A Look Inside CHN Housing Partners New Office Construction
Interview with Robin Holmes, Vice President of Construction and Bill Jackson, Senior Construction Manager.
A Look Inside CHN Housing Partners New Office Construction
On November 15, 2024, CHN’s Housing Partners construction team began transforming the space at 3711 Chester Ave. into what is now a collaborative, innovative workspace for more than 200 dedicated employees. We spoke with Robin Holmes, Vice President of Construction, and Bill Jackson, Senior Construction Manager, to learn more about the vision, challenges, and milestones of the renovation process. 
From Demolition to Vision
The project began with a surprise. “At first glance, the building looked great,” Holmes shared. “We wondered why we were even renovating. But once we started demolition and saw the new plans, it all made sense. The redesign offered better flow and improved interaction across teams.”
The early days were anything but simple. The building’s infrastructure was deeply intertwined with other tenants, making it difficult to isolate our systems. “We weren’t on our own HVAC, plumbing, or electrical systems,” Jackson explained. “Every time we thought we were working in our space, we’d accidentally shut off something for the tenants below.” 
A Fast-Paced, High-Stakes Timeline
Though the team began preliminary work in July, the official construction kicked off in mid-November 2024. Despite supply chain issues and budget constraints, the core construction wrapped up by the end of March 2025.
“We had to make substitutions for things like light fixtures due to cost and availability,” Holmes said. “But we kept moving forward, even as furniture and security systems were being installed.”
Challenges of Renovation
Renovating an older building came with its fair share of surprises. “The drawings didn’t always match reality,” Holmes noted. “We’d think we were tying into a water line, only to find out it wasn’t connected the way we thought.”
Jackson said “The process was like a snowball effect. Every change impacted multiple trades. Move a wall, and suddenly you’re moving electrical, carpet, and more. It was like spinning plates; just trying to keep everything from falling.”
A Space Designed for Collaboration
The new office spans nearly 45,000 square feet across three floors. Each level is equipped with modern amenities: breakrooms, coffee bars, and multiple restrooms. But the real transformation lies in the layout.
“We now have enclave rooms for private calls, plenty of conference rooms, and collaborative spaces,” Jackson said. “It’s a huge upgrade from our old office, where privacy and meeting space were hard to come by.”
Holmes emphasized the cultural shift the new space supports. “This design fosters collaboration. It brings departments together and supports our One CHN vision. It’s a fresh start, especially for those returning to the office post-COVID.” 
A Step into the Future
The new office upgrade is strategic. “We’re now competing with major general contractors,” Holmes explained. “This space tells our story. It shows we’re modern, capable, and ready to lead.”
Security was also a top priority. From upgraded lighting along Chester Avenue to new cameras inside and out, every detail was considered to ensure employees feel safe and supported.
This project was a true team effort. Special thanks go Mary Smigelski, Chief Financial Officer, Mary Cavanaugh, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Mark Whipkey, Chief Asset Management, Janet Reed-James, Chief Human Resource Officer, Jessica Gosnell, Construction Administration Manager, and Alyssa Vedda, construction administrator.
“We did this with less than a typical project budget,” Holmes said. “But we treated it with the same professionalism. I’m proud of what we accomplished.”
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CHN Housing Partners