Elmer Gardens
Transforming a Historic School into Senior Living
Client: Home Leasing
Location: Schenectady, NY
MZ Construction partnered with Home Leasing on the Elmer Gardens project, a unique and meaningful renovation that transformed a historic school building in Schenectady into a modern assisted living facility designed to serve the local senior community.
This project highlighted the strength of collaboration between MZ Construction and Home Leasing. From early planning through final finishes, the job fostered an environment of trust, craftsmanship, and teamwork. MZ brought its expertise in prefabrication, framing, and finish work to the project while working closely alongside Home Leasing and other partners.
Project Scope
The Elmer Gardens project was distinct from a typical commercial construction contract. Under the initial leadership of Superintendent Larry Comstock, the project began with a strong foundation of coordination and planning. As the project advanced, Frank Sultan stepped into the Superintendent role, continuing to guide the MZ crew through the final phases. The renovation involved modernizing an aging structure while preserving key architectural features and creating safe, comfortable living spaces for future residents.
Building Relationships
Beyond the technical scope of work, the Elmer Gardens project exemplified the power of partnership. MZ’s team worked side-by-side with Home Leasing’s crew throughout the project, building not only walls but also strong working relationships grounded in mutual respect.
Prefabrication Innovation
One of the standout elements of this project was MZ’s use of prefabrication to streamline the installation of specialty components. Custom wall sconce mounts were designed and built off-site in the MZ prefabrication shop, then installed with precision on site. This approach improved installation speed and consistency, contributing to the overall efficiency and quality of the build.
Recognition for Safety Leadership
A key moment during the Elmer Gardens project was the awarding of a Safety Pillar Coin to Frank Sultan for his leadership in fostering a strong safety culture on site. During National Safety Stand-Down Week, Frank developed and delivered a presentation on fall prevention to the crew at Elmer Gardens, demonstrating MZ’s commitment to keeping everyone on site safe and ensuring every team member returns home safely each day.
MZ Construction is proud to have contributed to the transformation of Elmer Gardens, helping create a space that will serve and support the community for years to come. The success of this project reflects the strength of our partnerships and the dedication of our talented team.