The Best Hotel and Hospitality Contractors in Chicago, Illinois

Last updated on November 13th, 2024 at 07:21 am

When you’re looking to build a hotel, seeking the help of an outstanding hotel and hospitality specialty contractor dramatically increases the venture’s chances for success and growth. This list highlights the top 13 general contractors that build hotel and hospitality edifices in and around Chicago. These firms are capable of any kind of work, including building the architecturally aesthetic facades that make the Chicago skyline so distinctive and gutting down to skeletal works and providing major renovations. 

In addition to the quality of the projects these firms produce, our team thoroughly weighed the ranking of these builders by examining a number of factors. Criteria included work history, client satisfaction, and awards or press recognition. Whether you’re a businessman planning to build a luxurious hotel or a proprietor looking to venture into the tourism industry, there’s a contractor on this list for you.

If you are thinking about starting a hotel and hospitality project, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.

Weis Builders 

8420 W Bryn Mawr Ave. Suite #1010, Chicago, IL 60631

With over 11,000 rooms renovated and constructed for top names in the hotel and hospitality market, Weis Builders is undeniably a leading general commercial contractor in Chicago.  Weis Builders opened its doors in 1939 as a cabinet shop in Minnesota. Today, it is a third-generation builder that has expanded its service to markets in Illinois and Texas. 

Working with Weis Builders means working with a goal-driven team, ready to provide each project the service it needs. The firm offers clients a tailored construction service including pre-construction, site analysis, construction, design/build, and general contracting services. Weis Builders’ excellence in hospitality construction is reflected through the projects it has built for names like Marriott, Hilton, and InterContinental Hotels Group.

Power Construction 

8750 W Bryn Mawr Ave. Suite #500, Chicago, IL 60631

Power Construction has built over 20 new hotels and countless hotel renovations totaling to 8,000 guest rooms in Chicago since 1980. The Chicago-based firm is providing construction services exclusively within northern Illinois markets. Throughout its 93-year reign in the Illinois construction industry, Power has had the privilege to work with some of the most prominent names in the hospitality industry including Hyatt, Viceroy, Renaissance, and Palmer House. 

Jefferson Hotel is a dual-brand hotel sitting in Jefferson, Chicago standing at 24-stories high. Power Construction had the chance to work on this LEED Silver certified project for a repeat client. More than the structural elements of the hotel, Power Construction carefully mapped out its urban location where it will attract more traffic.

Leopardo 

210 N Carpenter St. Suite #300, Chicago, IL 60607

From a small family business in 1977 to a nationally-acclaimed general contractor, Leopardo has worked with Fortune 100 companies as well as constructing high-end hotel and hospitality projects. Because of its impressive work portfolio, it has been named as one of the 2018 Top Contractors in America by the Engineering News-Record and the Building Design + Construction. 

Leopardo, in collaboration with Solomon Cordwell Buenz Architects, provided Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel with renovation and addition services to the 5,000-square-foot lobby and 3,000-square-foot porte cochere respectively. Distinct features of the Loews hotel includes a new reception desk backed by a custom fabricated metal wall, a stone and cable sculptural wall, living moss walls, and a large media display. The hotel remained operational while the whole interior renovation took place.

McHugh 

1737 S Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60616

McHugh is one of Chicago’s most accomplished commercial contractors. The firm is engaged in seven of Chicago’s ten tallest buildings, supported over $1.1 billion of green construction in the past five years, and 80% of its projects were LEED certified. Additionally, McHugh is a fourth-generation, family-owned company serving Chicago since 1897. 

McHugh is an active member of associations including the Chicagoland Associated General Contractors, American Concrete Institute, and the US Green Building Council (USGBC).

McHugh had the privilege to work with Studio Gang for the Vista Tower in Chicago. The 1,200-foot tall tower is the third tallest tower in Chicago, as well as the tallest structure in the world designed by a woman. The tower is made up of 95-stories of glass and concrete which houses the 5-star Wanda Vista Hotel. The building’s unique, complicated structure is a marvelous sight on the city skyline.

Summit Design + Build 

1032 W Fulton Market, Suite #300, Chicago, IL 60607

When Adam Miller established Summit Design + Build, he wanted to create a workplace where people would love to come to work every day. This is why he gathered people who are as dedicated as he is. Today, the firm is quickly becoming one of Chicago’s leading industry providers of hospitality construction. 

This US Green Building Council member also builds structures that are sustainable and durable. These green efforts have been recognized with the USGBC Building Innovation Award, the USGBC Illinois Building Innovation Award, and the Association of Licensed Architects Silver Medal Design Award.

Summit Design + Build renovated the Claridge House Hotel in Chicago. The rebranding of the 59,350-square-foot hotel included 165 guest rooms, bar, and restaurant updates, as well as amenity spaces featuring custom millwork with high-end finishes. Summit Design + Build is also the firm behind notable hotels such as the Swissotel Chicago and the Westin River North.

Skender 

1330 W Fulton Market, Suite #200, Chicago, IL 60607

Working with Skender means working with industry experts who bring years of experience to deliver projects complete with industry advancements. Since Mark Skender joined the team in 1989, he has been playing a significant role in the development of the company. His efforts to create a better process of construction have resulted in Skender being an industry-leading firm. Skender is also one of the first general contractors to offer clients steel modular service as well as fully integrated design, manufacturing and construction capabilities. 

What’s better than lean, is SkenderLean,™ Skender’s way of improving lean construction by incorporating its tailored individual construction/projects. These kinds of innovations keep Skender working with the best construction companies in Illinois. In fact, Fast Company named the firm as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies in 2019.

As a part of the Sterling Bay development, Skender built the 14-story Hyatt House hotel. Skender collaborated with Eckenhoff Saunders Architects for this 167,000-square-foot project. 

Pepper Construction 

643 N Orleans St., Chicago, IL 60654

1927 was a year of great things: Babe Ruth’s 60 home runs, the first soundtrack in a movie, and Stanley Pepper established Pepper Construction. One of the oldest firms on this list, the firm is a recognized name in construction among Chicago’s most beautiful hotels and restaurants. The firm ensures a project’s success through its handpicked professionals offering LEED-accredited and Construction Quality Management-based advice.

Marriott International blurred the line between style and affordability with its boutique hotel, Moxy hotel. Pepper Construction built the eight-story, 60,000-square-foot hotel located in the River Hood area. The new attraction serves both as a hotel and a restaurant. The guest rooms are located on the third to the eighth floor. The ground and second levels include a bar that doubles as check-in desk. The restaurant can be accessed both from inside the hotel and via a walk-up window. 

W.E. O’Neil 

1245 W Washington Blvd., Chicago, IL 60607

W.E. O’Neil is a Chicago-based construction company founded in 1925. The firm’s award-winning hospitality projects are rooted in its skilled team of professionals collaborating to make each project successful. W.E. O’Neil is a recognized industry leader with operations in Illinois, California, Arizona, Colorado, and Tennessee.

One of W.E. O’Neil’s prominent hospitality projects is the LondonHouse Hotel in downtown Chicago. W.E. O’Neil provided new construction of a 22-story tower and the renovation of the adjacent 21-story Beaux-Arts historic landmark office. The extensive project included the replacement of mechanical, electrical, and HVAC systems. The 317,000-square-foot luxury hotel is comprised of 452 guest rooms, meeting, and board rooms, and a two-level rooftop bar and terrace. W.E. O’Neil is also the name behind successful hotel projects like Hotel Julian, The Roanoke, and the Residence Inn by Marriott.

Walsh Group 

929 W Adams St., Chicago, IL 60607

With more than 120 years of construction experience, Walsh Group has expanded its service to over 16 branches inside and outside of the US. The fourth-generation company was named by the Engineering News-Record as the 13th largest contractor in the US. This growth is reflected in the scope of the markets it delivers to, especially in the hospitality industry.

Despite its impressive size, the company practices a number of rites often associated with smaller, more intimate firms. The company traditionally places Miraculous Medals in a project’s first concrete pour. This ritual symbolizes the practices that will allow craftspeople to complete a project safely.

Walsh Group constructed the new Hotel Zachary in the heart of Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. Hotel Zachary offers guests an authentic taste of Chicago’s north side. The hotel houses retail and restaurant businesses that are locally available and home-grown in Chicago. Moving to the hotel’s structure, Walsh Group took inspiration from local Wrigley Field, blending classic and modern aesthetics.

Berglund 

8410 S South Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60617

Berglund is a family-run company focused on solving real-time construction problems through its innovation and operational excellence. Third-generation leader Fred Berglund has decades of experience in the construction industry. His roots in Illinois and Indiana helped him penetrate and then thrive in the business in both states. An impressive selection of hotel and hospitality renovation/construction projects can be found in the firm’s portfolio.

Serving as Evanston’s historical landmark since the late 1800s, the Victorian residence turned Tudor Revival, was transformed into the Stone Terrace Bed and Breakfast. The construction included the restoration of the existing 12,000-square-foot historic residence. Although the home’s exterior serves as a landmark, this did not hinder Berglund from preserving its historical integrity both inside and out. This mesmerizing project won Berglund the City of Evanston Preservation and Design Margery B. Award.

Bulley & Andrews 

1755 W Armitage Ave., Chicago, IL 60622

Founded in 1891, family-owned and operated, Bulley & Andrews (B&A) is one of the region’s most accomplished construction firms. B&A is committed to applying its professional services to projects that improve lives and grow organizations in measurable and meaningful ways.

Rooted in the simplicity of a time when construction practices relied on horses, ropes, and pulleys, Bulley & Andrews keeps its ties to tradition while staying at the vanguard of innovation and best practices in the field of construction. The firm is well-recognized for its sophisticated approach to construction which leverages technology and a solution-driven mindset to deliver projects that exceed expectations. Representing a diverse portfolio of clients, the firm is responsible for building and restoring distinctive structures, as well as countless properties that define and serve their respective owners.

One of the firm’s notable projects is the redevelopment of the 225,000-square-foot Chicago Athletic Association. Left vacant for seven years, the building has been brought back to life as a new 241-room boutique hotel. The hotel features 17,000 square feet of event space, game room, retail shops, and restaurants, including a rooftop bar with views of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park. The building has been widely recognized with awards including the AIA Chicago Interior Architecture Award, AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award, Boutique Design Magazine’s Gold Key Award, James Beard Award, Urban Land Institute Chicago Vision Award, Chicago Commercial Real Estate Award, and more.

Norcon, Inc. 

661 W Ohio St., Chicago, IL 60654

Seasoned builders Jeff Jozwiak and Charles Norwesh founded Norcon, Inc. in 1999. The firm has come a long way from its humble beginnings, with over 65 staff today, and leading the industry in innovation. As a member of the Society of Environmentally Responsible Facilities and the US Green Building Council, the firm uses the sustainable and economical materials that earned it a LEED certification.

The Renaissance Hotel third floor terrace and bar is a show-stopper. Norcon’s team envisioned a space where guests can marvel at the city’s skyscrapers both indoors and outdoors. The firm collaborated with Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture for this particular project. 

Clark Construction 

216 S Jefferson St. Suite #502, Chicago, IL 60661

A leader in structural development since 1906, Clark Construction has seen a multitude of innovations and smart solutions when it comes to commercial build-outs. These developments are happily practiced by its team in its hotel and hospitality construction and renovation. They provide excellent service in Illinois, California, Maryland, Colorado, and Virginia

Clark Construction is an accomplished firm, not only with awards but also when it comes to project legacies. Serving numerous markets with various demands have made Clark’s team adapt to flexible designs with the same intensity of quality work. The Hyatt Regency McCormick Place is one of Clark’s landmark projects. A total of 270,000 square feet of construction and additional renovations were completed. It received a LEED Gold certification as well as the 2018 BD+C Builg Team Platinum Award.

How can I find a contractor near me?

Read our latest articles on the best contractors in and near Chicago. If you don’t see your project type below, just let us know – we are happy to create a tailored recommendation list just for you.

General Contractors in Illinois

About Our Rankings

This list takes a range of ranking criteria into consideration, including but not limited to: work history, customer satisfaction, awards and recognition, geographic area of work, cost, building permits, and clientele. We spent over 40 hours researching local contractors before calculating the final ranking for this post. If there is additional information about your business that could affect these rankings, please fill out this form and we will take it into consideration

Get Bids For Your Build

If you are thinking about improving an office space, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.