DonahueFavret ends the year completing several significant projects, with more to come next year.
This year proved to be another stellar year for our company, and we owe that success to our amazing clients, designers, trade partners, and employees. From project wins and start-ups to substantial completions, awards, and philanthropy, 2025 once again brought out the best in our team, setting us up for future growth in the coming years.
In this last newsletter of the year, we reflect and give thanks for this success and look ahead to what next year will bring.
Major project wins and start-ups
Significant projects secured in multiple sectors
LSU Health Science Center Dental School Renovations
DFC was recently selected as CMAR to lead the renovations and modernization of the existing 240,000 SF eight-story Clinic Building and the 97,000 SF four-story Administration Building for the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Dental School located in New Orleans. Our team is just beginning preconstruction with construction set to begin mid-2026.
St. Luke's Episcopal Church
DFC is honored to serve as the general contractor for the rebuild of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church following the devastating fire that affected this cherished community space. Our team recently broke ground on the project and is working closely with church leadership to bring their vision for renewal to life. This rebuild holds deep importance for the congregation and the broader community, and we are committed to restoring a place that has long provided connection, support, and faith.
Avoyelles Parish School Board Multipurpose Education Complex
DFC was recently selected as CMAR to work with the Avoyelles Parish School Board on a new 51,000 SF training center dedicated to educational programs focused on skilled trades. This facility will play an important role in preparing students for high-demand career paths and supporting the future workforce of the region. Our team is currently in the preconstruction phase, working collaboratively with project partners to plan effectively and advance the vision for this impactful learning space.
Tulane School of Medicine Nursing School Renovation
Our team recently began construction on the renovation of Tulane University’s School of Medicine Nursing School on the 4th floor of the Medical Center Building. Once complete, the updated space will feature modern classrooms and clinical lab areas, supported by new common spaces for study, reception, and a dedicated student hub. The project is progressing well and remains on schedule for completion in mid-2026.
Tulane School of Medicine 5th Floor Renovation
Our work on the Tulane University's School of Medicine 5th Floor renovations is nearing completion. Following the completion of the Reily Pavilion 4th Floor renovation, and with the Hutchinson 7th Floor renovation recently completed, this marks the fourth major project in just over 18 months. The renovation includes nearly 6,000 SF on the 5th floor of the Hutchinson Building and will primarily include lab and tissue culture spaces. Finishes and layout will closely align with the larger project currently underway two floors above, ensuring consistency and functionality throughout the facility.
Boys & Girls Club Covington
Our team recently broke ground on this new ground-up Boys & Girls Club facility. This important project, being delivered as design-build, will provide local area youth with a vibrant space designed for growth and opportunity, featuring dedicated learning areas, a full gym, a café, and a tutoring center. Construction is moving forward as we work to deliver a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment for the children and families this organization serves.
Major project completions
DonahueFavret adds yet more diversity to its portfolio of work
Tulane School of Medicine Hutchinson 7th Floor
Renovations to Tulane University’s 7th Floor Hutchinson Building are complete. The project encompassed full demolition of the existing space and the creation of 48,000 SF of new critical laboratory facilities, write-up areas, and office space. All MEP systems were successfully integrated with the facility’s existing infrastructure, and the project was delivered on schedule within 14 months, achieving the targeted LEED Silver certification.
Arts Apartments
Completed under design-assist delivery, this ground-up, stick-framed apartment building covers four floors and provides 40 mixed-income units. The project is certified as FORTIFIED Gold and achieved roughly 30% DBE participation. It integrates green characteristics that exceed energy efficiency requirements, used recycled content, local materials, and adhered to air quality restrictions.
ATMOS Energy
The new ATMOS Energy corporate office is now complete, serving as a catalyst to further develop a largely untouched corner of Jefferson Parish. Situated on timber piles, this new 30,000-square-foot tilt wall building provides office space for approximately 100 employees as well as an adjacent service warehouse.
Honda of Covington
Spanning six months, the renovations to Honda of Covington delivered 16,300 square feet of renovated and additional space for the automotive dealership. Renovations included new storefront and curtain wall glass facade, and newly branded front entry feature. The showroom was completely renovated to an open-air concept featuring 22-foot high ceiling height, new LVT and ceramic tile floors, Carvart glass wall with signage, and remodeled bathrooms. The project provided the addition of a new car delivery area and new office space.
Northwestern State University Alost Hall
Following the demolition of Caddo Hall and a successful 300-day preconstruction process, construction of the new 72,000 SF Alost Hall at Northwestern State University is now complete. DFC served as CMAR for this new multi-story classroom and administrative building that features multi-purpose classrooms, teaching labs—including a 10-bed nursing skills lab—simulation clinics with birthing, pediatric, med-surg, and anesthesiology suites, administrative offices, student collaboration spaces, and support areas. The project successfully navigated a comprehensive preconstruction process to establish the GMP while addressing current challenges including inflation, delivery constraints, and labor shortages, ultimately setting the stage for efficient construction and delivery.
WVUE Fox8 Studio Buildout
The former headquarters of Pontchartrain Housing Corporation has been transformed into a redesigned 37,000-square-foot studio and office space for WVUE Fox8 News. The first floor is a state-of-the-art newsroom and two new studio areas dedicated to breaking news, investigative reporting, and sports. The second, third, and fourth floors were refurbished, with the installation of new flooring and carpet, and the removal of select partition walls to create more spacious office areas. Externally, a new steel structure supports six ground-level satellites and provides ten covered parking spaces. Following a meticulous four-month preconstruction phase, the project was completed in spring 2025.
Bayou Bend Hospital Renovation & Addition
Phase 1 of the project transformed the hospital’s main entry into a more open and welcoming space and reconfigured parts of the inpatient physical therapy department to add two pre-op admitting offices and outpatient waiting areas. The expansion also added two operating rooms, an endoscopy room, six PACU patient bays, and updated SPD and support areas. Phase 2 introduced a new MRI suite with a control room and patient vestibule, a covered discharge canopy connecting the MRI and PACU areas, and a new generator at the Bayou Bend Hospital, enhancing infrastructure and ensuring seamless operations for both the Wellness Center and the nearby hospital. Our team is wrapping up final punchlist items.
Our work continues
Progress continues on several major ongoing projects
LSU Library & Learning Commons
In collaboration with our JV Partner, Milton J. Womack, the Womack-Donahue team was selected to serve as the CMAR for this momentous project on LSU’s campus. The new nearly 200,000-square-foot state-of-the-art library and learning commons will be centrally located on the campus, uniting the LSU community in ways and methods not possible in the current main library, serving as a bustling hub of classrooms, flexible event spaces, study spaces, collections, exhibit spaces, staff and partner spaces, and technologically-rich creative spaces. The project will undergo a lengthy preconstruction process with construction expected to begin in Q1 2027 following a critical enabling infrastructure project in early 2026.
Lady of the Sea General Hospital
DonahueFavret was selected through a public CMAR process to lead the construction of this new replacement hospital for Lady of the Sea General Hospital in Cut Off, LA, after the original facility was devastated by Hurricane Ida, leaving the community without access to essential medical care. This transformative project includes the construction of an 80,000-square-foot, ground-up hospital designed to provide comprehensive healthcare services. The new facility will feature an emergency department, inpatient unit, imaging services, cardiopulmonary care, laboratories, pharmacy, dining area, administrative offices, and a modern power plant to ensure reliable energy supply, delivering a state-of-the-art healthcare environment for the community. The new facility will be fully occupied and operational in early 2026.
PETNET Solutions Facility
Our team is working through construction of this new 10,000-square-foot PETNET Solutions medical facility, marking an exciting step forward in the advancement of medical technology and healthcare innovation. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to support the production and distribution of critical radiopharmaceuticals used in diagnostic imaging and treatment. Key features of the project include two (2) cyclotrons, highly specialized particle accelerators widely used in nuclear medicine to produce essential radioisotopes. In addition to the cyclotron suite, the facility will house a fully equipped pharmacy, a manufacturing department, and all necessary back-of-house support areas to ensure streamlined and compliant operations. Project completion is currently scheduled for April 2026.
Nicholls State University School of Nursing
DonahueFavret was selected as the CMAR contractor for this new ground-up facility for the Nicholls State University Nursing Program. The new facility will include classrooms, lecture space, office space for faculty and support staff, and space for technical, laboratory, and clinical training, and complement functions of Ayo Hall. The building is on schedule for a winter 2026 completion.
John A. Stassi CommCare Center
DFC is serving as general contractor for long-time repeat client CommCare Corporation’s skilled nursing facility. With the foundation and framing complete, and roofing now finished, the building is taking full shape and moving closer to becoming a welcoming home for residents. Crews continue to make strides on the exterior buildout, bringing CommCare’s vision of compassionate senior living one step closer to reality.
Awards and Recognition
Well-deserved congratulations to our team and clients
Several Projects Earn Local Distinction
Congratulations to our team and clients, Slidell Memorial Hospital Phases 1 and 2, and WVUE Fox8 Studio Buildout for earning two distinct Excellence in Construction Awards from the ABC New Orleans/Bayou Chapter. This represents the highest award given for projects in their respective categories. Congratulations to our team, design partners, and clients on this well-deserved achievement!
3rd Annual DFC Safety Day
Furthering its commitment to safety, DonahueFavret held its first annual Safety Day this past spring, in line with National Construction Safety Week that took place from May 6th-10th. The agenda was full, from emergency preparedness training and equipment recertification to special recognition for our project superintendents who embody this commitment each day.
The company was also awarded the DIAMOND rating under ABC National's STEP Safety Management System, making this the 6th consecutive year receiving this distinction. This accomplishment represents the highest safety rating available through the STEP program, and highlights our unwavering commitment to safety, making us 576% safer than the industry average (ABC National statistic, 2025).
A culture of giving back
DonahueFavret continues its philanthropic tradition
Women Build 2025
The DFC team was proud to team up again with Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West for Women Build in another successful day of giving back to our community!
Women Build is an annual project in which Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West empowers women, without excluding men, to build homes, enabling them to positively impact the lives of local families by making homeownership a reality.
Our day was filled with hard work for a great cause!
Thank you Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West for having us.
Fore! DFC's 5th Annual Driving FORE Charity
Our fifth annual Driving FORE Charity golf tournament was our best one yet! Thank you to everyone who came out to support the cause – your generosity means so much. With perfect weather and an incredible turnout, the event was a tremendous success. To date, this tournament has raised $309,000 for more than 34 local nonprofits. A big thank-you to our sponsors for helping make it all possible!
Looking forward to 2026!
A note from DonahueFavret President & CEO, John L. Donahue, III
New projects, healthy backlog fuels optimism for 2026.
As we wrap up another successful year at DonahueFavret Contractors, I want to take a moment to thank every member of our team. Their hard work, dedication, and commitment to doing things the right way continue to define who we are as a company. Because of them, 2025 was a year of meaningful progress and accomplishments.
This year we delivered several major project completions across multiple sectors, including higher education, retail, healthcare, and workplace environments. These projects reflect the strength and reliability our clients count on, and each one stands as a testament to our commitment to teamwork, communication, and attention to detail.
We secured several new major projects with both public and private clients that will continue to carry our momentum into the new year, including continued work with repeat owners, Louisiana State University and Tulane University. These opportunities reinforce the strong partnerships we have built and the trust our clients continue to place in DFC.
We also saw growth within our organization as we welcomed Cathy Seeber as our Director of Human Resources and Rachel Rekic as our Director of Accounting and Finance. Both bring valuable experience and leadership that will support our teams as we continue to grow and strengthen our operations.
Looking ahead to 2026, I am confident in the direction of our company and grateful to our hardworking team. We look forward to the year ahead with our partners and clients because we know our success is shared with them as well. From our team to yours, we wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a successful Happy New Year!
John L. Donahue, III
President & CEO
DonahueFavret Contractors, Inc.