J
ohn F. Fish
BOSTON – Suffolk has become a benchmark in large‑scale construction, blending purpose‑driven leadership with forward‑thinking innovation. With more than $8 billion in annual revenue and a workforce of over 3,000 nationwide, the firm leads across commercial real estate, life sciences, healthcare, higher education, aviation, and infrastructure.
Founder and CEO John Fish has steered Suffolk from a regional contractor in 1982 to a national construction and investment powerhouse. Known for the credo “Prove Impossible Wrong,” Fish champions bold ideas, collaboration, and relentless progress. This year Suffolk is named 2025 Construction Firm of the Year, a nod to its impact on Boston’s skyline, economy, and the broader national scene.
South Station Tower – Boston’s New Icon
Suffolk’s general‑contractor role on the 51‑story, 680‑foot South Station Tower highlights its exceptional capabilities. Built above Boston’s busiest transit hub, the tower integrates 680,000 sq ft of high‑performance office space, 166 Ritz‑Carlton luxury residences, and vibrant retail into a mixed‑use landmark. The project also delivers major transit upgrades: a 67 % expansion of the commuter‑rail concourse, a 50 % increase in bus terminal capacity, and new connections between the terminal and platforms. Pre‑certified for LEED Gold and targeting WELL Gold, the tower exemplifies Suffolk’s commitment to sustainable, health‑focused design.
Vertical Integration – Suffolk’s Distinct Model
Suffolk’s success comes from a vertically integrated framework that unites construction, real‑estate investment, design, and data‑driven project management. This synergy enables the firm to deliver complex projects with precision and speed. Beyond keeping pace, Suffolk drives industry change through Suffolk Technologies, its innovation arm. Since 2019, the venture has backed over 55 startups in robotics, AI, materials science, sustainability, and automation, culminating in a $110 million fund in 2025 that earned the title of most active ConTech investor by AGC Partners.
National Reach, Boston Roots
While Suffolk’s portfolio spans Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Dallas, and New York, its foundation remains in Boston. Projects such as Millennium Tower, Encore Boston Harbor, and now South Station Tower have helped shape the city’s modern identity, marrying innovation, sustainability, and community impact.
Under Fish’s guidance, Suffolk prioritizes workforce development, diversity, inclusion, and civic engagement. He champions public education, workforce training, and equitable growth, and has chaired Boston 2024, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, and serves on multiple nonprofit and educational boards.
Vision for Tomorrow
Looking ahead, Suffolk’s mission is simple yet ambitious: build without boundaries. By harnessing data, technology, and diverse talent, the firm seeks to unlock new efficiencies, challenge conventional norms, and redefine what construction can achieve.
For its scale, bold leadership, transformative projects, and unwavering commitment to innovation, Suffolk earns the 2025 Construction Firm of the Year title—a recognition befitting a company that not only constructs the future but invents it.
