| Not many firms make it to 50 years, let alone 125. But John Gallin & Son has that many candles this year, making it the oldest family owned and continually operated construction firm in NYC and one of the oldest in the country. Its team, including Chris Gallin, Tom Gallin, Mark Varian, Bobby Gallin, and Mike Gallin (with Laphroaig & Ardmore master ambassador Simon Brooking, in kilt) recently celebrated with a Fat Tuesday scotch tasting at the General Society Library. But the key to survival isn’t a smooth whiskey—it’s not having grandiose expectations of receiving a pot of gold for joining the family business, says Mark, whom as president is fourth-generation management at the firm. And now members of the fifth generation, a few still in college, are joining the company, as well. |
| John Gallin & Son circa 1900 (before they upgraded to an office at102 Madison Avenue). In addition to the Varians and Gallins, there are three other multi-generational families working for the firm, Mark says, joking that “nepotism works.” But it’s a good formula, and the firm needs the feet on the ground now. Tom (whose six out of seven siblings worked for the firm at some point) reports that the past six months has seen a jump in business, particularly as legal, hedge fund, and financial firms expand and need interior build-outs (it’s assisting Wells Fargo in the post-Wachovia restacking, for one). Non-profit, educational, and medical work has also increased. And as the construction market loosens up, clients are opening their walletsfor more high-end work, with premium materials like stone making a comeback as building owners try to make spaces more attractive for tenants. |
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