The Murphy Family

Tom C. Murphy, co-president of Coastal Construction, helps lead one of South Florida’s biggest general contracting firms alongside his brother, co-president Sean Murphy.

The family, led by their father, Thomas P. Murphy Jr., focuses on luxury condos and estates, as well as hospitality projects. His father got his contracting license at 19 years old and founded Coastal Construction in 1989. Tom C. Murphy helps oversee day-to-day construction operations, staffing and project execution.

During his and his brother’s tenure, Coastal’s projects have included the iconic Porsche Design Tower in Sunny Isles Beach and the successful Four Seasons Hotel and Residences at the Surf Club in Surfside.

Coastal and its competitors — a roster that includes players such as Suffolk Construction, Moss and Kast — have had to navigate labor shortages and rising construction costs. Coastal has invested millions of dollars into research and development over the past decade to automate processes, create a more sustainable building system and move workers and materials more efficiently.

Coastal has completed more than 50 million square feet of development, including over 60 hotels, more than 18,000 residential units and more than 50 schools. Today, about 10 family members work at the firm.