Chicago, Illinois is considered the birthplace of modern architecture. Although only standing 10 stories high, the city’s Home Insurance Building, built in 1885, is the world’s first skyscraper. To this day, the city’s streets are lined with beautiful and iconic buildings in a variety of styles and designs. The city is one of the most well-known cities in the world thanks to its flair for experimentation and innovation in architecture.
Anyone looking for a place in this city can find a plethora of builders and designers who can help them accomplish their dreams. Whatever the scale, construction and designing for space requires a lot of thinking, planning, and execution. A good firm can complete a project and move on to the next, but a great firm takes time to understand each project, accompanying each client through every step from the start to completion, and even after the goal is completed. Our editors have found the 10 best construction companies working in Chicago. These firms were chosen for their experience, professionalism, and craftsmanship. Each firm has an exceptional team of experts driven to provide the best quality of service and projects. These firms have a collective experience that goes beyond centuries; each is equipped with the knowledge that can take your idea into reality.
McShane Construction
9500 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 200, Rosemont, IL 60018
McShane Construction has been one of the largest premier design and general contractors in Chicago for over 38 years. For the firm, each project is more than just a building—the firm recognizes its significance for the community it will serve. The firm incorporates new and innovative solutions to ensure the long-term positive impact of the project. As a family-owned company, it treats everyone involved in a project as if they are one of its own. Doing so fosters a sense of community and a comfortable and safe environment for a successful project outcome. The firm fully engages in the project with its design-build services, providing a comprehensive service from the start to finish. The firm is on the 2021 top Southeast and Southwest Contractors lists of Engineering News-Record.
The firm completed the GlenStar O’Hare Office Building located on a 3.5-acre site in Chicago. This 150,000-square-foot multi-story project featured precast concrete construction with ribbon windows on top of a four-foot mat foundation. The first three floors and part of the fourth are parking spaces; the upper floors feature an open floor plan layout for office spaces. The site work includes surface parking, driveways, landscaping, a pond with a glass guardrail, outdoor seating, and a fountain.
Pepper Construction
643 North Orleans Street, Chicago, IL 60654
Pepper Construction believes that the success of each of its projects comes from its clients, its team, and the community it serves. The firm has undergone many changes during its over nine decades in the industry, and it has established a strong work ethic and thorough processes in order to provide high-quality project delivery. The company recognizes the importance of new technologies and aims to make its projects sustainable and high-performing for those who will benefit from them. Through a continuous and collaborative process, the firm builds diverse environments that cater to occupants’ needs.
Just one of the exemplary projects of the firm is the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Chicago; the firm completed the core-and-shell and interior of the project. The Roastery’s centerpiece is a 56-foot steel cask surrounded by a curved escalator. The location showcases the unique blend of architecture, art, culture, and coffee all in one place, with a coffee bar, bakery, cafe, unique roof terrace, and Experiential Coffee and Arriviamo Cocktail Bars. This project won multiple awards and recognitions including selection as the national Best Interior/Tenant Improvement project from the Engineering News-Record and Redevelopment of the Year from the Chicago Real Estate Awards.
Leopardo Companies
120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2150, Chicago, IL 60606
Founded in 1977, Leopardo Companies understands that each project belongs to something bigger. After more than four decades of experience, it has become one of the leading general contractors in Chicago. It continues to grow, embracing new technologies. After previous collaborations with a number of Fortune 100 companies, the firm’s portfolio spans multiple industries. The firm is able to navigate a wide variety of projects thanks to a thorough process and expert hands.
The firm was asked to renovate a restaurant and nightclub for the Tao Group. To maintain the structural integrity of the building, built in the 1980s, the firm created visual plans detailing the phasing and sequencing of shoring, demolition, and steel erection. The project includes a 16-foot tall statue of Quan-Yin within a koi pond, a custom ornamental iron spiral staircase, antique Chinese doors, dragon columns, Buddha miniatures, and over 100 fortune cats known as Manki Neko. The firm was recognized with the Construction Award for this project at the 2019 March of Dimes Construction and Transportation Awards.
Skender Construction
1330 W. Fulton Market, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607
For more than six decades, Skender Construction has been providing high-quality services with its efficient, smooth, and process-driven approach. The premier construction firm believes in the importance of timely delivery. By combining its expertise and establishing a collaborative environment, the firm is able to handle projects in a variety of different markets. Its use of new technologies and processes allows the firm to find the best, most efficient way to execute a project, all while maintaining the project’s sustainability and durability.
The firm was asked to remodel LinkedIn Chicago’s office. The employee-focused project featured an open space layout and provided additional workspaces, conference rooms, and huddle rooms across several floors. It also featured millwork designs and shelving, a folding NanaWall leading into the Gameroom, an acoustic-paneled music room with a stage, and a large connecting stair. The project is certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold.
OHi
106 Garlisch Drive, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
OHi was founded more than a century ago and began as a carpeting service. It has since evolved into a design-build firm with a diverse set of skills to provide services for residential improvement projects as well as commercial interiors. The firm has a showroom and an impressive, dedicated team of in-house experts. Whether clients are looking for a design or have a vision in mind, the firm is able to study and execute each project with meticulous attention to detail. Backed with years of industry experience, the firm is committed to guiding clients through all phases of construction.
The firm was asked to remodel a kitchen in a home in Arlington Heights. With the clients’ passion for cooking, entertaining, and hosting, the firm expanded the kitchen by removing the walls and relocating the powder room. The narrow kitchen became spacious enough for additional counter space. The revamped kitchen featured new cabinets, a white double bowl sink, and two massive islands with quartz countertops. The project won the 2018 National Association of Remodeling Industry (NARI) Excellence Award.
123 Remodeling
5070 N. Kimberly Avenue, Unit C, Chicago, IL 60630
A smooth process of designing and renovating a space is a priority at 123 Remodeling. The firm’s work entails not only making a space more beautiful but also more livable and functional. The company specializes in kitchen, bathroom, condo, and basement remodels and serves Chicago and the surrounding area. As each location presents its own set of challenges, the firm approaches each project individually, studying every aspect of the project. It anticipates and finds the best solution for the space and client preferences.
Thanks to its design-build expertise, the firm pairs each project with the right professionals and resources to help deliver the highest quality of service and project possible. Whether a simple renovation or a complex one, the firm is equipped with more than a decade of experience. The firm’s staff can make any project a reality.
Areté Renovators, Inc.
3821 W. Montrose Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618
Family-owned and operated Areté Renovators is a full-service design-build firm specializing in residential and commercial construction, remodeling, and renovation. During its two decades in the industry, the firm has worked on two thousand projects in the area, with most of these located in downtown’s high rises. With an in-house team of professionals and a premier showroom, the firm offers an in-depth approach to each of its clients. The firm works closely with the client, finding the best design and materials, while also providing efficient and functional solutions for the project.
In 2020, the firm completed a single-family home in Irving Park from the ground up. The project featured two bedrooms and one and a half baths, including a green marble countertop sourced from Ireland. The bathroom was finished with maple wood cabinets and mirrors with LED color-changing lighting. The project featured steel appliances and wooden cabinets and designs. As the firm believes that each design is the extension of the client’s personality and style, the firm embodies the client’s Irish heritage through the touches of green on the kitchen countertops, the furniture, and in the wall paint.
Chi Renovation and Design
4868 W. Dempster Street, Skokie, IL 60077
Chi Renovation and Design understands that trust is an important factor when it comes to building or renovating a home. As a design-build firm, the firm is committed to delivering professional and high-quality service to its clients. The firm has a variety of experience in designs and projects, and it specializes in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and full house renovations. The firm’s design application ranges from modern to traditional to everything in between. Through its strong work ethic and friendly client-centered approach, the firm is able to understand and effectively apply the needs of its clients to projects.
The firm renovated this Chicago kitchen into a sleek, modern one. The project was finished with white paint that compliments the dark navy blue of the island’s cabinets. The hexagonal backsplash style stands out behind the white cabinets, which also includes accent lighting. The project features additional storage and a wine fridge. For its high-quality work and excellent customer service, the firm was featured in Elle Decor and Country Living.
Mfive Chicago
2001 N, Halsted Street, Suite 301, Chicago, IL 60614
Mfive Chicago is a home improvement company that specializes in design-build, kitchen and bathroom renovation, and major home repairs. The firm guides clients through each phase of the design process and approaches each one as a partnership with the client. The firm collaborates with its team to create the best ideas and solutions for each project. As each one has its own distinct style, the firm strives to optimize its experience in order to create an environment that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
The firm provides high-quality services and delivery while also considering cost-effective solutions for clients. It transforms the most basic of designs into a high-quality space for the clients by taking a meticulous approach to each project. The firm was featured in Chicago Magazine and Voyage Chicago.
