History

Our story began in 1986 with John Rusk, a bag of tools and a focus on building well. A third generation builder, John traces his lineage to John Ruskin, the 19th century philosopher and critic who wrote: “When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for.”

Rusk grew slowly but always aimed for the highest quality and best customer experience. Both efforts got a real boost when John’s wife, Mary Kocy, signed on in 2004. Herself a fourth-generation builder, Mary allowed the company to focus even more on process, training and building a culture of continuous improvement. The resulting Best Practices Manual created in 2006 evolved over four years into the Quality Control Checklists we have used ever since.

In 2006 John began teaching a Master’s Degree Program in Construction Administration at Columbia, which has become a New York nexus for conversations about High End Residential building. It regularly draws noted architects like Lawless and Mangione, Ethelind Coblin and Elliot Glass; competitors; building managers from addresses like the Beresford and the Plaza; as well as international architects like Kees van der Sande of London’s Formation Architecture.

Columbia has also become the training ground for many of Rusk’s managers, with 10 former students and teaching assistants working at Rusk over the years. Within the company itself, Rusk introduced Mechanical Seminars in 2017—three days of intensive training in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Electric, Low Voltage, Shades, Control Systems, Shades, Plumbing, Gas and Sprinklers. Rusk has earned an international reputation, winning International Property Awards and establishing relationships with architects, designers and owner’s representatives from Europe and South America. The esteemed Franklin Report recognizes Rusk as one of the top four residential builders in New York City.