BOSTON–In the world of construction, few names carry the weight, ambition, and influence of Suffolk—a company that has redefined what it means to build at scale, lead with purpose, and innovate with vision.
With more than $8 billion in annual revenue and a workforce of over 3,000 employees across the U.S., Suffolk stands as a dominant force in the built environment, driving progress across a broad spectrum of sectors including commercial real estate, life sciences, healthcare, higher education, aviation, and infrastructure.
At the heart of Suffolk’s story is John Fish, its dynamic Founder and CEO, whose vision has transformed a regional contractor founded in 1982 into a nationally renowned construction enterprise and investment powerhouse. Fish is widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in real estate and civic leadership—not just in Boston, but across the country. His leadership has been defined by an unshakable belief in the power of bold thinking, a commitment to collaboration, and a mission to “Prove Impossible Wrong.”
This year, Suffolk is honored as the 2025 Construction Firm of the Year, a recognition of its immense impact on the skyline, economy, and future of Boston—and the nation.
Building a New Boston Landmark: South Station Tower
The company’s role as general contractor on the South Station Tower project exemplifies its extraordinary capabilities. Rising 51 stories and 680 feet into the Boston skyline, the tower is one of the most ambitious and complex construction efforts in the city’s history. Built directly above the historic South Station—Boston’s busiest transportation hub—the development seamlessly integrates 680,000 square feet of high-performance office space, 166 Ritz-Carlton branded luxury residences, and vibrant ground-floor retail into a mixed-use icon of 21st-century urban design.
South Station Tower is not just about height and scale—it’s about forward-thinking execution. The project includes significant transit upgrades, such as a 67% expansion of the commuter rail concourse, a 50% increase in bus terminal capacity, and new connections between the terminal and platforms. The tower is also pre-certified for LEED Gold and targeting WELL Gold, signaling Suffolk’s leadership in sustainable, health-conscious design and construction.
Vertical Integration: Suffolk’s Bold Model
What sets Suffolk apart is its vertically integrated model—a rare combination of construction expertise, real estate investment, design services, and data-driven project management. The company brings together the people, processes, and technologies needed to deliver highly complex projects with precision and speed.
But Suffolk is not just keeping pace with change—it’s driving it. Through its innovation arm, Suffolk Technologies, the company is reshaping the future of construction. Launched in 2019, Suffolk Technologies has invested in over 55 startups focused on transforming the way the world designs, builds, and operates buildings. In 2025, Suffolk Technologies was again named the most active ConTech investor by AGC Partners, following the successful close of its $110 million venture fund.
These investments span robotics, AI, materials science, sustainability, and automation, helping Suffolk deliver smarter, faster, safer, and more sustainable projects while positioning the company at the forefront of the ConTech revolution.
A National Impact, A Boston Legacy
While Suffolk’s national reach includes major projects in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Dallas, and New York, its roots remain firmly planted in Boston, where the company has played a critical role in shaping the city’s modern identity. From the Millennium Tower to the Encore Boston Harbor resort, and now South Station Tower, Suffolk has helped define the Boston skyline with landmark developments that blend innovation, sustainability, and community impact.
Under John Fish’s leadership, Suffolk has also remained deeply committed to workforce development, diversity and inclusion, and civic engagement. Fish himself is a prominent advocate for public education, workforce training, and equitable economic growth. He has chaired Boston 2024, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, and serves on numerous nonprofit and educational boards.
A Vision for the Future
As Suffolk looks to the future, it is driven by a simple but powerful goal: to build without boundaries. That means using data and technology to unlock new efficiencies, empowering diverse teams to lead with purpose, and continuing to challenge conventional thinking about what construction can be.
For its unmatched scale, bold leadership, transformative projects, and relentless commitment to innovation, Suffolk is the 2025 Construction Firm of the Year—a title befitting a company not just building the future, but inventing it.
