Chicago is a world-class city with culture, restaurants with Michelin stars, a Central Business District that is the best in the world, and historic areas. It is better than New York, has more history than Los Angeles, and has a lot of shops, restaurants, and fun things to do. In Chicago, there are many jobs for people who want to work for a big company in an even bigger business.
This article lists seven of the best commercial contractors in Chicago, Illinois, to help clients with their unique design and construction needs. The impressive firms on this list were chosen because they have been around for a long time, have great technical skills, have won awards for their designs, and have impressive collections.
Development Solutions, Inc.
121 N. Jefferson, 1st Flr, Chicago, IL 60661
Development Solutions, Inc. (DSI) is a general construction firm that has served Illinois and its neighboring areas with exceptional projects and extensive services. Since its inception in 1992, the firm has consistently delivered countless projects on schedule, within budget, and of the highest quality possible. Its impressive portfolio is a testament to this fact, which features a diverse range of projects for office, industrial, retail, education, banking, and health care facilities. Over the years, the firm has remained committed to its core values of integrity, honesty, quality, and professionalism. It takes an integrated and personalized approach to manage each project, taking the time to look from the client’s point of view, understand their vision, and turn it into a reality. Today, DSI has a great name and steady growth, with 80% of its business coming from repeat and referred clients.
One of the firm’s notable projects is the Industrious, located in one of Chicago’s well-known buildings, the Accenture Tower. The project was finished in two stages and covered 84,000 square feet on the 9th and 10th floors. The office has elegant millwork, wall finishes, lighting, and a stairwell connecting the floors. Some amenities include meeting rooms, lounges, private offices, and multipurpose rooms with custom drywall walls and glass fronts.
Helios Construction Services
2324 West Fulton St., Chicago, IL 60612
Helios Construction Services has been in the industry since 2008, helping clients with their unique construction needs. The firm offers a one-stop-shop solution for its clients, handling everything from commercial general contracting to construction management. No matter the project’s size, scope, and complexity, the firm utilizes the best people, methods, and technology to ensure each project is high-quality and cost-effective. Its focus on communication, collaboration, and solid relationships allows it to work closely with its clients and create customized solutions that offer the best value possible. Its team of quick, open, and flexible decision-makers always looks for creative ways to improve the process and ensure a smooth project delivery. Over the years, the firm has completed many projects in the U.S., such as retail, hospitality, mixed-use, multifamily, office, industrial, and education.
One Tail at a Time is an animal rescue group in Chicago that helps pet families and animal organizations that need more money. Helios was hired to remodel a room already used to board dogs into the new One Tail at a Time Ellis Veterinary Clinic. The fully staffed veterinary center lowers the cost of care for animals taken in by the rescue and shortens the time they have to stay. The project’s scope included replacing all piping, electrical wires, and HVAC equipment, and putting in new woodwork and cabinets all over the building.
The Missner Group
1700 West Higgins Rd., Suite 400, Des Plaines, IL 60018
Since its inception in 1945, The Missner Group has offered complete real estate development, construction, and asset management services for clients across the Midwest. With 75 years in the industry, the firm has established an impressive portfolio that showcases its ability to guarantee satisfaction and exceed expectations. Its present and past projects show the firm’s commitment to excellence, quality, and professionalism. The firm’s designers, builders, and project managers offer technical skills and know-how to deliver unique solutions and successful projects in various industries, such as laboratory, hospitality, multifamily residential, retail, fitness centers, government, education, industrial, office, and restaurants. As a result, the firm has earned a long list of satisfied clients.
The Missner Group built this 32,000-square-foot brick building to meet the strict security standards of the banking business. The property was built so that it could be used by a single user as a bank on the first floor and offices on the upper floors, or various users could use it as an office and banking center. With a carefully planned floor plan that includes high-tech vaults and safety deposit boxes, the interior of the building was made to be as productive and efficient as possible.
International Contractors Inc.
1 Mid America Plaza, 7th Flr, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
International Contractors (ICI) was founded in 1982 to deliver high-quality projects with a personalized and collaborative approach. With 40 years of experience, the firm has solidified its reputation as a reliable contractor with its impressive portfolio and solid track record. It offers a big company’s capabilities while maintaining a small hands-on approach. It prioritizes frequent communication and close collaboration to ensure high-quality craftsmanship, smooth project delivery, and a stress-free, enjoyable experience. ICI is a company built on long-term relationships with clients and building partners. Over the years, the firm has earned many satisfied clients who testify to its quality and professionalism.
In the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, ICI completed the gut renovation of an existing 14,000-square-foot service and parts building and constructed a new 7,000-square-foot showroom and office building in just five months. The project’s scope included new underground plumbing systems, slab-on-grade concrete, non-load-bearing masonry walls, new mechanical and electrical systems, roof deck insulation, overhead doors, and vitrified ceramic tile.
W.E. O’Neil
1245 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago, IL 60607
Founded in 1925, W.E. O’Neil Construction has worked on many projects across Chicago and its neighboring areas. Since then, the firm has become one of the most well-known general builders in the city, with its exceptional portfolio and long list of satisfied clients. The firm has strived for continuous learning and improvement to perfect its processes and ensure successful results. The firm’s team of experts offers high-quality craftsmanship, creative design-build techniques, and cost-efficient solutions, regardless of the project’s size, scope, or complexity. Over the years, the firm has served clients in a way that prioritizes building great relationships to go above and beyond what they expect. Its single-source solution allows it to deliver high-quality projects on schedule and within budget with meticulous management and a close eye on every detail.
Block 37 is a whole city block in the middle of downtown Chicago. The firm was tasked to develop the site and build 1,250,000 square feet of mixed-use buildings. These buildings included a four-story shopping podium with 400,000 square feet of space above grade and a four-story transportation center and parking structure with 340,000 square feet below grade.
Executive Construction
425 South Financial Place, Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60605
Executive Construction is a general construction firm whose work is based on a strong set of business values. Since its inception in 1974, the firm has solidified its reputation as an industry leader with exceptional projects. Its streamlined processes and tried-and-true methodologies are based on a strong sense of ethics, a clear process, operational excellence, and teams that work together and are committed to shared success. The firm prioritizes communication and collaboration in every project it undertakes, to ensure each meets its client’s needs and exceeds their expectations. It focuses on building solid relationships with its clients, guiding them throughout the process, and equipping them with the right knowledge to make sound decisions.
Over the past 40 years, the firm has become a trusted partner to nationally known architects and engineers, making unique places for many clients and Fortune 500 companies. This 310,000-sf office consolidation includes four floors with a branded reception area, client-facing spaces, private and open-office spaces, a Grand Hall, meeting rooms, a full kitchen, servery, cafeteria, and a connecting stair. The amenities include a game room, library, exercise center, and outdoor terrace.
Keeley Construction
4518 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago, IL 60641
Keeley Construction has worked in Chicago and nearby areas for over 45 years. Since its inception in 1978, the firm has worked with various customers and markets, such as office, business, industrial, warehouse, food service, education, and LEED projects. The firm’s impressive portfolio and solid track record of great projects have earned it a reputation as a go-to builder. The Keeley Team works hard to understand each client’s unique vision, offer customized solutions, and turn them into a reality. The firm’s integrated and personalized approach allows it to deliver high-quality projects on schedule and within budget, exceeding client expectations. Keeley sees the connection between the company and clients as a true partnership that benefits both sides. It delivers excellent performance and unbeatable customer service that meets and exceeds needed standards in every part of the job.
One of the firm’s notable projects is the 179,000-square-foot Kuehne & Nagel building in Prologis Park O’Hare. It has office space of 27,000 square feet and a warehouse room of 152,000 square feet. There are 152 desks, 22 private offices, conference rooms, and open meeting rooms in the office area.
