Boston, October 17, 2025
News Summary
Kaplan Construction has achieved recognition from the Boston Business Journal as one of the Largest Family-Owned Businesses in Massachusetts for the fourth consecutive year. This accolade highlights the company’s commitment to family ownership, successful business practices, and strong community contributions. Founded in 1976, Kaplan has a diverse portfolio in construction, with recent projects focusing on affordable housing and sustainability. The firm continues to empower women in the industry, maintaining a significant percentage of female employees.
Boston — Kaplan Construction has been recognized as one of the Largest Family-Owned Businesses in Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal (BBJ). This marks the fourth time Kaplan Construction has been included on this annual list.
What happened
Kaplan Construction has been recognized as one of the Largest Family-Owned Businesses in Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal (BBJ). The recognition appears on an annual list that highlights Massachusetts-headquartered companies owned 51% or more by two or more family members or married partners. This marks the fourth time Kaplan Construction has been included on this annual list. The inclusion reinforces the firm’s standing in the state business community and follows other industry acknowledgments.
Key details and recent achievements
The BBJ list consists of Massachusetts-headquartered companies that are owned 51% or more by two or more family members or married partners. Kaplan Construction was founded in 1976 and has a long-standing team that has worked together for decades. The firm’s portfolio includes both renovation and new construction projects across commercial, healthcare, multi-family, and worship sectors.
The firm has a strong portfolio including renovation and new construction projects in commercial, healthcare, multi-family, and worship sectors. In 2014, a management transition was completed where Jane Kaplan Peck became COO and majority owner, and Nathan Peck became president.
Kaplan has received recognition from the Family Business Association and the Northeastern University Center for Family Business for successful family business leadership, multi-generational involvement, and community contributions. The company has also been included repeatedly on gender-focused business lists in the state: Kaplan Construction has also made it to the BBJ’s list of the 25 Largest Women-Owned Businesses in Massachusetts six times and the firm has been featured in The Commonwealth Institute’s list of Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts eight times.
Workforce composition and certifications
Kaplan Construction is a certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE) in Massachusetts, emphasizing its commitment to empowering women in the construction industry. Kaplan Construction has been honored as a Top 100 Women-Led Business in Massachusetts by The Women’s Edge for the eighth consecutive time in 2023. The organizations recognized by The Women’s Edge generated over $124 billion in revenue collectively, highlighting the impact of women leaders. Company leadership has noted internal workforce metrics showing that nearly a quarter of the team consists of women, exceeding industry averages.
Notable project: 2147 Washington St., Roxbury
Kaplan Construction recently completed the development of 2147 Washington St., a six-story mixed-use building in Roxbury, MA. The project combines residential, commercial and community-oriented space and was developed in collaboration with New Atlantic Development and DREAM Collaborative.
The project includes 62 income-restricted rental apartments and 12 for-sale condominiums focused on artists and the creative sector. Half of the rental units and eight of the for-sale units are specifically designated for artists and individuals in the creative economy. The first floor of the building comprises 8,600 sq. ft. of community-facing space including a lobby, dance studio, bakery/café, classrooms, and studio space for local artists.
The project was developed in collaboration with New Atlantic Development and DREAM Collaborative. Environmental and performance standards were prioritized: the development meets PHIUS standards and the city of Boston’s Zero Net Energy ordinance. Workforce and contracting metrics on the project included Kaplan Construction achieved over 78% minority labor hours and 68% participation by minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MBE/WBE) on this project.
Construction approach and problem-solving
During construction, unforeseen soil conditions required changes to excavation and foundation methods. The project team opted for vacuum excavation and drilled piles to minimize environmental impact due to unforeseen soil conditions during construction. Those adjustments were part of efforts to manage risk while meeting schedule and sustainability goals.
Why it matters
The repeated recognitions—both on family-owned and women-led business lists—underscore the company’s multi-decade presence in Massachusetts, its multi-generational leadership structure, and measurable workforce and contracting outcomes on public-facing projects. These factors inform how local governments, community partners, and private developers evaluate capacity for complex, socially focused developments.
Background
Kaplan Construction was founded in 1976 and has a long-standing team that has worked together for decades. Over time the company has emphasized family leadership, certification, and community-focused development. In 2014, a management transition was completed where Jane Kaplan Peck became COO and majority owner, and Nathan Peck became president. The organization’s awards and listings reflect both its operational scale and its leadership profile in the state.
FAQ
What recognition did Kaplan Construction receive?
Kaplan Construction has been recognized as one of the Largest Family-Owned Businesses in Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal (BBJ).
How many times has Kaplan appeared on the BBJ family-owned list?
This marks the fourth time Kaplan Construction has been included on this annual list.
What are the ownership criteria for the BBJ list?
The BBJ list consists of Massachusetts-headquartered companies that are owned 51% or more by two or more family members or married partners.
When was Kaplan Construction founded?
Kaplan Construction was founded in 1976 and has a long-standing team that has worked together for decades.
What types of projects does Kaplan Construction do?
The firm has a strong portfolio including renovation and new construction projects in commercial, healthcare, multi-family, and worship sectors.
What management changes took place in 2014?
In 2014, a management transition was completed where Jane Kaplan Peck became COO and majority owner, and Nathan Peck became president.
What recognitions has Kaplan received for family business leadership?
Kaplan has received recognition from the Family Business Association and the Northeastern University Center for Family Business for successful family business leadership, multi-generational involvement, and community contributions.
How often has Kaplan been listed among women-owned or women-led businesses?
Kaplan Construction has also made it to the BBJ’s list of the 25 Largest Women-Owned Businesses in Massachusetts six times.
The firm has been featured in The Commonwealth Institute’s list of Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts eight times.
Kaplan Construction has been honored as a Top 100 Women-Led Business in Massachusetts by The Women’s Edge for the eighth consecutive time in 2023.
The organizations recognized by The Women’s Edge generated over $124 billion in revenue collectively, highlighting the impact of women leaders.
What is the status of the 2147 Washington St. project in Roxbury?
Kaplan Construction recently completed the development of 2147 Washington St., a six-story mixed-use building in Roxbury, MA.
The project includes 62 income-restricted rental apartments and 12 for-sale condominiums focused on artists and the creative sector.
Half of the rental units and eight of the for-sale units are specifically designated for artists and individuals in the creative economy.
The first floor of the building comprises 8,600 sq. ft. of community-facing space including a lobby, dance studio, bakery/café, classrooms, and studio space for local artists.
The project was developed in collaboration with New Atlantic Development and DREAM Collaborative.
The development meets PHIUS standards and the city of Boston’s Zero Net Energy ordinance.
Kaplan Construction achieved over 78% minority labor hours and 68% participation by minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MBE/WBE) on this project.
The project team opted for vacuum excavation and drilled piles to minimize environmental impact due to unforeseen soil conditions during construction.
Is Kaplan Construction certified as a women-owned business?
Kaplan Construction is a certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE) in Massachusetts, emphasizing its commitment to empowering women in the construction industry.
Jane Kaplan Peck expressed gratitude for the recognition and highlighted that nearly a quarter of their team consists of women, exceeding industry averages.
Quick reference table
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Recognition | Largest Family-Owned Businesses in Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal (BBJ) |
| Times on family-owned list | Four times |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Management transition | In 2014, Jane Kaplan Peck became COO and majority owner; Nathan Peck became president |
| Notable project | 2147 Washington St., Roxbury — six-story mixed-use; 62 income-restricted rental apartments; 12 for-sale condominiums |
| Artist allocations | Half of rental units and eight for-sale units designated for artists |
| Community space | 8,600 sq. ft. including lobby, dance studio, bakery/café, classrooms, and artist studios |
| Sustainability standards | Meets PHIUS standards and the city of Boston’s Zero Net Energy ordinance |
| Workforce and contracting | Over 78% minority labor hours; 68% MBE/WBE participation |
| Construction methods | Vacuum excavation and drilled piles used due to unforeseen soil conditions |
| Certifications and awards | Certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE) in Massachusetts; Top 100 Women-Led Business by The Women’s Edge (eighth consecutive time in 2023) |
| Women’s Edge revenue context | The organizations recognized by The Women’s Edge generated over $124 billion in revenue collectively |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Davenport Companies Celebrates Loyalty with 15-Year Club Inductions
Dunkin’ Franchise in Haverhill to Lay Off 74 Employees
Debate Over Golf Swings and Resort Deals in West Palm Beach
Quincy, Massachusetts Celebrates Dunkin’s 75th Anniversary
Sisters Bring Polish Culinary Tradition to Shark Tank
Saloom Furniture Acquired by Bermex in Winchendon
Vanson Leathers Makes Headlines with Madonna’s Custom Jacket
Boston Embraces AI in Local Journalism
Grassi and Anstiss & Co. Merge to Enhance Client Services
Grassi Merges with Anstiss & Co. to Strengthen Services
Additional Resources
- Boston Real Estate Times: Kaplan Construction Recognition
- Wikipedia: Kaplan Construction
- Boston Real Estate Times: Affordable Housing Project
- Google Search: Kaplan Construction
- New England Real Estate Journal: 2147 Washington St Completion
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Construction Industry
- Construction Dive: Sanctions on Contractors
- Google News: Kaplan Construction News
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
