Kaplan Construction

Architect:

Prellwitz Chilinski Associates

Client:

The Mount Vernon Company

Scope Of Work

Situated in Boston’s historic South End and within walking distance to the city’s major tourist attractions, the Revolution Hotel offers an affordable alternative for the cost-conscious traveler.

Kaplan Construction was hired in 2016 to convert the seven-story, former 40 Berkeley hostel and dormitory into an urban boutique hotel with amenity/common space for working and socializing. Designed by Prellwitz Chilinski Associates, the goal was to showcase Boston’s fabled history in a modern and eclectic atmosphere, and so a creative director, muralist, and local artists were employed to help execute the vision.

In the first phase of construction, Kaplan improved the architecturally significant but aging space (it once housed the country’s first YWCA in the late 1800s) by modernizing and revitalizing bathrooms, HVAC systems, common areas, and lobby. Exterior work included a full roof replacement and improvements to the private courtyard. A new electrical service was brought in via the courtyard, and the existing courtyard wall was rebuilt. In the fall of 2017, Kaplan embarked on the second phase, focusing on the installation of electrical systems, ADA accessibility improvements, interior upgrades to the 163 hotel units, and new finishes throughout. The dramatic lobby received a custom polished concrete floor and hand-painted mural.

In 2019 the project was awarded the Eagle Award in the category of Commercial Construction over $5MM from the Associated Builders & Contractors of Massachusetts (ABC MA), the Eagle Award in the category of Commercial Construction between $10 to $25 million from the national chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors, the Award of Merit in Residential/Hospitality from ENR New England, and the Bronze Award at Building Design+Construction’s 36th Annual Reconstruction Awards.