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March 2026

Boston – Kaplan Construction announced it has completed the fit-out of a new dance studio for Jean Appolon Expressions( JAE) in Roxbury.

The 3,000sf space is located on the ground floor of 2147 Washington Street, a 6-story mixed-use development constructed by Kaplan in 2025. Supported by the Barr Foundation, the City of Boston, the Cultural Facilities Fund of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, DREAM

JAE Dance Studio / Photos by Gregg Shupe

Collaborative, the Klarman Family Foundation, New Atlantic Development, the Shlomo Fund, the Yawkey Foundation, and numerous others, the JAE Dance Center establishes a permanent home for the Haitian folkloric and contemporaryinfused dance organization as it expands its operations and presence in Boston. Kaplan Construction served as general contractor on the project.

The new studio features a large open

At the ribbon cutting( l-r): Daniel Koff, project manager for Jean Appolon Expressions; Jane Kaplan Peck, COO of Kaplan Construction; Jacqueline Maloney, project manager for Kaplan Construction; Jean Appolon, founder of Jean Appolon Expressions; Meghan McGrath, executive director of Jean Appolon Expressions; Erick Martinez, superintendent for Kaplan Construction; and Nathan Peck, president of Kaplan Construction / Photo by Jonathan Pitts-Wiley

dance area with acoustical wall and ceiling panels, a theatrical ceiling grid for future lighting and AV equipment, a sprung dance floor, mirror wall, and a black box theatrical curtain system with a 40-foot projection surface. The sprung flooring system utilizes a Harlequin product with shock-dampening, singledensity elastomer pads, supporting dancer health and performance. Additional spaces include an entry vestibule, an office for JAE staff, storage, and a fourstall bathroom with a shower stall.

Because the studio is located beneath residential units, acoustical separation from the base building was a critical construction consideration. The ceiling assembly received particular focus and was designed to achieve a high STC rating, limiting sound transmission from classes and rehearsals. Kaplan coordinated closely with the design team throughout construction, conducting multiple inprogress reviews to ensure penetration details were executed correctly.

“ Starting from the earliest planning conversations, Kaplan was an engaged and responsive partner,” said Dan Koff, project manager at Jean Appolon Expressions.“ Their prior experience constructing the base building with the same design team brought valuable familiarity to the project. Kaplan carefully addressed the technical details that mattered most to enhance sound and operations, delivering a studio that will not just be tailor made for the organization’ s existing programs, but has the technical infrastructure to grow and evolve based on its artistic imagination.”

Located in the heart of Nubian Square, the JAE Dance Center is envisioned as a cultural anchor for the Roxbury neighborhood, hosting dance classes, exhibitions, and art events for residents and the broader Boston community. The project was marked with a ribbon cutting on Jan. 27, featuring remarks from JAE leadership and City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune, along with local and state cultural leaders. The celebration also included live drumming and performances by JAE artists and dancers.

The project team members also included DREAM Collaborative, architect; RSE Associates, structural engineer; Norian Siani Engineering, MEP / FP engineer; Meridian Associates, Inc., civil engineer; and Cavanaugh Tocci, audiovisual and acoustics engineer.

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