Chicago, a major global financial hub, consistently ranks as the second-largest U.S. central business district. It is more economical when compared to other large urban areas, costing 39% and 52% less than San Francisco and New York City, respectively. Many people are deciding to move to this metropolis due to its excellent employment prospects and lower prices, along with its vibrant city life and numerous attractions for the whole family.
Both newcomers and residents alike can build or renovate their homes, as well as expand or establish their businesses, with the help of this list of the top construction firms in Chicago, Illinois. These companies were chosen because they have demonstrated adaptability, have significantly contributed to the city’s growth, are well-known leaders with exceptional credentials, and have achieved remarkable accomplishments.
Orren Pickell Building Group
740 W Fulton St. #601, Chicago, IL 60661
Orren Pickell Building Group develops homes across Chicago, Southern Wisconsin, and Harbor County in Michigan. It has been in the industry for almost five decades and is renowned for its outstanding service and craftsmanship. The firm employs a team of professionals who have extensive expertise in cabinetry, home maintenance, design, and construction. This team offers clients a single point of contact, managing every stage of the construction process itself.
Orren Pickell Building Group has received several Crystal, Platinum, and Gold Key awards from the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago (HBAGC) for various home projects that it has completed across the city. One of the firm’s stellar projects is this 1,500-square-foot condo in Fullerton Market, which received a much-needed refurbishment from the Pickell team. The client’s brief list of demands included installing new fixtures and finishes throughout, moving the laundry room from the hallway to a more private space, and installing a walk-in shower in the master bathroom in place of the tub. The team accomplished every item on the checklist and more. Once the area was renovated, sleek components and thoughtful designs that fit the homeowner’s lifestyle were also added to give the space a unique and sophisticated feel.
BGD&C
875 N. Michigan Ave. Ste. 1 314, Chicago, IL 60611
BGD&C is renowned for building remarkable homes in Chicago’s Lincoln Park and Gold Coast areas. Architecture, engineering, design-build, general contracting, and the construction of custom homes are the firm’s areas of expertise. Charles Grode and Rodger Owen, the company’s founders, used their skills to simplify the challenging home construction process, leading them to develop a more affordable option without compromising design or quality. The firm’s homes have been acknowledged by HBAGC and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), who present the company with numerous honors for home construction and design each year.
These awards reflect the fact that numerous exquisitely crafted homes are in BGD&C’s portfolio. One such home is this 12,000-square-foot residence in Lincoln Park, which was designed and constructed by the firm. Its interior has a transitional style, while its outside has a French architectural style, featuring a distinctive limestone facade, a slate roof, and rounded dormer windows. Its C-shaped layout creates a light well on the south side. Overlooking the main stair on the structure’s north side, there is also a huge stained-glass skylight letting light in. Many floor-to-ceiling windows in the house also contribute to creating an organic, tranquil, airy, and open family home, which was one of the homeowners’ central goals.
Integro Builders
5312 S Cornell Ave. Chicago, IL 60615
Integro Builders, previously known as Integro Rehab, builds custom residential homes and improves commercial interiors across the Chicagoland area and Western Michigan. The firm strives to improve people’s perceptions towards contractors, create and develop skilled tradespeople, and enhance industry standards. It consistently upholds its guiding principles: transparency, honesty, and partnership. With these pillars at the heart of its work, the firm’s team ensures that each project under their care is accurately scoped, cost-effective, and professionally executed.
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Allyson Case Anderson founded the firm in 2013 and currently serves as the CEO. She’s an advisor for the Urban Land Institute (ULI), the executive vice president of NARI, an American Institute of Architects (AIA) affiliate member, and a certified passive house builder. Known as one of the leaders in the industry, she was recognized in Pro Remodeler Magazine’s Forty under 40 as well as Remodeling Magazine’s Top 50 Remodelers in America. She has also been featured in Home and Garden Television (HGTV) and was a guest co-host for Mighty House Radio.
123 Remodeling
5070 N Kimberly Ave. Unit C, Chicago, IL 60630
General contracting firm 123 Remodeling has been offering construction and renovation services for over 14 years. Due to its dependability and expertise, it has become one of the most reputable companies among residents of Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and the Chicagoland area. The firm adopts a design-build methodology to effectively accomplish both functional and artistic quality, all while staying within budget and schedule constraints. Its staff of licensed designers and architects are experts with decades of experience who can complete projects with the highest standards.
This Lincoln Park property was recently updated with sophisticated finishes and an upscale design to better fit the client’s tastes. The 123 Remodeling team created unique built-ins, including the living area’s fireplace—the space’s main focal point—in order to draw visitors’ attention as they approach the house. The basement of the home was converted into a cinema theater with a custom dry bar, modern lighting, and a gallery wall emitting flair and elegance.
LaMantia Design & Remodeling
20 E. Ogden Ave. Hinsdale, Chicago, IL 60521
Chicago-based LaMantia Design & Remodeling was founded by Tony LaMantia to provide design and remodeling expertise to residents of Chicagoland and its surrounding areas. It has developed and proactively kept up with the rapidly changing industry since its founding in 1973. Despite its expanding network, the firm continues to uphold its reputation as a client-focused business that concentrates on understanding homeowners’ unique objectives. The firm’s team of highly qualified and licensed specialists also shares these service-oriented perspectives, which has helped the firm earn multiple national and regional Contractor of the Year (CotY) awards.
For this master bathroom renovation in Chicago, two full-height walls had to be removed to widen the space and give it a more open appearance. The renovated space features custom cabinets and panels stained in espresso, a limestone counter and tub deck, and LED under-cabinet lighting that gives the cabinets the illusion of floating while producing a warm glow. The bathroom also features polished travertine floor tiles that flawlessly complement the stacked stone wall and splash tiles. Clearly, the LaMantia team succeeded in designing a tranquil area with a unique personality.
Bulley & Andrews
1755 West Armitage Ave. Chicago, IL 60622
Bulley & Andrews is known across the globe for its expertise in new construction, renovation, concrete and masonry construction, design-build, and historical restoration services. The firm has developed numerous complex builds for various industries, including corporate, education, recreation, healthcare, retail, hospitality, multifamily, mixed-use, and industrial. With over 131 years of experience, the firm has cemented its name in the industry, maintaining a reputation as a well-coordinated firm that provides clients with a solution-driven approach that responds to the client’s building needs, regardless of scope.
One of the city’s architectural landmarks—and a prime example of Venetian Gothic design—is the Chicago Athletic Association building. For more than seven years, it sat empty. To preserve this important Chicago landmark, Bulley & Andrews collaborated with the designers from Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture to renovate the space. The renovation successfully transformed the 225,000-square-foot structure into a 241-room boutique hotel. The new hotel features retail stores, restaurants, a rooftop bar with views of Millennium Park, and an event space measuring more than 17,000 square feet.
UJAMAA Construction
7744 S Stony Is Ave. Chicago, IL 60649
Since its inception in 2002, UJAMAA Construction has worked on over 1,000 projects that have developed and rebuilt communities across the Midwest and Southeastern region. In addition to general contracting, the firm specializes in sustainable design-build, construction management, historical renovation, value engineering, community engagement, and program management, catering to a wide range of sectors. The firm is led and managed by founder Jimmy Akintonde, who was recently named by CRAIN’s Chicago Business as a Notable Executive of Color in Construction and Commercial Real Estate. Akintonde was previously Chair of the Builders’ Association and the Illinois Chapter of the Association of General Contractors (AGC).
Two apartment buildings were constructed in a collaborative project between UJAMAA Construction and McShane Construction Company. The buildings are next to one another, with lovely scenery and parking spaces. Both buildings have four floors and 42 units, with vinyl windows and brick veneer siding covering the exterior. The construction cost $26.5 million and was finished in 14 months. With the completion of this project, residents of the historic Bronzeville neighborhood could move into or stay in this affordable housing building.
Pepper Construction Group
643 North Orleans St. Chicago, IL 60654
Pepper Construction Group offers a full range of construction services: general contracting, construction management, environmental technologies, high performance and sustainability, lean construction, MEP coordination, quality management, safety management, and virtual design. Since 1927, it has provided services to the non-residential, business, and public sectors. The firm’s team of devoted client-serving professionals is led by Stan and Scot Pepper. Under their leadership, the firm’s team focuses on not just creating structures for clients, but also solidifying bonds that will result in an exceptional working environment. The team’s dedication has consistently placed the firm within Building Design + Construction’s Top Construction Firms for every sector.
The firm collaborated with Solomon Cordwell Buenz architects and Perkins + Will interior designers to construct this new 43,000-square-foot Starbucks Reserve Roastery. The new space has five floors, with each floor featuring unique elements to provide guests with a different experience. These include a roof terrace, bakery, coffee shop, experiential coffee bar, and five stories of Arriviamo cocktail bars. The curving escalator—the first of its kind in the Midwest—is one of the most distinctive characteristics of the new space.
Berglund Construction
8410 S. South Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL 60617
Berglund Construction has 111 years of experience serving the country in the construction industry. It is a fourth-generation family-owned and operated building restoration firm that is particularly skilled in rehabilitating and preserving historic buildings. The firm is also known for its exceptional ability to conduct cutting-edge renovations of medical facilities and to construct architecturally significant campuses. It has more than 350 employees that are hands-on and actively collaborate with clients to develop their needs and vision. The Berglund team constantly strives to set new standards for quality, innovation, and craftsmanship. By achieving multiple preservation awards, as well as boasting excellence in building and masonry, the firm was included in a list of the Top 400 Contractors in the U.S.
Berglund managed the historic preservation of the Sullivan Center, one of Chicago’s most famous and significant architectural structures. Nine buildings make up the 1 million square foot complex. In the first and main portion of Berglund’s restoration, the original 12-story building in the complex, which was designed by Louis Sullivan, underwent extensive cast iron storefront restoration. Three other buildings in the complex—the Haskell, Barker, and Atwater Buildings—were subject to the second scope of work, which involved historical restoration. This difficult project demonstrates the firm’s capability to carry out detailed, challenging initiatives involving historical preservation that need careful coordination and extensive use of resources, expertise, and skills.
Novak Construction Company
3423 N. Drake Ave. Chicago, IL 60618
In its construction work, Novak Construction Company uses a collaborative approach to exceed expectations while achieving all job requirements. Since its founding in 1980, the firm has focused on its Diamond principles: clients, colleagues, commitment, and community. With these pillars at the core of its work, the Novak team utilizes its unmatched skills and knowledge on each project it completes. Under the guidance of founder and president John G. Novak, the team produces impressive projects for the retail, office, healthcare, restaurant, multifamily, mixed-use, civic, and industrial markets. Numerous awards are a testament to the firm’s success, including an Audrey Nelson Community Development Award and a Design Excellence Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Chicago.
The company, which works in over 30 states, worked on more than 90 Whole Foods Market projects across Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, and Florida. It was also behind the main Whole Foods store in Lakeview, a neighborhood in Chicago. This shop is the biggest ground-up Whole Foods in the Midwest, with three stories and 78,000 square feet. Novak first constructed the building’s shell for the developer, and was then rehired to finish the interior build-out. The development features a full-service wine bar, a well-known tavern, a communal park space on the residential side of the building, and a living, three-sided garden wall that recycles rainwater collected from the roof. There is also a covered underground and surface parking area that can fit a total of 295 cars.
