ABOUT BBL BUILDING COMPANY

Building is in our blood. From our early roots in 1935 to the diverse group of companies today, The Bette Companies story is synonymous with a family history and traditions in the construction industry.

BBLbc was formed as a full-service commercial construction company to specialize in multifamily and light commercial projects. We are focused on meeting the needs of our clients beginning with project inception through to completion and occupancy.

BBL Building Company was founded by Matthew Bette and Peter Bette (founders of Bette & Cring Construction in New York State), and Mark Lear, an active member and leader in Texas’ multifamily industry.

Today, with locations in Texas and Florida, it is the most recent addition to a family of companies that goes back half a century.

Our story is based on several generations working to “Build Value” in our communities

1935
construction tools 1935

The Bette family enters the construction business when Joe Bette starts Bette Builders

1960
Bridge Construction 1960

Mike Bette gets his start in Commercial Construction Industry

1965
Bridge Construction 1965

Mike Bette and Bob Barry relocate to Upstate NY to start a new construction Office in Albany.

1973
Bridge Construction 1973

Mike Bette partners with Bob Barry to form Barry & Bette, Inc. specializing in heavy highway construction.

1980
Family Business

The next generation joins the family construction business as Mike’s sons Matt, Kevin, Peter, Chris, and Mark move up through the ranks at BBL.

1981
Harold Cring

Harold Cring joins BBL and opens an office in Watertown, NY.

1982
BBL Texas opens 1882

Barry & Bette adds a new partner and Barry, Bette, & Led Duke, Inc. is formed (BBL Construction).

1987
1987 Bette Cring Timeline Photo

BBL forms a real estate development division, headed by Kevin Bette, to offer new services.

1988
Tarpon Springs Condos

Matt Bette expands the company opening an office in Ft. Myers, Fl. (BBL Florida) to focus on high-rise, multi-family type projects.

1991
construction history - 1991 Bette Cring expands to Texas under BBL Building Co

Matt Bette expands the company opening an office in Irving, Texas focusing on multi-family construction.

1992
Peter Bette becomes VP

Peter Bette becomes a Vice President of BBL and Division Manager of the Bridge Group

1993
Palmas del Sol I, II, and III views of the entrances with the bay in the background

Matt Bette is named “Contractor of the Year” by the American Subcontractors Association of Southwest Florida.

1998
Bette Cring Construction History - Construction of Anthem Blue Shield

Kevin Bette forms First Columbia, a real estate development and investment firm.

1999
Downtown Albany

Bette & Cring Construction Group is formed as a spin-off of BBL by sons Matt and Peter Bette (Albany, NY Office) and Harold Cring (Watertown, NY Office).

2005
Bette Cring Construction Group Offices

Bette & Cring, First Columbia, BBL Florida and TX BBL relocate their headquarters to Century Hill Plaza in Latham, NY – our present location.

2007
Burrstone Energy Center

Bette & Cring develops, builds, and owns the landmark Burrstone Energy Center, which provides onsite cogenerated power to a neighborhood microgrid serving St. Luke’s Hospital, Utica College, and St. Luke’s Nursing Home, and exports power back to the grid.

2008
Bette & Cring Board of Directors

The Bette Companies forms to unify First Columbia, Bette & Cring, BBL Florida, and Texas BBL as a national diversified construction group.

2009
Cogen Power Technologies Team

As demand for energy alternatives grows, Bette & Cring creates Cogen Power Technologies, a cogeneration and power consulting company.

2010
Bluffview

TX BBL changes its name to BBL Building Company to represent its wider geographic coverage.

Construction worker

A new generation of the Bette family and Cring family join the construction legacy in project management, field supervision, and administrative roles.

2017
Multifamily Project Model

Mark Lear and Ron Rollins assume leadership positions at BBL Building Co. and expand office to Plano, Texas.