PC, Nancy Dougherty of Studio 1200, Roger Jones of Valley Bank, Brad Bohler of Bohler Engineering and Nick Kraus of Kraus Marketing, according to a news release. The evening also included resolutions from the offices of state Assemblywoman Aura Dunn and Sen. Anthony Bucco as well as U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill.
“The vibe was electric,” said Stuart Johnson, principal at Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners. “Their values aren’t corporate buzzwords. Community Builders is currently managing the renovation and fit-out of M&W’s corporate office in Lambertville. I can tell you firsthand they live and uphold their values to the highest degree. They are building something special, and it is neat to be a part of it.”
Spasov joins Community Builders as construction manager, partner
