Avarga Construction’s story begins in a home office in New York City, where founder Hansel J. Gonzalez set out in 2011 to build a company rooted in restoration work. Fifteen years later, that modest starting point has given way to a multi-million-dollar operation working across all five boroughs, with a reputation shaped by consistency, hands-on delivery, and a clear understanding of how buildings endure and, over time, fail.
At its core, the company focuses on the restoration of the city’s built fabric, carrying out waterproofing and façade upkeep on commercial, residential, and landmark structures. The work is practical and immediate, often beginning with the infrastructure required to access it. As Antonio M. Seabra, Executive Vice President at Avarga Construction, puts it, “We hang the scaffolds in the buildings and do the actual work as well.” That dual responsibility, managing both access and execution, reflects an approach that remains closely tied to the realities of the jobsite.
Over time, Avarga Construction has expanded its capabilities to include roofing, façade touch-ups, masonry, sidewalk repair, scaffolding and sidewalk sheds, parking garages, and landmark building restoration. These services are delivered through a Design Build Project Delivery method that brings projects under a single contract and a single point of responsibility. As the team explains, “We simplify the construction process through our Design Build Project Delivery method. This approach means you only need to manage one contract, with a single point of responsibility for the entire project.
“Our management team owns the process, providing cohesive recommendations that align with your schedule and budget.
“Over the years, we’ve found that the Design-Build method consistently outperforms other delivery systems in terms of cost, schedule, and overall construction speed.”
The company’s work is closely tied to New York City’s regulatory environment, particularly the inspection cycles mandated under various Local Laws. Every five years, buildings must be assessed and brought into compliance, creating a recurring need for detailed restoration work. “In New York City, there are Local Laws that require buildings to be inspected on a five-year cycle,” Antonio explains. “Basically, what happens is that it gets bid out, we give them our quote, and of course, we get awarded the project. Then, we get a contract signed, and we do the work. Once the work is complete, then everybody signs off, the building becomes safe, and they don’t have to go through that for another five years.”
That cycle of inspection and restoration has helped shape the company’s philosophy. Each project, regardless of scale or building type, is approached with an emphasis on durability rather than appearance alone. “Whether restoring a landmark façade, a modern residential tower, or a commercial property, we approach every project with the same principle: honor the original workmanship and restore it to last.
“No temporary fixes. No cosmetic patchwork. Just comprehensive restoration that protects both appearance and structure.”
Antonio joined the company 13 years ago as a project manager and now serves as its executive representative, a trajectory that mirrors the company’s own development. “Basically, it’s turned into a multi-million-dollar company at this point. The company has had a lot of success and a lot of clients.
“Our main goal here is to serve our clients with our customer service – that’s what we provide, and that’s what got us here.” His perspective reflects a business that has grown steadily without losing sight of the relationships that underpin its work.
For Antonio, the most significant milestone is not tied to expansion or revenue, but to the consistency of service delivered over time. “I think our best milestone is the service that we give to the client, the repetitive good work, our communication to the client, to the visit, to the building, to the engineers – I think that’s the biggest milestone we have achieved, and that’s why we’re here and have gotten to this point.”
That emphasis on consistency extends to safety, which the company treats as a foundational requirement rather than a secondary consideration. Each team member completes a minimum of 62 hours of certification training, supported by a culture that encourages open communication and proactive risk management. Team members are expected to report potential hazards, ensuring that issues are addressed before they escalate. As the company states, “Safety is paramount in every project we do.” Management prioritizes the well-being of its workforce, clients, and the surrounding community, maintaining environments that meet the highest safety standards.
The results are reflected in the company’s safety record. “Few, if any, restoration companies can boast 0 on-the-job accidents in over 12 years in business. Avarga can.
“We’re one of the few contractors that consistently pass the most vigorous risk assessment evaluations in the field.”
Avarga Construction’s portfolio includes a number of demanding projects across New York City, often involving buildings that had reached unsafe conditions. At 330 Wythe Avenue, the company undertook a full restoration that required extensive brickwork and a coordinated on-site effort. “It was literally coming apart and was completely unsafe,” Antonio recalls. “We were hired by the building; we won the bid number in that manner, and basically, we worked around the entire building simultaneously with a lot of crew, about 18 to 20 people on a daily basis.” The project was ultimately completed successfully, with the building designated safe upon completion.
“We were hired by the building; we won the bid number in that manner, and basically, we worked around the entire building simultaneously with a lot of crew, about 18 to 20 people on a daily basis.”
A similar level of intervention is currently underway at 680 West End Avenue, where falling stonework had created a serious risk to public safety. “There is and was a lot of stones that were falling from the building which could have created deaths if they fell in the street,” Antonio explains. “We secured everything, and we are basically removing all the stones on top of the building and reinstalling all brand-new terracotta stones. Everything is still in the process, besides that, and we also did the entire facade as well.” Now approaching three years in duration, the project reflects the complexity and scale of restoration work in the city’s older buildings.
As Avarga Construction marks its 15th anniversary, its growth has been shaped as much by internal culture as by external demand. For Antonio, the company’s progress is grounded in collaboration. “The key to success for this company has been the fact that we, as a company, all work together. We are a team that communicates; we all work for the same reason. We all have the same projection. It’s more like a family type of thing. We help each other, and everyone is there for each other all the time, and our communication is top of the line.
“I’ve been with this company for 13 years. It’s a great company – the ownership is amazing. They’re more like family, and I’m just happy that I’m here with them to help them make it grow.
“That’s how we’ve gotten here, and it’s the best part of this company.”
Looking ahead, the company’s trajectory shows little sign of slowing. With further growth and expansion already in motion, Avarga Construction is preparing to establish a new entity within the next year and a half, extending its reach beyond its current footprint. “We are expanding and growing even more. Hopefully, in the next year and a half, the company will open up another entity. We are working on a project where the company is going to expand, not only in New Jersey and New York, but also in other states.”
