Building White Gables II, LLC: Conversations with Jeff Sims
When Jeff Sims, Project Manager, joined the White Gables 2 project in Spring 2021, he stepped into a legacy almost two decades in the making. The seeds of the project were planted in 2005, when LF and Susan Payne purchased Kenwood—one of four Reinhart Road houses—and collaborated with architect Bethany Puopolo and Martin Horn on a successful Art Deco restoration. That early partnership laid the foundation for the trust and ambition that would shape White Gables 2.
The Early Days: Laying the Groundwork
As Project Lead and Manager, Jeff was brought in early to support value engineering and refine scheduling. "A project has a greater chance of success when operations is brought in early," Jeff reflects. And success certainly followed: Jeff and the team have met with LF every week for the past four years—a testament to the strong collaboration and commitment from both sides.
Tackling the Toughest Challenge
Among the many complexities of constructing three separate buildings, one issue loomed large: the electrical switch gear for Pavilion VI. Ordered in December 2022 and expected by February 2024, the equipment faced major delays due to the war in Ukraine. The gear’s housing was produced in a UL-certified factory in Ukraine, then shipped to Mexico for final assembly. When it didn’t arrive on time, the team had to intervene.
“Jon Mannix was instrumental in getting it stateside,” Jeff said. “He was the bad cop to my good cop.” Despite their best efforts, the delay pushed the project back by a month—but their ability to adapt and persevere ensured everything else stayed on track.
Superintendents in Sync: A Story of Adaptability
Leadership transitions across the superintendents were another pivotal storyline. Calvin led construction on the first building with Nate Eaton assisting. The plan was for Calvin to move on to Building Two while Nate handled finishing touches on Building One. But four months before the first building wrapped, Calvin accepted a new job. Steve stepped in, shadowing Calvin for two weeks—but then Steve, too, left, moving back to Pennsylvania just before Building Two’s completion.
At that point, the team turned to the dependable Nate. “He’s really been the glue that has held the project together,” Jeff remarked. Nate ultimately oversaw the third building as superintendent, stepping into leadership with quiet confidence and unwavering commitment.
Maintaining Strong Community Relationships
Constructing a $42 million project with 42 individual condo owners—each with distinct tastes, preferences, and timelines—is no small feat. Jeff credits communication as the cornerstone of his strategy. “After four years, they are more than owners—they are friends and acquaintances,” he shared.
The team meticulously maintained a book and spreadsheet cataloging every detail: paint colors, fixture finishes, and trim notes for every room in every unit. Thanks to having 85% of the same subcontractors across all buildings, the project maintained a rare sense of continuity that helped foster trust and consistency among stakeholders.
Watching Leadership Emerge
One of Jeff’s proudest moments was watching Nate Eaton grow into his role as superintendent. “He has really come out of his shell during these projects,” Jeff said. “He’s smart, he keeps so much information in his head, and he’s incredibly thorough with his schedules and daily reports. I can't say enough about Nate.”
Nate's leadership became crucial, especially during transitions between superintendents. His quiet confidence and organizational rigor helped keep the entire team aligned through multiple phases of construction.
Celebrating Unsung Heroes
Behind every successful project are the craftspeople who make it happen day after day. Jeff was quick to recognize several key contributors:
Chester Morris, lead carpenter and foreman, stood out as the go-to guy—known among owners as “Mr. Fix-It” and “Mr. Can-Do-It-All.” His reliability and deep knowledge made him indispensable.
Others like Danny, J Bird, Jeff, Richard, KB, and Noah also earned praise for their unwavering commitment, having been on-site for nearly the entire duration of the project. “They’ve all been stellar,” Jeff affirmed.
One Word for the Team?
When asked to describe the White Gables team in a single word, Jeff didn’t hesitate: “Time-consuming.” The word captures the enormity of the task—balancing personalized requests, tracking customizations, and staying connected with owners 24/7.
“It’s been one of the most challenging projects, just from tracking all the details and owner wants. Every unit is different,” Jeff said. “It’s been exhausting, time-consuming, and incredibly rewarding.”
The Secret to Success
At the heart of that success was a collaborative and supportive ownership team. Jeff pointed to LF, the project’s principal owner, as a model partner: “He is pleasant, communicative when you need him, and lets us work.”
Jeff also praised the extended team:
Grigg Architects for their thoughtful design,
Clark Gathright for their calm willingness to resolve issues is refreshing
Kelly for interior design excellence,
Lindsay the realtor, for seamlessly supporting coordination.
“It really was a great team,” Jeff concluded.