Condominiums are increasingly becoming the housing of choice of the future for many major cities. With increasing population and a shrinking land supply, developers and homeowners alike opt to build multiple ownable residences in a single lot, and usually upwards through mid- and high-rise towers.
Such an arrangement, however, does not preclude the homeowners from customizing their respective units, especially the interiors, as a way of personalizing their spaces. Chicago, as the birthplace of the modern skyscraper, has been at the forefront of this trend, made possible by contractors who specialize in interior remodel and design. This articles lists the top 15 condominium remodel and interior contractors in Chicago.
URB Chicago Home Remodeling Contractors
4751 W Touhy Ave, Suite 101, Lincolnwood, IL 60712
URB Chicago Home Remodeling Contractors is a remodeling contracting firm based in Lincolnwood, IL, operating in the West and South Sides of Chicago and nearby suburbs. The company specializes in kitchen, bathroom, and interior remodels for single homes, condominiums and residential high-rises. The firm is the remodeling arm of URB, Inc., a full service real estate investment and development company specializing in redeveloping foreclosed and demnified residential properties. URB was formed in 1986 by President Brian Urbanowski.
URB was responsible for remodeling a condominium unit in North Lake Shore Drive. For the project, the firm renovated the bath and the kitchen, installed new hardwood flooring for the kitchen and bedroom, and repainted the entire home.
Braun Renovation Management
800 Custer Ave, Suite 2, Evanston, IL 60202
Based in Evanston, Braun Renovation Management is a Chicago-serving general contractor that specializes in customized home renovation and remodeling, as well as additions, new construction, and multi-family projects.
Principal Josh Braun established the firm in 2007 with “the goal of providing the highest quality construction services for individual homeowners, business/commercial property owners and condominium associations”. Braun brings with him 20 years of experience in the real estate business and a hands-on approach to every project. Braun recently renovated the entire interior of a 3-story, 6-unit condominium in West Wrightwood Avenue. In addition to renovations on the existing baths and kitchens, additional baths were designed and built.
Artane Construction
1342 W 31st Pl, Suite C, Chicago, IL 60608
Artane Construction is a Chicago-based full-service designer-builder established in 2001 by Principals Simon and Rachel McCormac. The firm specializes in single family and condominium home remodels and commercial build-outs. They find pride on their “service, communication, availability and, most of all, accountability.” Simon McCormac serves as the on-site project manager, while Rachel McCormac is the designer and point person for procurement. Both apply a hands-on approach in doing business.
A condominium unit in North Pine Grove Avenue recently had a full interior renovation, complete with a renewed kitchen, bath, and living-dining area, as well as new hardwood floors, paint and lighting. Artane takes pride in this particular project for only taking four weeks to complete.
Archway Home Remodeling
1962 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
Owner Scott Lieberman founded Chicago-based Archway Home Remodeling in 1989. Lieberman’s work started as a hobby in his college days, renovating condos and houses in his spare time. From there, he worked for a Chicago remodeling company for sometime, until he decided to venture on his own. Today, Lieberman and Archway specialize in all types of remodel, both exterior and interior, for single-family and condominium homes.
Within the firm’s neighborhood in Lincoln Park, and just across from the Lincoln Park Zoo, Archway remodeled a 2-bed, 2-bathroom condominium unit. The project covered the kitchen, both bathrooms and both bedrooms. The kitchen was given new cabinetry, countertops, hardware, appliances and lighting. The bathrooms were thoroughly remodeled, and both bedrooms received new carpet flooring. Additional storage space were also made for the master bedroom.
Areté Renovators
3821 W Montrose Ave, Chicago IL 60618
Areté Renovators, Inc. is Chicago-based family-owned remodeling contractor specializing in residential interiors, particularly kitchens and baths. Since its founding in 2001, the firm has built a portfolio consisting of more than 1000 projects ranging from countertop installation to whole-home renovation. Areté has a sister company called Renovators Outlet, a kitchen and bathroom showroom and design center for residential and commercial clients located in West Montrose Avenue.
Areté conducted a full condo remodel of a unit on North Canal Street. The renovation included bathroom and kitchen upgrades, hardwood floor refinishing, and whole home repaint. It also gave the property new marsh maple autumn cabinetry with yellow wall cabinets and frosted glass doors, single bowl stainless steel undermount sink, grohe polished chrome fixtures in the kitchen and bathrooms, 12×24 tile flooring in the foyer, and barn doors.
Remodeling Experts of Chicago
3406 N Bosworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
Remodeling Experts of Chicago is a Chicago-based general contractor specializing in kitchen, bathroom, and condominium home improvement services. Owner Jim Heaney formed the company in 1983, and has been serving Chicago’s neighborhoods ever since. The firm provides full remodeling services, from beautifully crafted kitchens, to tailored bathrooms and rich millwork. In addition to remodeling, Heaney is real estate agent, bringing his expertise in the field into remodeling projects, especially those for homes destined for sale. The firm is a Better Business Bureau-accredited company.
Remodeling Experts renovated a unit in North Lake Shore Drive quite extensively. Work done in the unit included partial partition wall demolition, and upgrades to the kitchen and bathroom.
Homewise Remodelers
2841 N Pulaski Rd, Unit CN, Chicago IL 60641
Homewise Remodelers is a home improvement company in Chicago specializing in remodeling kitchens, bathrooms, basements,attics, and condos and apartments, as well as building room additions. The firm was established by President Mirek Klosowski in 1999, and has since aimed at delivering premium service and results at reasonable prices. Homewise has an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, and is an accredited business by the same agency.
Homewise was responsible for remodeling a downtown Chicago condominium on East Chestnut Street. The unit was thoroughly remodeled, including the flooring, the kitchen and the bathroom.
Catalyst Construction and Remodeling
2000 W Carroll Ave, Chicago, IL 60612
Catalyst Construction and Remodeling is a full-service Chicago general contractor with over 50 years of combined experience in renovation and remodeling. President Eric Udelhoven started the company in 2003 after having a bad experience from a contractor who was tasked with a renovation for a condo association in which Udelhoven served as president. The firm has grown into a veritable company, being one of the only 4 NARI Member & Certified Remodeler in the entire city of Chicago, and having received an A+ rating and consecutive Complaint Free Awards from the BBB since 2008.
In a third-floor unit in Catalpa Avenue, Catalyst led an interior upgrade of the kitchen and bathroom. Meanwhile, a full remodel was completed in West Fulton Market.
Dynasty Innovations
520 W Erie St, Chicago, IL 60642
Based in 3 offices in Chicago, Dynasty Innovations is a an A+ Better Business Bureau-rated design-build remodeler established in 1991. Combining the team’s 100 years of experience, the firm proudly continues to deliver luxury designs, quality construction, and most importantly, client satisfaction. Such a reputation is further bolstered by their membership in both NKBA and NARI, as well as their certification as a EPA Lead Safe Contractor.
The firm took on a full condo renovation in downtown Chicago. The kitchen and bathrooms were upgraded with new plumbing and fixtures. New hardwood flooring was placed from the living/dining room, into the kitchen, to one of two guest bedrooms. The other guest bedroom and the master’s have new brown carpeting. Each of the three bathrooms were customized, from wood and white paint walls for one of the guest bathrooms, to the intricate black patterned tile walls for the master bath.
Centaur Interiors
215 W Huron St, Suite 1, Chicago, IL 60654
In 2007, Principal Michael Miller founded Centaur Interiors (CI), a boutique design-build remodeling firm that specializes in “turn-key bespoke solutions for residential interior renovation.” The firm has since transformed many a residential space in a variety of styles and trends, from traditional to modern. Centaur Interiors has established a collaborative environment and network of industry experts; craftsmen, licensed tradesmen, architects, designers and project managers, working in harmony to produce superior results. With a commitment to innovation, precise execution, extraordinary design and superior customer service, CI is able to be a transformative force in the Chicago residential remodel industry. The firm and its works has been featured in a number of publications, such as Luxe, Interiors, and Crain’s.
Chicago Magazine featured CI’s work on a three-bedroom condo unit currently owned by United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz. CI transformed an Old World-inspired abode formerly owned by Oprah Winfrey to a modern day art deco masterpiece. Custom details include stone counter profile, casings, wood doors, marble fireplace, and wall-covering patterns at the entry and powder room. Art is a central theme in the build, thus the integrated lighting and finishes that highlight and incorporate the artworks curated exclusively to the home.
M5 Chicago
2001 N Halsted St, Suite 301, Chicago, IL 60614
M5 Chicago is a Chicago-based designer-builder formed 30 years ago in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. From its start as a contractor exclusively working on for-sale residences in the local neighborhood, the firm now offers design-build, new construction, renovation and remodeling services to both residential and commercial clients in the Chicago area. Chicago Magazine and Voyage Chicago have featured M5’s works.
M5 Chicago remodeled a 16th floor condominium unit in Chicago. The kitchen was given new black stone and wood countertops, white cabinets, and modern appliances and fixtures. Dark hardwood flooring was installed in the living, dining and kitchen areas. A pair of glass barn doors separates the study room from the rest of the residence. In the bathroom, meanwhile, blue wall tiles and dark grey floor tiles give contrast to the otherwise white features.
Leader Builders
6327 Dempster St, Morton Grove, IL 60053
Leader Builders is a general contractor based in Morton Grove and specializing in architectural home additions and renovations. The firm services Chicago, the North Shore, and the Northwest Suburbs. President Pete Antonow formed the company in 1988. Leader Builders is an EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm, and its works has been featured Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, and Trends.
Featured in Chicago Tribune was Leader Builders’ work on a condominium in a high-rise in downtown Chicago. The project took two phases: the first covered most of the unit, while the second, coming in about a year later, covered the master suite. The entire project is characterized by “high design” as exemplified by the customized stone work, cabinetry, millwork and various types of glass products, as well as the use of creative partitioning and usage of multitude of lighting arrangements.
123 Remodeling
5070 N Kimberly Ave, Chicago, IL 60630
Currently led by General Manager Sharone Lavi, 123 Remodeling is a home remodeling and renovation contracting company based in Chicago. The firm offers services in kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, and basement remodeling, as well as tuck pointing, masonry, roofing, and other general contracting services. The Celebration Media Talk of the Town Customer Satisfaction Award, and the Better Business Bureau Complaint Free Awards are among 123 Remodeling’s many accomplishments.
Thirty-six high-rises and condo projects are featured on the 123 Remodeling website. One of the most thorough was done in a unit on West Delaware Place, which involved theliving room, the kitchen and the bathroom. The kitchen was gutted, and was given new espresso shaker cabinets, white quartz countertops, and a mosaic backsplash. The bathroom meanwhile received aesthetic and hardware upgrades. Finally, the entire condo received new Brazilian pecan flooring.
MAW Chicago
830 W Northwest Hwy, Suite A, Palatine, IL 60067-2377
Based in Palatine, IL, MAW Chicago is an award-winning general contracting and remodeling firm that offers services to both residential and commercial clients throughout the Chicago area. Principals Scott Sevon and Mike Nagel formed the company only in 2008, yet the firm has already bagged a respectable array of awards, including the NAHB Certified Graduate Remodeler of the Year Award. MAW is also a proud accredited member of NAHB, EPA, and NARI.
In East Delaware Place, two condominium units were merged into a single residence. The new space had its drywalls replaced, and its bathrooms refurbished. In another Chicago condo unit, MAW made a complete and thorough remodel, creating a neoclassical residence through the numerous custom features of the space.
Normandy Design Build Remodeling
830 W Northwest Hwy, Suite A, Palatine, IL 60067
Based in Hinsdale, IL, Normandy Design Build Remodeling is a general contracting and design-build firm that specializes in kitchen, bathroom, and home remodel, as well as home additions. Founders Jack Steindl and Reg Marzec established the firm in 1979 with “ the idea of creating a better kind of home remodeling company in the Chicago area.” The firm is currently owned and headed by President Andy Wells, who leads a staff of over 40 designers, architects, project managers and craftsmen. Among its accomplishments, Normandy has won the NARI Contractor of the Year Award and the Qualified Remodeler Magazine Master Design Awards.
As of this writing, Normandy has completed more than 4,000 remodeling projects throughout Chicago. One of these projects is a condo unit in downtown Chicago with spectacular views of the Lake Michigan. The project was done in multiple phases, each one taking advantage of the view. Another notable project was a complete renovation to turn a Chicago condo into a pied-a-terre for a couple. The highlight of this project was the custom cabinetry that maximized the rather limited space of the residence.
