BEVERLY, Mass. — Connolly Brothers Inc. has completed a renovation and expansion of The Lodge, an on-campus dining and student gathering space at Endicott College, transforming the facility with a new commercial kitchen, upgraded dining and lounge areas, and additional food-storage and service space.
The 3,947-square-foot renovation, along with a 507-square-foot addition, was completed on a compressed summer construction schedule designed to minimize disruption to campus operations and have the facility ready for students.
The Lodge is one of Endicott’s on-campus dining venues, offering students a casual, retail-style option for meals as well as a place to lounge, socialize and take a break between classes.
The project involved demolition of the existing kitchen, dining and lounge areas to make way for a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen, new serving line and two restrooms. The dining, lounge and mezzanine areas also received upgrades, including installation of a new HVAC system.
The 507-square-foot addition expands the facility’s back-of-house capabilities. It houses a dedicated dish room, walk-in freezer and walk-in cooler, providing additional capacity to support the upgraded kitchen and food-storage operations.
“At Endicott, we’re always looking for ways to make the everyday student experience better,” said Rick Gagnon, associate vice president of facilities operations. “The Lodge is a place where students can grab a meal, connect with friends, and take a break between classes, and this renovation gives them a modern, comfortable, and welcoming space to do just that.”
Construction Completed on Compressed Schedule
The project presented several logistical challenges for the construction team, including working within an active college campus and rerouting the building’s existing sewer line.
Connolly Brothers completed the work during a compressed summer construction period, often referred to in the industry as a “summer slammer” — a tight construction window that allows major campus improvements to be completed while students are away.
“Having worked with Endicott College in the past, we were excited to serve as Construction Manager on The Lodge renovation project,” said Jay Connolly, president and CEO of Connolly Brothers.
“Our team’s hands-on, collaborative approach helped us deliver a space students will love, and we look forward to growing our partnership with Endicott College on future projects.”
Project Team
Connolly Brothers Inc. served as construction manager, with Derck & Edson LLC serving as architect of record.
The project team also included:
- BLM&C Electrical Corporation Inc. — Electrical
- Carlino Building Associates LLC — Construction
- JDB Engineering Inc. — Engineering
- J.J. Sullivan Plumbing and Heating Contractors Inc. — Plumbing and HVAC
- Meninno Construction — Construction
- Meridian Associates Inc. — Surveying and civil engineering
- Stahl Sheaffer Engineering — Engineering
- Xcel Fire Protection Inc. — Fire protection
The completed renovation provides Endicott students with a modernized dining and gathering space while significantly expanding The Lodge’s kitchen infrastructure, food-storage capacity and operational capabilities.
With the work completed ahead of the academic year, students now have an updated space designed not only to support dining, but also to serve as a comfortable place to gather, connect with friends and take a break from the demands of campus life.
