From the very beginning, the Trolley Square Apartments Project has been shaped by a strong and trusted partnership between Bancroft and Berger Development. Our involvement began in September 2023, well before a design team was brought on board, when we worked together to understand the 51,000 SF podium and determine the best structural solution for the site. After analyzing the project’s constraints and comparing five different podium systems, both teams selected to move forward with a conventional cast-in-place structure as the most efficient and reliable choice. This early collaboration set a foundation of clarity and shared purpose.

As the design phase unfolded, Berger chose a negotiated approach rather than a traditional hard bid to keep the project aligned with budget goals and to preserve the spirit of partnership. Working in lockstep, our teams evaluated costs, uncovered value-engineering opportunities, and used the collaborative preconstruction platform Join to maintain full transparency throughout the process. With real-time visibility into how design decisions impacted pricing, Berger remained informed and empowered at every step.

That same dedication to openness guided the development of the project’s preferred bidders list and the finalization of the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). Together, we evaluated trade partners, including those recommended by Berger, and completed a thorough, line-by-line budget review that clearly outlined scope assignments. All proposals and quotes were shared openly, reinforcing the trust that has defined this project from its earliest days. As we continue to bring the Trolley Square Apartments to life, the project stands as a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration, communication, and a shared commitment to excellence.