Founded in 2018, Ascend Wellness Holdings is a cannabis dispensary that is “committed to breaking down traditional barriers in the cannabis marketplace to redefine he industry from the ground up.” Ascend focuses on opening stores in limited license states, east of the Rockies. They currently grow 38,000 pounds of different award-winning strains a year and have opened 16 stores in five different states. When looking to open and design the first cannabis flagship store in Boston, MA, Ascend reached out for a collaboration between F R O M Architecture and BKA Architects.
F R O M Architecture was brought in to “meld the company’s business vision with the downtown street scape” of Boston, MA, being one of the oldest municipalities in the United States. F R O M is an architectural design firm for residential and commercial projects and interior fit-outs that is located in New York City. F R O M in addition to BKA Architects (a full-service architectural and design firm) was able to create a unique storefront for Ascend Wellness Holdings. The collaboration between Shawmut, F R O M, and BKA brought all of Ascends design ideas to life.
Shawmut Design and Construction is a $1.5 Billion national construction management firm. They are a 100% employee-owned company, that prides itself on the dedication and eagerness to succeed that their employees bestow. The firm has won over 65 awards for diversity and inclusion and continue to do so. Shawmut Design and Construction was the perfect selection for the Ascend Flagship store.
The building’s façade featured a tremendous fluted glass block entrance that allows for maximum daylighting inside the store. When looking for a team to supply and install the hefty amount of glass block needed in this project, F R O M and BKA turned to GBA Architectural Products + Services. With GBA’s wide variety of glass block to choose from, it was determined that a Q19 Doric Neutro and a 1919/10 Clearview glass blocks would be used. These glass block added a unique texture to the façade of the building that made it stand out while still maintaining the downtown street scape that the buildings in Boston embody.
"Work was done very professionally with outstanding quality. Your crews were very attentive to detail & made sure to protect surrounding work surfaces from damage. They communicated well with my field team to ensure we & the Owner were satisfied with the end product. Job well done." - Russell Stafford, RNGD A Palmisano Company
"We were lucky to have GBA on our project at Lutheran East High School. From the front office to the field supervision and crew were very knowledgeable with our project. Took extra care not to damage the building during demolition. The quality of materials and their labor force was top-notch." — Peter Powell, Carey Construction Group
"We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the glass block at Lutheran East High School and have received many compliments on the design. The glass block windows give the building a nice “pop” of color on the exterior each side of the gym and helped to maintain the identity of the school." - Rick Jozity, Meraki Architects, L.L.C
"I saw the final glass block wall in person and it really is a work of art. We are so grateful for your team’s hard work on this." – Crister Cantrell, Gensler
"As the Senior Project Manager for the general contracting company responsible for completing all aspects of the historical restoration, structural rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse modifications to the derelict Triboro tuberculosis hospital, one of the most difficult challenges was finding capable and qualified subcontractors for the key restoration trades that are both committed to quality construction and respectful of the historical restoration process. I am lucky enough to have worked with GBA on previous successful projects and was glad to bring them into this project. GBA provided the essential expertise and quality craftsmanship that this project needed and was a reliable partner helping us convert the Triboro Tuberculosis Hospital into the T Building Residence." – Senior Project Manager, Bill Harwood for the GC, Mega Contracting
"On behalf of me, my project manager and CGC; I would like to reach out to applaud the quality and workmanship of the crew sent out to do the glass block wall outside of the theater here in Hudson. Dan and Nate went above and beyond to keep their work area organized and clean, even protected our finish trim and VWC in the mixing area with plastic. If only more companies active on site would follow in your companies steps these buildings would be cut and dry and run very efficiently. Thank you! - Jake M. Behler, Cameron General Contractors
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