Paul Matt, chairman of MATT Construction, a general contracting firm in Newport Beach, Calif., he cofounded in 1991, died peacefully on June 30 at the age of 85. He had been battling non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Under his leadership, MATT Construction has been involved in the building of numerous projects that have become recognizable landmarks in and around Los Angeles. These include The Petersen Automotive Museum, the Broad Contemporary Art Museum, Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands, the Skirball Cultural Center, and the restorations of the Wilshire Boulevard Temple the Hollywood Bowl.
“All of us at MATT take great solace that he lived to see his dream fully realized: building a company of great builders and great people. We will proudly carry on his legacy,” says Steve Matt, Paul Matt’s son and CEO of MATT Construction. Steve Matt is one of three children who survive their father, along with Paul Matt’s second wife Cathy, four brothers, one sister, and 11 grandchildren.
Having earned a structural engineering degree from Oregon Institute of Technology, Matt began his career in construction working as a welder on the Dalles Dam in Oregon. He later became a surveyor for the George A. Fuller Company, and in 1962 was promoted to project superintendent on the construction of the Salk Institute in San Diego, designed by architect Louis Kahn.
Paul Matt at his desk as a project superintendent in the 1960s for George A. Fuller Company. Image: Courtesy MATT Construction.
Prior to launching MATT Construction with his son Steve and brother Alan, Paul Matt was a senior executive and board member with the general contracting firm C.L. Peck.
Matt lived to see his company expand to 250 employees and more than $500 million in annual revenue. His career encompassed more than 450 buildings.
“Twenty years ago when I began working at MATT, I was trying to understand what my role would be,” recalls Marvin Wheat, MATT Construction’s president. “Paul told me ‘You can contribute to growing the company in any way you like as long as you’re not worried about who gets the credit.’ Paul always showed me how powerful it is to be a selfless team player.”
Paul Matt (left), with brother Alan and son Steve. They cofounded MATT Construction in 1991. Image: MATT Construction.
Related Stories
Giants 400 | Oct 3, 2019
Top 10 Convention Center Sector Construction Firms for 2019
Lendlease, Turner, Clark, and Webcor top the rankings of the nation's largest convention center sector contractors and construction management firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Oct 3, 2019
Top 65 Cultural Sector Construction Firms for 2019
Whiting-Turner, Turner, PCL, Clark Group, and Gilbane top the rankings of the nation's largest cultural facility sector contractors and construction management firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Oct 3, 2019
2019 Cultural Facility Giants Report: New libraries are all about community
The future of libraries is less about being quiet and more about hands-on learning and face-to-face interactions. This and more cultural sector trends from BD+C's 2019 Giants 300 Report.
3D Printing | Sep 17, 2019
Additive manufacturing goes mainstream in the industrial sector
More manufacturers now include this production process in their factories.
Codes and Standards | Sep 12, 2019
Illinois law sets maximum retainage on private projects
The change is expected to give contractors bigger checks earlier in project timeline.
Multifamily Housing | Sep 12, 2019
Meet the masters of offsite construction
Prescient combines 5D software, clever engineering, and advanced robotics to create prefabricated assemblies for apartment buildings and student housing.
Giants 400 | Sep 11, 2019
Top 95 Industrial Sector Contractors for 2019
Fluor, Clayco, Jacobs, ARCO, and Gray Construction top the rankings of the nation's largest industrial sector contractors and construction management firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.
Multifamily Housing | Sep 10, 2019
Carbon-neutral apartment building sets the pace for scalable affordable housing
Project Open has no carbon footprint, but the six-story, solar-powered building is already leaving its imprint on Salt Lake City’s multifamily landscape.
Giants 400 | Sep 9, 2019
2019 Industrial Sector Giants Report: Managing last mile delivery
This and more industrial building sector trends from Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.
Codes and Standards | Sep 9, 2019
Free app calculates maximum allowable heights and areas for buildings
A free app that calculates the maximum allowable heights and areas for buildings of various occupancy classifications and types of construction has been released.