{"id":19064,"date":"2023-07-03T06:54:45","date_gmt":"2023-07-03T13:54:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/rad-daprile-the-subcontractor-behind-some-of-new-york-citys-most-iconic-buildings\/"},"modified":"2023-07-03T06:54:46","modified_gmt":"2023-07-03T13:54:46","slug":"rad-daprile-the-subcontractor-behind-some-of-new-york-citys-most-iconic-buildings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/rad-daprile-the-subcontractor-behind-some-of-new-york-citys-most-iconic-buildings\/","title":{"rendered":"RAD & D\u2019Aprile: the subcontractor behind some of New York City\u2019s most iconic buildings"},"content":{"rendered":"

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For the latest issue of Construction Today, we had the privilege of sitting down with Andrew H. Feldman. As President of New York-based building firm RAD & D\u2019Aprile, Andrew occupies a great vantage point to talk all things construction and offer us an insight into the booming industry.<\/p>\n

First, we begin by asking Andrew about the history of RAD & D\u2019Aprile to better understand his operational focal point. \u201cWell, the company was first established in 1969,\u201d he recalls. \u201cBack then, there were three partners; however, by 1983, that had slimmed down to just one owner, and that man happened to be my father-in-law!<\/p>\n

\u201cHe bought out the rest of the partners, and ran the company solo,\u201d Andrew adds. \u201cI joined the firm in 1981, working alongside my father-in-law until he retired in 1996.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve completed projects in the five boroughs of Long Island \u2013 that\u2019s a key focus area for us \u2013 but we continue to grow and expand. Our scope has certainly increased since the company\u2019s inception.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yet, as he goes on to explain, Andrew was never destined for a career in construction. \u201cBefore meeting my wife and learning about my father-in-law\u2019s business, I really wasn\u2019t involved in construction at all!\u201d he reveals. \u201cPrior to RAD & D\u2019Aprile, I worked in accounting following the completion of an MBA in Tax.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, my father-in-law didn\u2019t have any sons of his own, and that meant when he looked to buy out his partners in 1983, he didn\u2019t have anyone else to ask on board. But there was me!<\/p>\n

\u201cHe proposed that I come in with him so that he could assume full control of the company. He then invited me to take over afterwards.\u201d<\/p>\n

Andrew\u2019s education wasn\u2019t all for nothing, though. For a start, his skills perfectly crossed over into the senior management level of the construction world. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of numbers, for sure,\u201d he laughs. \u201cBut the fact that I didn\u2019t have a construction background was definitely hard.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was only one thing to do: learn everything I could from the bottom up. As time went on, and with the hiring of key employees \u2013 including Rick D\u2019Aprile, Jimmy D\u2019Aprile, Angelo Barbieri, and others \u2013 the company flourished.\u201d<\/p>\n

Growing the city<\/strong><\/p>\n

And Andrew\u2019s not looked back since. So in what part of his career in construction does Andrew find the most joy?<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d say I feel the most job satisfaction and overall pleasure when I get to see a building that we have worked on being completed, knowing that we played a pivotal role in getting it there,\u201d he says. \u201cThere has been an abundance of projects that conjure this feeling.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Freedom Tower is a good example to share. That was incredible to work on; it\u2019s truly wonderful. It really hits me when I walk through Times Square. I\u2019m suddenly in awe of all these beautiful buildings, and I think to myself: \u2018Wow, we helped create those.\u2019 That feeling will never get old.\u201d<\/p>\n

Andrew admits that, while walking through New York City, he\u2019s compelled to point out to his family, friends, and colleagues which buildings he worked on. But, as he said, it never gets old: \u201cIt\u2019s a privilege to see how we have helped the city grow and improve.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the topic of projects, we are keen to find out about the kinds of buildings that RAD & D\u2019Aprile is working on. But the answer\u2019s not as straightforward as one might expect, and that ultimately comes down to the firm\u2019s incredible range concerning masonry and construction.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t necessarily say we have one typical kind of project,\u201d reveals Andrew. \u201cRight now, for instance, we are busy working on a school,\u201d he goes on. \u201cIt\u2019s a really special project \u2013 in fact, it\u2019s the first of its kind. It\u2019s going to be one of the most efficient schools ever built and just one of five buildings of this type in the country.\u201d<\/p>\n

The school in question is 489 State St. Passive. It\u2019s one of two new Passive House public schools being built in downtown Brooklyn, New York City, as part of the Alloy Development.<\/p>\n

\"-\"Announced in 2019, the development includes the first all-electric skyscraper in New York, measuring an impressive 38 storeys. The two green schools are being built to meet the Passive House standard \u2013 an efficiency-based set of principles based around airtightness, ventilation, waterproofing, heating and cooling, and electrical loads \u2013 to combat New York City\u2019s mammoth emission problem.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of buildings are now trying to achieve some kind of green certification,\u201d explains Andrew. \u201cIt\u2019s a win-win: the building will benefit from it due to being more insulated and so on, the designers will benefit from it thanks to tax breaks, and the planet will benefit as there are less emissions.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t design the State St. project but we\u2019re really proud to be working on it,\u201d he adds. \u201cIt is becoming a transformative experience, not least because of how unique it is. To be working on a building that is one-of-a-kind is amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Our conversation then turns away from external projects and zeroes in on what it\u2019s like to work for and with RAD & D\u2019Aprile. \u201cWe\u2019re brought in on big projects, like the one we\u2019re currently completing for JPMorgan & Chase Co, by general contractors as a subcontractor,\u201d Andrew notes.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut to be chosen shows that we have carved out a very strong reputation for quality work and, put simply, getting the job done on time,\u201d he goes on. \u201cWith every project, we strive to help all who are on the job move efficiently and safely, and to support the erection of magnificent buildings.\u201d<\/p>\n

Strong relationships<\/strong><\/p>\n

Indeed, for RAD & D\u2019Aprile, it\u2019s not just about creating buildings. It\u2019s also about establishing relationships with key people and players in the industry. \u201cFor me, it\u2019s all about people knowing they can always count on us to do their work well and without safety breaches,\u201d says Andrew. \u201cAs a result, we stand behind our work.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be frank with you, there are not many masonry contractors out there that have always had the same name,\u201d he admits. \u201cBut we have. We\u2019re one of the oldest firms I know!<\/p>\n

\u201cYou see, quite often bankruptcy or other problems cause contractors to change their name several times over the years, however that\u2019s never been the case with us! And our own people can attest to the kind of culture we have worked to create.<\/p>\n

\u201cI personally always try and think of the company as a family and treat everybody with respect \u2013 just the way I would like to be treated,\u201d Andrew concludes. \u201cGoing forward, we want to strengthen the relationships we have \u2013 both internal and external. In doing so, we will be able to work with more esteemed companies, as we have previously with Disney, Amazon, Google, and more!\u201d<\/p>\n

www.raddaprile.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n