While BSI Constructors is proud to have completed significant projects for big names such as Enterprise Rent-a-Car and Wells Fargo Advisors (previously A.G. Edwards), we are equally proud of our work for many lesser known but highly successful businesses. BSI has performed single projects as large as $150 million. Yet we’ve earned the loyalty of many corporate clients on very small scale, fast track buildouts. Our corporate customers typically expect us to be an extension of their business. They want a teammate that can provide real world, real time information about cost and schedule that facilitates the right physical plant decisions for long term profitability.
As you can see below, our corporate experience includes new office construction, tenant buildout, data centers, parking structures, and hardscape.
Over the past several years, developers have been a growing part of our client base. As a group, developers have a reputation of being very demanding. We don’t mind “demanding.” In fact, we find that the clarity of purpose by our developer clients is very conducive to a no nonsense construction project. There is usually no question of the client’s goals. Their projects are usually driven by economics and schedule. That is not to say that first cost drives every decision. But if developers are going to spend more for an element, they need to clearly see the return on investment. BSI’s value analysis (which necessarily evaluates schedule implications) provides the tools for the developer to make the best decision for the project.
The gallery below offers a sampling of the many different types of work we have performed for developers including hotel, retail, restaurant, apartment, student housing, parking structures, and condominiums. These include both new construction and renovation.
Since our founding in 1972, educational buildings have been a big part of our business. Way back in 1976, our first $1 Million project was a high school building for the Hazelwood School District. Initially, public school work afforded BSI the opportunity to bid projects and build a reputation when getting opportunities from private clients was difficult for a new company. Building on successes in the public market opened doors for us in the private sector, leading to our first $20 million project (McDonnell Hall) for Washington University in 1990. Now we are proud of our long list of successes in both the public and private educational markets. We’ve delivered all types of educational facilities including world class laboratory buildings, academic buildings, libraries, auditoriums, performing arts centers, student housing, and athletic facilities for leading educational institutions.
We’ve performed projects for preschools, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, universities, and graduate research departments. Take some time to browse the examples below.
Those most familiar with our work associate BSI Constructors with institutional construction. Even though this is only one of our primary client focus groups, many of the most recognizable institutional projects in St. Louis in the past twenty five years were constructed by BSI. Whether it is museums, theaters, auditoriums, libraries, religious institutions, public gardens, or universities, BSI has built its reputation in high quality, high profile projects. Click on any of the images below for a better look at what should be some pretty familiar structures.
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Those most familiar with our work associate BSI Constructors with institutional construction. Even though this is only one of our primary client focus groups, many of the most recognizable institutional projects in St. Louis in the past twenty five years were constructed by BSI. Whether it is museums, theaters, auditoriums, libraries, religious institutions, parks, public gardens, or universities, BSI has built its reputation in high quality, high profile projects. Click on any of the images below for a better look at what should be some pretty familiar structures.
Historic Restoration & Adaptive Reuse – Working in a City with an outstanding historic building stock, BSI has become a leader in the restoration and reuse of dozens of building on the U.S. Historic Register. Our understanding of the special challenges of historic buildings has helped us ensure that our clients have maximized their reimbursement through the historic tax credit process. Our ability to anticipate what most contractors don’t expect facilitates credible estimates early in the development process and minimizes the costly surprises usually inherent in this type of work.
Garden & Hardscape – With dozens of projects for the Missouri Botanical Garden, numerous projects for Forest Park Forever, and the recent completion of the nationally recognized Citygarden in downtown St. Louis, exterior landscape/hardscape projects have become an important niche for BSI. Attention to detail and quality is especially critical in projects that must withstand the vagaries of Midwestern winters throughout their useful lives.
Structural & Architectural Concrete – BSI’s roots are as a self-perform concrete company. It is an expertise that we maintain to this day. Whether it’s foundation walls, shear towers, structural decks, or architectural finish concrete, BSI has the experience and knowledge to deliver quality results every time. Our architectural concrete portfolio includes the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts, designed by Tadao Ando, which is recognized as one of the world’s finest examples of as cast, smooth finish architectural concrete.
Guiding Principles
If there is one word to describe the traits that all BSI associates are expected to exhibit, that word is Character. The following guidelines help define what character means at BSI Constructors:
- We are not a volume driven company. It is better to turn a new project down due to lack of capacity than to deliver a substandard effort.
- By your actions, the client should always get the distinct impression that their project is the most important (if not only) thing you are working on.
- The job we already have is more important than the job we are pursuing. Never take an existing customer for granted.
- Operate with a sense of urgency. Have the discipline and leadership to bring issues to conclusion as soon as possible.
- Avoid fads and buzzwords. Use technology and equipment effectively, but remember that they are mere tools in the delivery of our product – high quality buildings.
- Good processes are vital, but it is results that really count.
- Do the right thing, no matter the cost. No short term profit is worth compromising safety, the quality of our buildings, our integrity, or the bond of trust with our clients.
- Problems are inevitable. Regardless of who causes them, strive to be part of the solution. There will be plenty of time to sort out responsibility later.
- Honest mistakes will happen and are forgivable, but covering up a mistake is inexcusable.
- If something doesn’t look or feel right, it probably isn’t. Whenever in doubt, bring it to your supervisor’s attention – even if it is in accordance with the plans and specifications.
- Build everything as if you are going to own it. Spend every dollar like it’s coming out of your pocket.
- Don’t jump to conclusions. Get the facts first, including the uncomfortable ones.
- Contracts are necessary to ensure a clear understanding between parties. But don’t try to hide behind convoluted contract language to avoid responsibility. And never employ “gotcha clauses,” or try to sneak in terms on clients or subcontractors.
- Never act out of anger or vindictiveness. Be fair even when it’s difficult.
- Treat all of those we associate with – clients, designers, regulatory authorities, subcontractors, suppliers, coworkers – with dignity and respect.
- Remain positive when times are tough. Be humble when things go well. Show gratitude to all of those who make our success possible.
- God and family come first. But when you are at work, give it your all. You owe it your clients, your company, and your own self respect.
