Builders unite: Gilbane buys Dan Keating's firm

Dan Keating, a scion of one of Philadelphia's oldest builder families, says he has sold Keating Consulting L.L.C. to Rhode Island-based Gilbane Construction Co. and is joining that six-generation family enterprise, which has 30 offices across the U.S. Terms were not disclosed.

"We are eager to leverage" Keating's relationships and deep roots in the mid-Atlantic area to help cope with a growing backlog of projects and manage growth, Gilbane Building Co. chief executive Michael E. McKelvy said in a statement.

"It's a golden relationship. I've known them 40 years," Keating said from his office in Philadelphia's Phoenix building, the old Insurance Co. of North America tower his former firm redeveloped as condos and the Tir na nOg bar atop Suburban Station.

Keating sold his former Keating Building Corp. to Tutor Perini Corp. of Los Angeles in 2009, and left Tutor Perini to start Keating Consulting two years later. Another branch of the family runs Main Line-based Daniel J. Keating Co.

Keating, his son Michael, and 10 other Keating Consulting people are making the switch to Gilbane. "Our primary role will be to work with them, creating building opportunities locally, regionally, and nationally," Keating said.

Recent Keating clients include hotel developments in Philadelphia and Hoboken and casinos in Washington State and Mississippi. "We will look to support [Gilbane's] network in meds and eds and corporate projects,"cooperating with Gilbane's Philadelphia chief, Shawn Carlin, and other Gilbane executives.