2023 Year in Review and Our Look Ahead to 2024

DonahueFavret ends the year completing several significant projects, with more to come next year.

This year proved to be another stellar year for our company, and we owe that success to our amazing clients, designers, trade partners, and employees. From project wins and start-ups to substantial completions, awards, and philanthropy, 2023 once again brought out the best in our team, setting us up for future growth in the coming years.

In this last newsletter of the year, we reflect and give thanks for this success, and look ahead to what next year will bring.

Major project wins and start-ups

Significant projects secured in multiple sectors

Lady of the Sea General Hospital

Earlier this spring, our team was selected through a public CMAR process to aid in the building of a new $50 million replacement hospital for Lady of the Sea. Located in Cut Off, the existing hospital was devastated after Hurricane Ida, leaving the community without access to proper medical care.

Le Pavillon Hotel, New Orleans

Originally constructed in 1907, Le Pavillon has become a distinguished member of Historic Hotels of America. Our team is currently engaged in a comprehensive renovation across three floors: the basement, and the first and second floors (with particular emphasis on a thorough transformation of the second floor). The project scope covers 12 guest rooms and suites, eight meeting rooms, a bar and restaurant, and a fitness room, along with main lobby. We will also be updating the back-of-house, including kitchens, break rooms, and restrooms.

This project will be completed in Spring of 2024.

Northwestern State University Kyser Hall

Despite current inflation, delivery, and labor shortage challenges, our Preconstruction Team has successfully navigated through the preconstruction phase for Kyser Hall in collaboration with the Perkins+Will and ACSW design team. 

Major project completions

DonahueFavret adds yet more diversity to its portfolio of work

The Wellness Center at Bayou Bend

Last featured in our Q3 Newsletter titled "Early Engagement in Preconstruction Brings Great Value, Better Results to Projects," The Wellness Center at Bayou Bend opened its doors this summer to the Franklin community and surrounding area. Following a robust CMAR process, our team identified several early-release packages, including structural steel, to lock in both pricing and schedule early amid market volatility. This process saved roughly 15% on overall steel cost from the design development to the construction documents phase and allowed for on-time delivery of material to keep the project on schedule.

This 63,000-square-foot wellness center includes outpatient medical clinics, cardio and physical rehab, fitness and exercise studios, exercise and lap pools, outpatient mental health, conferencing/meeting areas, coffee bar/café, short-term childcare, and support services.

This project was in collaboration with Grace Hebert Curtis Architects.

Poydras Home Phase 2 Renovation

Following the Phase 1 60,000 SF addition to the existing Poydras Home campus, this Phase 2 renovation of the original 1857 main building completes the construction of this meticulous two-phased project. New programmed spaces include a yoga studio, salon, classrooms, meditation area, fitness center, therapy space, and a cafe. Structural fortification and floor leveling were integral aspects of the renovation. Preservation efforts focused on refurbishing the existing arch windows and painting many of the original brick and plaster walls.

This project was in collaboration with EskewDumezRipple.

OLOL Physician's Group Primary Care Clinic

This new Walk-In Clinic for Our Lady of the Lake celebrated its grand opening this past spring. The design-build 5,000-square-foot wood-framed building features imaging equipment, labs, exam and procedure rooms, as well as a multipurpose training space. This clinic will provide traditional primary care as well as walk-in access to families throughout the Waldheim-Bush communities seven days a week.

This project is part of the master-planned community of Money Hill, and it represents the initial phase of the commercial portion of the development.

This project was in collaboration with Greenleaf Architects.

Covington Trace Emergency Room & Hospital

Following a fast-tracked schedule, this new ground-up emergency department and hospital facility brings more than 10 patient rooms, an MRI, CT scan, and X-ray rooms to the Northshore area. Patient rooms were designed with code-accessible doors that allow patients to access their assigned examination room from the parking lot without the need to check-in at the front lobby. This design decision was the result of planning during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This project was in collaboration with Kaim Associates.

Thibodaux Regional Operating Room Expansion

Continuing our long-standing partnership with Thibodaux Regional Health System, our team completed this fast-tracked project in nine months, four months ahead of the original schedule. To achieve this, we looked for opportunities that would compress the timeframe without sacrificing quality, safety, or design intent.

Before constructing the new addition, demolition was required of the existing structure directly adjacent to active operating rooms, necessitating the need to enforce strict ICRA guidelines, quiet hours, vibration-reducing construction practices, and daily meetings with hospital staff. The existing hospital and associated operating rooms remained operational throughout the construction process.

At 10,000 square feet, this project introduced four additional hybrid operating rooms, a new sterile corridor, and large supply rooms. The project also included a 6,500-square-foot mechanical penthouse on the roof above the structure, as well as new chillers and air handling units to super-cool the existing operating rooms of the hospital.

The project was in collaboration with WHLC Architecture.

Houma Christian School Renovation

Our team executed a two-phase renovation project for the school, with Phase 1 taking place during the summer months and Phase 2 strategically coordinated to accommodate the ongoing presence of students and the school’s operations. Phase 1 involved a thorough overhaul of the elementary hall. A new vestibule structure with HVAC, storefront entries, new foundations, and new finishes was also added. In Phase 2, the administration building saw selective demolition, foundation, steel structure installation, and interior improvements. The campus exterior received significant upgrades as well. These renovations modernized the school’s facilities, ensuring an inviting environment for students and staff.

The project was in collaboration with Duplantis Design Group.

Our work continues

Progress continues on several major ongoing projects

Slidell Memorial Hospital

Our team continues its work on this 60,000-square-foot 3-story building addition to Slidell Memorial Hospital’s main campus. The $34 million project will expand the main campus of the hospital with the construction of a new building that will house a brand-new set of operating suites, an additional Intensive Care Unit, and an additional inpatient care unit with private rooms that can be switched to negative pressure to aid in the treatment of airborne viruses.

Construction is set to conclude in early 2025.

Resource Bank Tchoupitoulas

We're nearing completion of this new branch office for Resource Bank that will include banking and office space on the first floor, shell spaces for future office build-outs on the second and third floors, and private conference/event space with a rooftop terrace on the fourth floor. The grand opening is set for just after the new year.

Niagara Bottling

This new 500,000 SF facility for Niagara Bottling, one of the nation's leading beverage manufacturers, will contain advanced equipment and technology to increase production efficiency and allow the company to meet growing demand. Tilt wall construction with steel structure was used to build the project on the 100+ acre site. DonahueFavret is a partner of Choate Construction on this project, with expected completion in early 2024.

Awards and Recognition

Well-deserved congratulations to our team and clients

Several Projects Earn Local, National Distinction

Congratulations to our team and clients, Bayou Bend Health System, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and Thibodaux Regional Health System for earning three distinct Excellence in Construction Awards from the ABC New Orleans/Bayou Chapter. This represents the highest award given for projects in their respective categories.

Maura Donahue Honored for 25 Years of Leadership

Maura Donahue, Executive Vice President of DonahueFavret Contractors, Inc., has been recognized for her outstanding contributions and leadership during her extensive service in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Demonstrating exceptional leadership, she has served as Chairman of the Board twice, first in 2005-2006 and then again in 2019-2020, making her the first woman to hold this prominent position. Her commitment to the Chamber’s mission and the American business community has been evident since she first began her service in 1998.

“Maura was not only one of our most passionate advocates for small business and civic engagement during her many years of service on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, but she was also a two-time Board Chair and the first woman to ever hold that position. We are so grateful for her good counsel and expertise over the years and appreciate Maura’s unwavering commitment to the Chamber and its mission,” added Suzanne P. Clark, President of the U.S. Chamber.

Congratulations, Maura, and thank you for your dedication and leadership!

Bill Mardis, Senior Project Manager, ABC Member of the Year

“Above and beyond…” were the words used to describe our own Bill Mardis, Senior Project Manager, who was honored with ABC New Orleans/Bayou Chapter's Member of the Year award!

Bill has served as a member of the ABC Bayou/New Orleans Chapter's Executive Committee for two years, currently serving as Vice Chair. He will serve as Committee Chair in 2025.

We’re so proud of his hard work and dedication to our clients!

Wendy, Tara Take Leadership in Professional Organizations

Congratulations to both Wendy Jarred, Project Engineer, and Tara Nichols, Director of Human Resources on their remarkable achievements in their respective professional organizations.

Tara has been elected as the Workforce Readiness Director for Northshore SHRM (Northshore Society for Human Resources Management). She will begin her term as Director in January. The Workforce Readiness team works to address the growing skills gap through training and development, as well as finding new sources of talent in military veterans, people with disabilities, people with criminal histories, and global citizens. In addition to these efforts, a goal for 2024 is to ‘Tear the Paper Ceiling’ which will work to promote candidates without a degree, but with the skills, abilities, and/or experience to do the job.

Wendy has been elected as the President of the Northshore Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction NAWIC - Northshore Louisiana Chapter for the 2023-2024 term. NAWIC’s central mission is to empower and enhance the success of women in the construction field, and Wendy is eager to provide the necessary resources and support. Wendy and her dedicated board are adamant in their commitment to empowering women to shape the future of the construction industry.

Congratulations to both of you on this tremendous accomplishment and we wish you success during your upcoming terms!

DonahueFavret Launches New Website

By now you've likely seen our new website launched earlier this year. If not, now's the time to check it out: www.donahuefavret.com

This new website serves as both a reflection of our rich history and a look forward toward our growth and leadership in the construction industry.

DonahueFavret Earns Top National Rankings

Two years running, and we’ve done it again! We have once again secured a spot on the national list of leading contractors by Building Design+Construction. The Giants 400 list highlights the top 150 contractors of 2023.

“Top 150 contractors for 2023” https://www.bdcnetwork.com/top-150-contractors-2023

Thank you, Building Design+Construction for the recognition!

A culture of giving back

DonahueFavret continues its philanthropic tradition

Women Build 2023

The DFC team was proud to team up again with Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West for Women Build in another successful day of giving back to our community! Women Build is an annual project in which Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West empowers women, without excluding men, to build homes, enabling them to positively impact the lives of local families by making homeownership a reality. Our day was filled with hard work for a great cause!

Thank you Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West for having us.

Fore! DFC's 3rd Annual Driving FORE Charity

Our third annual Driving FORE Charity golf tournament was a huge hit! It’s safe to say this was our best one yet. We want to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who came out to support the cause – your generosity is deeply appreciated. The weather was perfect, and we had an amazing turnout, with more than $50,000 in proceeds backing five local nonprofits. To date, this tournament has raised nearly $150,000 for more than 15 local area nonprofits. A big thanks to our sponsors for making this event such a success! We’re already looking forward to next year!

Looking forward to 2024!

A note from DonahueFavret President & CEO, John L. Donahue, III

Optimism Despite Economic Challenges

As we look back on another year's end and reflect on our successes as a company, we must thank our design and trade partners, wonderful clients, and talented employees who helped make those successes possible. This year brought many projects to a close, many in the healthcare sector, and several new projects into our office through a competitive CMAR process. We’re proud of the work our team has accomplished this year and look forward to what is shaping up to be another year of well-earned growth.

We’re thrilled to be partnering next year with Lady of the Sea General Hospital, Northwestern State University, Tulane University, and Nicholls State University on several mission-critical facilities for their respective institutions.

Alongside the many projects completed this year, two have gone on to earn the highest award recognition from the ABC Bayou/New Orleans Chapter. The Wellness Center at Bayou Bend, and Thibodaux Regional’s Operating Room Expansion each received Excellence in Construction awards this year. Both projects are impressive, and we couldn’t be prouder of our team’s execution.

With a wary eye on the economy and its impact on our industry, we’re optimistic for 2024 and our backlog of upcoming work. The market for construction materials is beginning to normalize with little escalation, however high interest rates will continue to challenge private development for the short term, but we’re optimistic regarding work in the public sector.

Lastly, 2023 was a great year for our team concerning individual accomplishments. A huge congratulations to Maura Donahue, our Executive Vice President, who has concluded her 25 years of service with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. She has certainly left a legacy for those to come. Bill Mardis, Senior Project Manager; Wendy Jarred, Project Engineer; and Tara Nichols, Director of Human Resources have each achieved great distinction in their respective fields and we’re excited to see what they will accomplish over the coming years.

Our team looks forward to the year ahead with our partners and clients, because we know our success is shared with them as well. From our team to yours, we wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a successful Happy New Year!

John L. Donahue, III

President & CEO

DonahueFavret Contractors, Inc.