Mc Gowan Builders, Inc. has completed the townhouse conversion at 255 East 71st St. for Marymount Manhattan College, which will provide important new office facilities for their growing campus nearby. Mc Gowan worked to ensure proper alteration and transition of the former townhouse into usable office space for Marymount Manhattan College. Mc Gowan began with the complete abatement and demolition of the existing structure, except for the façade. New structural framing, underpinning, elevator pits and structural slabs were installed, followed by a new mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) system. Mc Gowan then installed a new elevator system, windows and roofing. Finally, the building was fit with brand new, high-end interior finishes to accommodate Marymount Manhattan College's needs. The former townhouse on East 71st St. is now ready to function as premier office space for the college. Mc Gowan was selected for the project after an arduous bidding process, which included a number of interviews with Marymount Manhattan College. Refitting a townhouse into office space, while not compromising its integrity and façade, and not impacting the adjoining properties on either side, is a challenging task. Mc Gowan has experience in similar projects in the area, ranging from school facilities to office fit-outs. This opportunity required various shoring techniques to maintain the existing building structure's integrity while construction was in progress. Mc Gowan also coordinated with neighboring building owners to ensure that the project was completed harmoniously to the surrounding community. Mc Gowan has strong experience in building educational facilities. The company recently completed the Innovate Manhattan Charter School in April 2013, re-fitting the building's core-and-shell space to suit the needs of an educational facility. The Innovate Manhattan Charter School serves as a model for timely, efficient engineering. Mc Gowan has a record of performing high-quality construction for educational facilities, including the Marymount School of New York, located on 5th Avenue in Manhattan; Alliance Française in Miami, FL, an institution that promotes the French language and Francophone culture; The Leaguers Headquarters in Newark, N.J., a non-profit that provides a head start program, after-school activities and community services for adults; and The Manhattan Neighborhood Network in N.Y.C., a center that provides media education for youth. Mc Gowan is a full-service general contracting and construction management firm based in East Rutherford, N.J., with regional offices in New York, Florida and Chicago. For a decade, Mc Gowan has provided construction services to commercial and institutional clients, delivering projects for some of the most prominent firms and organizations in the nation, including Continental Airlines, Sheraton Hotels, JP Morgan Chase and Macys. The firm provides assistance throughout all phases of complex construction projects, from the initial consultation to the final closeout. Mc Gowan has earned a reputation for excellence through attention to detail, professionalism and over 30 years of construction experience. The firm's website can be found at www.mcgowanbuilders.com.