Retail/Hospitality
Boston – Construction Management and Builders, Inc. (CM&B) has completed construction of Cactus Club Cafe's first U.S. location, marking a significant milestone for the Canadian restaurant group as it enters the American market.
The new Back Bay restaurant transforms a prominent corner of 500 Boylston Street into a year-round dining destination. The project involved a comprehensive interior renovation and a premium kitchen buildout featuring complete stainless-steel and ceramic tile finishes—extending across all walls to support best-in-class durability and sanitation. Behind the scenes, CM&B installed approximately 250 linear feet of refrigeration lines through the lower-level parking garage to the loading dock, ensuring efficiency despite significant logistical challenges. Existing parking spaces were repurposed to accommodate grease traps, and protective measures were implemented to ensure safety and functionality. One of the project's most significant elements was the creation of a new four-season patio structure.
“Working with CM&B on this landmark project has been a true partnership,” said Andrew Latchford, president of Cactus Club Cafe. “From day one, their team demonstrated an ability to tackle complex challenges with transparency, creativity, and collaboration. The level of communication and trust we built throughout this process was invaluable, and it gave us confidence that our vision would be realized exactly as intended. This experience has strengthened our relationship, and we’re excited about the opportunities to continue working together on future projects.”
CM&B reinforced under-slab steel, removed aging exterior pavers, and reinstated waterproofing membranes, insulation, and concrete slabs before installing the finished tile surface. The enclosed patio was then constructed with structural steel framing, a translucent roof, and operable window partitions engineered to meet the Boston Planning and Development Agency's building and snow-load requirements. The completed space supports both indoor and outdoor bars, expanding year-round dining options for guests.
“We’re proud to have partnered with Cactus Club Cafe, Bergmeyer, BLW Engineers, Jeffrey Beers International, and Stys Hospitality to bring their first U.S. location to life in Boston’s Back Bay,” said Jeremy Pollender, senior vice president at CM&B. “This project reflects the vision and dedication of an incredible team, and we’re thrilled to have played a role in creating such a dynamic dining destination. We look forward to continuing this partnership and building on the success of this milestone.”
A sweeping curved ceiling and dramatic feature wall anchor the space, while custom statement lighting casts a warm glow throughout. Spanning more than 9,500sf, the open floor plan is designed to accommodate over 325 guests across a lounge, a refined dining room, an enclosed year-round patio, and a seasonal patio. The extensive, bespoke architectural millwork package—signature Jeffrey Beers craftsmanship—delivers a richly layered, high-end finish to every corner.
To ensure comfort for the tenants above, CM&B installed a sound-rated acoustical ceiling system above the curved KMDI faux-beam assembly, blending performance with design. The bar and private dining areas include custom lighting elements, including intricate fixtures with individually hand-blown glass bulbs. The space is decorated with seven commissioned works from Boston artist Giovanni DeCunto, including an expansive ceiling mural on the all-season patio.
Michael Pandolfi, AIA, NCARB, partner at Jeffrey Beers International, said, “Working with CM&B was a seamless experience from start to finish. Their attention to detail ensured the finished restaurant looked exactly as the original renderings showed. The precision and care they brought to every phase of construction truly brought the vision to life, and we look forward to partnering with them again.”