PARSIPPANY, NJ — Hollister Construction Services, a full-service construction manager specializing in corporate, educational, healthcare, industrial, retail and residential construction, has finished a 61,500 s/f renovation with Uncommon Schools in support of the newly constructed facility for North Star Academy’s Vailsburg Campus, Middle School, 24 Hazelwood Ave. in Newark. The company completed a comprehensive renovation of the 52,000 s/f middle school and the ground-up construction of a new, 9,500 s/f gymnasium.
North Star Academy held a ribbon-cutting celebration in June to show off the new building renovations at its Vailsburg Campus. The highlights of the event were the performances by the students and their expressions of gratitude for the completed projects.
“The celebration of the new building renovations at North Star Academy’s Vailsburg Campus allowed the students to thank all partners involved in the project,” said John Maulbeck, project manager. “We continued to be inspired by the talent, intelligence and creativity of the students at the Vailsburg Campus.” Hollister began construction with a complete gutting and reconstruction of the building’s interior, including new ceilings and floors, security and fire alarm systems, and infrastructure.
The firm’s work also entailed the demolition of an existing vacant structure, formerly a convent, and the ground-up construction of a new 9,500 s/f gymnasium for Vailsburg Middle School. The new gymnasium features a brick-and-glass façade, a new wood floor and state-of-the art sports and physical training equipment. Hollister also constructed an elevated bridge to connect the gymnasium with the adjacent school.
Maulbeck oversaw the project for Hollister, with the expansion effort designed by KSS Architects.