Former Attorney Donald Donnalson Rebuilds Greater Boston Housing Through Minority-Owned Contracting Firm
Donald Donnalson once swore off the construction trades after spending childhood summers assisting his stepfather on job sites. Today, the former attorney leads Beantown Builders, Inc., a minority-owned firm focused on multifamily conversions and community-centered redevelopment across eastern Massachusetts.
When Donald Donnalson was young, he spent his summer vacations helping his stepfather with contracting tasks. At the time, he disliked the labor intensely and pledged never to make a living in the trade, according to reporting by the Bay State Banner.
He charted an academic and professional course away from construction, completing his education at Boston College and Northeastern University Law School. Donnalson went on to practice law for several years. Later, while working as a finance manager for Audi Natick, his stepfather asked him for assistance on contracting projects once again. That adult return to the trades rekindled his passion and shifted his career path permanently, the Bay State Banner reported.
Driven by the desire to build his own venture, Donnalson left his automotive finance job and liquidated his retirement savings to start from scratch. He launched Beantown Builders, Inc. in 2011 without an existing project in hand, choosing to take an immediate risk on his own capabilities.
Today, Beantown Builders operates as a certified Minority Business Enterprise that tackles housing shortages across Greater Boston and eastern Massachusetts. The company concentrates its portfolio on the redevelopment of underutilized sites, multifamily residential conversions, and accessory dwelling units. Donnalson noted that existing properties offer a vital pathway to expand regional housing availability without relying entirely on ground-up developments.
Donnalson explained to the Bay State Banner that operating as a minority-owned contractor in the region helps bridge representation gaps while challenging lingering consumer skepticism toward contractors. His firm emphasizes structured operational systems and workforce development to take on increasingly complicated residential jobs.
Beantown Builders serves a clientele composed of individual homeowners, local families, and real estate investors. Company Marketing Director Alicia Zuniga noted that their overarching approach centers on the human impact of each build, recognizing that major construction choices directly affect client livelihoods and aspirations.
Beyond private residential work, the firm has also contributed to community spaces. Beantown Builders recently collaborated with the nonprofit organization The Guild and landscape architects from Landworks Studio to construct an urban forest project. The initiative converted a hillside into an accessible public green space featuring footpaths, masonry, and permeable paving designed for neighborhood gatherings.
The firm's work extends geographically from Lynn in the north down to Fall River and North Attleboro in the south. According to Donnalson, recruiting and retaining skilled talent remains one of the business's main day-to-day challenges as it continues expanding its footprint.