Matt Coticchio, President, Interstruct Design + Build

July 2026 — Interstruct Design + Build is celebrating its 25th anniversary and 15th in the Tampa Bay market with steady growth, strategic expansion, and a sharpened focus on sustainability and community investment. President Matt Coticchio talked to Invest: about how the company stabilized after years of industry volatility, diversified across sectors, and strengthened its design-build-develop model to meet rising demand in Tampa Bay and beyond. “We’ve streamlined our design-build process in a way that brings transparency, collaboration and efficiency to projects, and that approach has really propelled our growth,” he said.

How has the past year impacted Interstruct’s operations and how did the company respond to those changes?

The past year represented a welcomed plateau after several years of volatility. Following COVID, the industry faced significant challenges securing materials and keeping up with price fluctuations. Those pressures have finally stabilized, which has allowed us to plan more effectively and deliver more predictable outcomes for clients. We also strengthened our position by diversifying. When the office market slowed, we leaned further into medical, industrial, and dental projects. That agility has been vital. The past few years brought everything from tariffs to supply shortages, but we worked through those disruptions and emerged more adaptable than before.

What projects best showcase Interstruct’s growth and mission in the Tampa Bay region?

We’ve completed several milestone projects that reflect who we are as a firm. One signature example is the new Ocean Prime restaurant in Sarasota, a 9,500-square-foot, two-story waterfront project for Cameron Mitchell Restaurants. It has already received multiple awards and represents the high level of detail and collaboration we bring to hospitality work. We also delivered MarineMax’s 40,000 square foot headquarters in Oldsmar and Kforce’s 22,200 square foot headquarters in Midtown Tampa. Another notable effort was converting four former big-box retail stores into 65,000 square foot Rasmussen College campuses. Most recently, we completed CBRE’s Tampa headquarters next to the Armature Works development, which was a significant milestone for us.

How has your experience as a LEED‑accredited professional influenced Interstruct’s approach to sustainability?

When I first became a LEED Accredited Professional, sustainability came with a steep price tag. Fifteen years ago, achieving LEED Certified or Silver often required spending an additional 20–25% on materials and documentation. Today, sustainability is largely integrated into standard design practices. Most projects already incorporate healthier materials, efficient systems, and environmentally responsible approaches without added premium. This shift has made high‑performance, sustainable spaces much more accessible.

What sustainability or technology‑driven trends are having the biggest impact on your work?

Mechanical and electrical systems have seen some of the most meaningful advancements. There’s a stronger push for improved air quality, increased fresh air intake, and more zoned AC systems that allow for better comfort and energy efficiency. Offices now incorporate more glass to maximize natural light, and lighting systems are more flexible and easier on the eyes. Material choices have also shifted, with clean drywall, low‑VOC paints and adhesives, and reclaimed materials becoming more common. Waste separation is now standard in our process, allowing materials to be recycled instead of going to landfills.

What are the most significant challenges you’re seeing in construction today, and how are you addressing them?

Although Tampa has been insulated from some national headwinds, the region still experienced sharp increases in construction costs, which pushed rental rates higher and boosted tenant improvement (TI) allowances. Costs have since stabilized, which is encouraging. Another challenge is securing strong subcontractors. Our solution is to maintain a tight, reliable network of partners who prioritize our projects. The permitting process has also become more difficult, with reviews that once took a month now taking several. Florida’s third‑party provider legislation has helped significantly, allowing us to bypass most municipal review steps and streamline the process for clients.

How are you approaching recruitment and retention in a highly competitive construction labor market?

Much of our recruitment happens organically through word of mouth, employee referrals and industry relationships. My hiring approach differs from the traditional emphasis on candidates with long construction résumés. I focus on talent. Construction can be taught, but strong intuition, drive, and problem‑solving ability are harder to instill. I look for people with those inherent strengths. Retention has been a major success for us. In 15 years, we’ve only lost one employee. That’s the result of building comprehensive, competitive compensation packages that go far beyond salary and vacation time, including expanded vacation allowances, family health benefits, 401(k) matches, bonus structures, and a principalship‑type program that allows employees to share in company revenue.

How would you describe Tampa Bay’s commercial construction and real estate landscape, and where does Interstruct fit into that picture?

Tampa Bay is experiencing tremendous development. Water Street and Midtown Tampa have been major catalysts, and Interstruct has been active in both environments, particularly in tenant interiors, facades, and retail and restaurant build‑outs. We also contributed to the infrastructure supporting Sparkman Wharf and Water Street’s retail components. Office rents have risen from about $30 per square foot five years ago to $50–$60 today, which has increased TI allowances and enabled higher‑quality build‑outs. The region’s expanding infrastructure needs are creating opportunities for firms across the construction ecosystem.

How does community engagement fit into Interstruct’s mission, and what initiatives are you most proud of?

Community engagement is built into our mission statement. We’re active in NAIOP, CREW, BOMA and other organizations that support local charities and improve quality of life in Tampa Bay. We also support efforts such as Ending 68 Days of Hunger. Our community commitment extends to our own real estate as well. We own and develop our buildings in Tampa and Orlando, incorporating sustainable design throughout. Our Orlando office is a net‑zero, solar‑powered building that operates independently from the grid, reflecting our belief in leading by example.

As Interstruct celebrates its 15th anniversary, what are your key priorities for the near term?

We want to continue growing intentionally by attracting and retaining top talent and reinforcing our culture. We recently opened offices in Sarasota and Charlotte, expanding our regional footprint. A major focus is advancing our design‑build‑develop model, which brings architecture, construction, and development together from day one. This integrated approach has propelled our growth, and we plan to continue refining it, expanding it into new markets, and leading with a culture rooted in sustainability, collaboration, and community investment.