Our Heritage &
Master Craftsmanship
From a master brick mason’s dedication to old-world excellence to over nine decades of building New York City’s most technologically sophisticated marvels.
1927
A Builder's Firm Created by a Master Craftsman
H.M. Hughes was a brick mason. He believed the best way he could become a better builder was through creating his own construction company. In 1927, Mr. Hughes started a firm and named it after himself — H.M. Hughes Company, Inc.
The establishment of H.M. Hughes coincided with New York City establishing itself as a world center for industry and commerce. Mr. Hughes targeted the Company’s resources to serve the rapidly growing construction needs in those thriving commercial sectors.
“While establishing relationships with new clients, Mr. Hughes worked hard to build the Company’s reputation and he succeeded. Even as the turmoil of the Great Depression and World War II gripped the world, H.M. Hughes prevailed.”
Through every challenge, the Company’s fundamental principles of Truth, Trust, and Teamwork took root — principles that continue to govern every blueprint, estimate, and active jobsite we manage today.
- Master Mason Artisan Roots
- Uncompromised Structural Precision
- Master Mason Artisan Roots
- Uncompromised Structural Precision
1927
95+
30+ Yrs
AVG.CLIENT PARTNERSHIP Testimony to Enduring Trust
0
A Century of Building New York
Explore the defining eras, industrial transformations, and landmark crisis resolutions that forged H.M. Hughes into one of the region’s most dependable general contractors.
1927
The Mason's Vision & Founding
H.M. Hughes establishes H.M. Hughes Company, Inc. in Manhattan, dedicating his artisan masonry skills to serve NYC's rapid ascendancy as the global capital of trade, industry, and commerce.
1930s – 1940s
Prevailed Through Global Turmoil
During the Great Depression and World War II, the firm persevered by maintaining absolute financial integrity and delivering on every promise. Here, the tenets of Truth, Trust, and Teamwork were forged.
1960s
Service Economy & Vincent M. Massina
As NYC shifted toward healthcare, education, law, and communications, project manager Vincent M. Massina joined H.M. Hughes, winning thousands of jobs for Union Carbide, Chase Bank, and Manufacturers Hanover Trust.
1975
The 16-Hour Fire Crisis Rebuild
A catastrophic fire destroyed phone service across Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. In an extraordinary 7-day effort under Mr. Massina, H.M. Hughes hand-installed 176 tons of steel and resolved NYC's greatest pre-9/11 crisis.
1977
Ownership & High-Tech Leadership
Vincent M. Massina becomes the owner of H.M. Hughes Company, Inc., steering the company into regular assignments for medical institutions, financial towers, and AT&T telecommunications hubs.
Today
An Eighty-Five Plus Year Legacy
Standing upon a multi-generational legacy, H.M. Hughes serves an impressive roster of industry leaders who seek out the company time after time with an average client tenure exceeding 30 years.
- Historical Spotlight · NYC Crisis Response
The 1975 Manhattan Telephone Center Rebuild
In one extraordinary event, H.M. Hughes helped end an unprecedented communications crisis in New York. An enormous, 16-hour fire at a telephone switching center destroyed phone service throughout lower Manhattan, the Financial District, and Brooklyn — the worst communications disaster in New York prior to September 11th. In an incredible seven days, H.M. Hughes installed 176 tons of steel completely by hand, rebuilt a structural concrete floor, and laid new tile so telephone equipment could be immediately installed to end the emergency
16 Hours
176 Tons
7 Days
- Executive Leader · President
The Three Pillars of H.M. Hughes
Forged during the economic challenges of our earliest decades, these three fundamental principles guide every estimator, project superintendent, and executive decision.
Truth
Tell the truth as we see it, to ourselves and to our clients. We help our clients formulate clear, actionable plans to meet their goals by taking advantage of real opportunities honestly presented without inflated promises.
trust
Trust in the H.M. Hughes commitment to excellence. We cultivate deep trust with our team, trade unions, and clients, enabling decisive, confident project execution through every phase of construction.
Teamwork
Teamwork among ourselves and with our clients harnesses all collective experience into a shared framework where architects, engineers, and owners understand the exact actions needed to achieve their vision.
Specialists in Sensitive & Active Environments
Unlike standard construction, our core strength is building within fully operational healthcare centers, high-security financial institutions, live universities, and mission-critical telecommunications hubs with zero disruption.
High Bonding & Safety Ratings
Negative air pressure containment, HEPA particulate barriers, and hospital-grade sanitization protocols for active clinical wings.
Zero-Downtime Infrastructure Coordination
Meticulous scheduling of heavy mechanical tie-ins, electrical cutovers, and structural reinforcements during off-peak hours.
Exemplary Field Safety Standards
Every jobsite is managed by dedicated OSHA-certified superintendents, backed by an exemplary safety rating and zero OSHA violations.
- Active Site Precision
- Specialized Infection & Noise Control