Last updated on October 25th, 2024 at 07:10 am
American malls and shopping centers are visited by over 35 million people annually. That one number indicates the astounding impact these indoor shopping districts have on the overall American economy. Malls and shopping centers are built to attract visitors, of course, but also to display the goods and services they house to their best advantage. It takes firms with an impressive array of skills to produce a building that does both effectively.
If you’re looking to build a mall, this list of the top 25 mall contractors in the U.S.- firms with proven track records of high-quality workmanship and strong customer service should make the task of hiring a contractor a bit easier. In creating this list, we took into account each firm’s capabilities in mall construction as well as the years of experience they have in the industry, any awards they have earned, and the media attention that they have received.
If you are thinking about building a mall, 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.
Roers Construction
200 45th St. S, Fargo, ND 58103
With a small trailer and a passion for construction, Jim Roers founded Roers Construction in 1976. Over the decades Jim dedicated his time to expanding the firm’s service from development to construction and property management. The firm ended up designing and building some of the region’s most beloved structures.
Retail is one of the firm’s market specializations. One of its projects is the Time Square East shopping center in Fargo, North Dakota. Roers Construction provided construction, development, and property management for the 65,000-square-foot mixed-use space. The office/retail space is set to house national and local brands like Applebees and AAA.
HC Company
12650 W. Bridger St. Suite #100, Boise, ID 83713
HC Company is an Idaho-based general construction company serving a diverse market, ranging across the retail, education, multi-family, entertainment, and medical industries. Behind the firm’s success is the incomparable leadership of Dan Hayes. As a LEED Accredited Professional, Hayes is responsible for ensuring that the team follows LEED standards to achieve certifications and produce eco-friendly structures. One of its recent achievements is winning Idaho’s 2019 Top Project Award from the Idaho Business Review.
The team works closely with each client to provide an accurate and feasible plan for a smooth construction process. HC Company offers design/build, general construction, and construction management services in all of its markets. For its retail market, the Ten Mile Retail in Meridian D is a must-see. It boasts a sleek and modern design housing different retail brands and restaurants.
Accelerated Construction Services
300 Business Park Dr. Suite #201, Morgantown, WV 26505
Accelerated Construction Services (ACS) is a general contractor serving the Mid-Atlantic region. Serving different regions with different terrain and corresponding construction challenges, the firm has honed its skills in secure construction. Projects are delivered in a professional manner with consideration for budget and deadline. The firm is under the leadership of Michael Allen. His career has evolved along with nationwide construction. Allen’s connection to the tri-state area allows him to work closely with clients and develop close partnerships with developers in the area.
When it comes to construction, ACS maintains an industry-leading safety program. Some of its safety programs include the OSHA 40, CPR Certification, Forklift Training, Equipment Operator Training, Fall Prevention Training, and more. These precautions ensure the safety of the job site, obviously, but also the quality of work being delivered, as you can see in the 55,000-square-foot Park Place 1000 retail center.
Dimeo Construction Company
75 Chapman St., Providence, RI 02905
It all began in 1930 when Joseph Dimeo ran a small construction company. The firm’s steady and secured growth under Dimeo’s care became his stepping stone into being named as one of the Top 100 Construction Managers in the country. Today, the firm is under the attentive leadership of Bradford S. Dimeo, a third-generation Dimeo leader.
Dimeo Construction Company is a Rhode Island-based construction firm extending its expertise in different states in a number of different market sectors, including retail, education, cultural, and healthcare.
In partnership with Simon Property Group and JP2 Architects, Dimeo Construction led the expansion and renovation of the South Shore Plaza mall in Massachusetts. The project consisted of demolishing an existing Macy’s building and replacing it with 148,726 square feet of small retail shops. For the expansion, Dimeo built a 134,340-square-foot lower level shell space and a 148,000-square-foot Nordstrom’s building. Other details include additional parking spaces and interior finishes.
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
300 E Joppa Rd., Baltimore, MD 21286
One hundred and ten years ago, Whiting-Turner was established to provide construction services to various market sectors, including arts, education, retail, industrial, and transportation. Whiting-Turner’s expertise in construction has been repeatedly recognized by Engineering News-Record on its annual top general building contractors list.
Another reason why Whiting-Turner is a go-to in retail construction is its commitment to deliver projects on time and beyond expectations. The Del Amo Fashion Center was completed with only one million hours of total labor. The project, completed in two phases, is the largest retail development on the west coast in the past three years. 3,600 tons of steel were erected by the team and 800,000 square feet of gypsum board were used. Other details of the project include a 600,000-square-foot two-story addition and 30 acres of site improvements.
Roy Anderson Corp
11400 Reichold Rd., Gulfport, MS 39503
In 1955, Roy Anderson Jr. founded Roy Anderson Corp. Throughout the years, the firm not only expand its resources and areas of expertise, but it expanded across market sectors as well. Today the company builds a broad range of spaces, including retail, cultural, and religious structures.
Bayer Properties sought the construction expertise of Roy Anderson Corp for the construction of The Summit in Birmingham, a 367,500-square-foot upscale open-air shopping mall. The construction was laid out in five phases, and each phase included different retail brands and retail shops that make up The Summit.
Safety is one of the firm’s priorities, and the safety awards the firm has won in recent years proved that that priority isn’t just empty rhetoric. The team has won the National Safety Award from the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) as well the National Excellence in Construction award from ABC. It has also won Build Mississippi Awards from the Associated General Contractors.
Choate Construction
2907 Providence Rd. Suite #400, Charlotte, NC 28211
Founded in 1989, Choate Construction Company was a basement start-up, and today employs nearly 450 full-time professionals. Choate Construction is 100% employee-owned. Today he leads the team with a strong work ethic and continues to promote strategies that will further expand the company’s reach and motivate each professional to deliver great projects under the Choate name.
Choate’s retail expertise is highlighted by the construction of the 450,000-SF Charlotte Premium Outlets located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The mall features 95 designer and name-brand stores with nine separate buildings, a food court, and intricate hardscapes and fountains. This project earned Choate the Top Retail Development, Heavy Hitters Commercial Real Estate Award from the Charlotte Business Journal.
Wohlsen Construction
548 Steel Way, Lancaster, PA 17601
Wohlsen Construction, built in 1890, has a wide range of services from senior living to retail fit-outs and facade modification. Its expertise in different market sectors explains its excellent reputation in the construction industry. The firm’s attention to safety and quality is a standard that has only reinforced that reputation.
Wohlsen’s skilled team and their unmatched work have been repeatedly recognized by the ABC, Delaware Contractors Association (DCA), the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County, and other industry associations.
In collaboration with TONO Architects, Wohlsen provided new construction for the 92,000 square feet Hershey Towne Square. The construction includes a series of new one-story buildings for retail tenants, a 300-space parking space, and the renovation of office spaces.
Big-D Construction
404 West 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Big-D’s industry experience spans over five decades of challenges and achievements. Under the intensive management of Jack Livinghood, Big-D Construction became a respected and well-known name in the construction scene. Eventually, the firm was named as one of the nation’s Top 100 Contractors.
Among the firm’s big projects is the Gateway Block A. The project includes 930,000 square feet of a community mall encompassing three blocks. The Boyer Company partnered with Big-D for the construction of the mixed retail and restaurant district. It took Big-D 22 months to complete the project which features 12 movie screens, retail spaces, and Utah’s Clark Planetarium. The mall is situated adjacent to the Vivint Smart Home Arena, home court of the NBA Utah Jazz.
Publications like Utah Business Magazine, The Enterprise, Utah Construction & Design, and Enterprise Business Journal have featured the firm and its premium quality, LEED-certified projects.
McCarthy Building Companies
1341 N Rock Hill Rd., St. Louis, MO 63124
McCarthy offers more than a century of world-class construction in the U.S., across a multitude of markets including aviation, education, entertainment, and research. Over 150 years of solid background and expertise in construction fuels McCarthy into building projects that will benefit people and their communities. With offices in a number of different states in the U.S., McCarthy has a firm understanding of the unique demands of each site being developed.
Some of McCarthy’s projects include retail build-outs like malls, shopping centers, and other facilities like laboratories, university campuses, and government offices. In 2018 the firm received over ten awards, including the Award of Excellence, the Excellence in Construction Award, and the Engineering News-Record’s Project of the Year.
One of its retail projects includes the Westfield Valley Fair Expansion in San Jose, California. It involves 650,000 square feet of new retail spaces for brands like Apple, Bloomingdales, and more. McCarthy provided the new structural steelwork on the exterior as well as the parking structure and podium for the site development.
EMJ Corporation
2034 Hamilton Place Blvd. Suite #400, Chattanooga, TN 37421
Established in 1968, EMJ Corporation is one of the leading commercial builders in the country. With comprehensive knowledge and exposure to commercial construction, president Jim Sattler made the expansion and diversity of its scope of work possible. Its works have reached 47 states in various sectors. The firm aims to ensure every project’s success, building on a work ethic of trust and grit.
The firm is consistently listed on Engineering News-Record’s annual Top 400 Contractors and was awarded a Design Award from the International Council of Shopping Centers. These recognitions are a lifetime testimony to the firm’s capabilities and how they are reflected in all of its projects both big and small.
The firm demonstrated its building prowess in the thorough demolition of the Palm Beach Mall and the development of the new Palm Beach Outlets & Marketplace. There were two phases of construction that EMJ Corporation completed. The first phase included the demolition of the existing 1.4 million-square-foot mall where the development would take place. Corresponding underground utilities were updated. The second phase focused on the construction of an outdoor marketplace with retail tenants.
KBE Building Corporation
76 Batterson Park Rd., Farmington, CT 06034
Michael Kolakowski, Eric Brown, and Simon Etzel are the people behind KBE Building Corporation. Kolakowski serves as the firm’s president and is responsible for implementing company policies and making sure that every aspect of construction goes smoothly. Under his leadership, the firm has grown into one of the leading commercial contractors in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
KBE’s retail projects range from small-scale to large-scale projects, including the renovation of the Stamford Town Center Mall in Stamford, CT. The project included the addition of an outdoor plaza featuring seven new restaurants and retail stores. Inside the mall, KBE constructed a Disney® and Looney Tunes®-themed child play area and an open dining area.
Some of the firm’s notable awards include the Associated Builders & Contractors(ABC) Excellence in Construction Awards and the CT Building Congress Project Team Awards. The team has also been recognized on the Engineering News+Record (ENR) Top 400 Contractor list and featured in the Hartford Business Journal.
DCK Worldwide
707 Richards St. Suite #410, Honolulu, HI 96813
DCK Worldwide is consistently listed as one of the industry’s most trusted organizations. The firm has been named on Building Design + Construction’s 75 largest retail firms list, as well as one of Engineering News+Record’s Top General Commercial Contractors. It is also one of Pittsburgh’s 40 Fastest-Growing Private Companies. DCK has also been recognized by the International Council of Shopping Centers’ Vision-Innovation-Value-Achievement Retail Store Design Award.
DCK Worldwide is an internationally-known company and has extensive experience in the mall construction field. Working from the Caribbean to North America, DCK Worldwide has become an expert when it comes to the different facets of construction including construction management, general construction, pre-construction, and even LEED standards.
One of DCK’s projects was the general construction of the Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota, FL. DCK Worldwide began construction of the 880,000-square-foot enclosed mall in 2012, managing over 30 subcontractors to work on the site. The Mall at University Town Center features over 100 stores and restaurants ranging from Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, Dillard’s, and more.
VCC, LLC
18201 Von Karman Ave. Suite #100, Irvine, CA 92612
When it comes to project range and area service, VCC has done it. From retail build-outs to theater/auditoriums, the firm has built them. Its diverse ability in construction and its project management skills have defined the firm since 1987. Today, the firm is continuously delivering great structures under the guidance of Sam Alley. As a licensed professional engineer, Alley has the authority and responsibility for the overall performance and projects of the company in all 50 states.
Striking architecture and meticulous construction distinguish the Fashion Show Mall at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. VCC USA was charged with generating more activity and increasing traffic at the mall. It wasn’t easy; this particular project presented the team with many challenges. As Las Vegas Strip is a high traffic area, VCC USA made sure that renovation did not hinder public access. The project was completed swiftly and successfully, with deadlines and budgets alike observed.
C.W. Driver Companies
468 N Rosemead Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107
C.W. Driver Companies has a long history in California and even owns the oldest license number in the state. The firm houses LEED Accredited Professionals who ensure the safety and sustainability of projects. C.W. Driver Companies has grown into one of Southern California’s oldest construction firms. The firm has proven capable of winning awards and gaining industry recognition in market sectors like retail, education, hospitality, cultural, and senior living.
The 140,000-square-foot Pacific City Retail Shops boasts the interweaving characteristics of Mediterranean and Coastal-inspired architecture. Located in Huntington, Pacific City is designed to attract both locals and tourists. It is situated near the Pacific Coast Highway’s famous panoramic ocean views. For its great architecture and strong construction, The Pacific City Retail was awarded the 2016 Gold Nugget Award of Merit.
Mortenson Company
700 Meadow Ln. N, Golden Valley, MN 55422
Dan Johnson brings over 30 years of construction expertise to Motenson’s diverse team. Under his careful eye and strategic planning, Mortenson was able to build breathtaking structures. Mortenson’s broad range of services enables it to offer clients high-performing projects that prove its capability in the construction process.
The Mall of America expansion is just one of Mortenson’s notable projects. The firm served as the developer and design/build firm for this project. It entailed a 268,000 three-story retail expansion for a grand atrium, a food court, restaurants, and retail outlets. The luxury hotel, JW Marriott, made the mall accessible through a direct tunnel.
This project earned a number of awards including the 2016 Award of Excellence and the 2016 Best Retail Project from the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) and the Best Retail Project from the Minnesota Shopping Center Association (MSCA).
The Weitz Company
2111 E Highland Ave. Suite #400, Phoenix, AZ 85016
The Weitz Company is without a doubt one of the nation’s top commercial builders for retail build-outs. Industry associations like the Associated Builder & Contractor (ABC), the Arizona Department of Real Estate (AZRE), the Master Builders of Iowa, and Building Design + Construction have praised the firm with awards and press features.
The Weitz Company’s Taubman Prestige Outlets of Chesterfield project is a real stunner. In partnership with Taubman Companies, the 450,000-square-foot shopping district was erected and completed in 2013. It features an airy and village-style architecture with a dog-friendly environment and accessible fitness trails along the Missouri river. Upscale brands fill the 210,000-square-foot retail space ranging from national to local brands.
DeAngelis Diamond
6635 Willow Park Dr., Naples, FL 34109
DeAngelis Diamond is a name that has been on the construction scene for more than 20 years. In recent years, the firm and its projects have been mentioned in publications like the Business Observer Magazine, INC 5000, Engineering News+Record, Nashville Business Journal, Business Alabama, and Naples Daily News. The firm is also a member of NAIOP, OSHA, and USGBC.
Partners John DeAngelis and David Diamond are seasoned professionals who have been in the industry for over 30 years. While DeAngelis provides real estate, development and building guidance, Diamond brings in a touch of style and creativity into the firm’s projects. Working with DeAngelis Diamond means working with LEED Accredited Professionals who create projects that are both eco-friendly and appealing. Take a look at the firm’s portfolio to see the different capabilities it has when it comes to building retail build-outs.
Graycor Construction
Two Mid America Plz. Suite #400, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Building throughout the U.S. is something that Graycor Construction is committed to. It specializes in majority of commercial build-outs including retail, hospitality, educational, and more. In 1921, Graycor was founded as Chicago’s Concrete Breaking Company. The firm has experienced various challenging projects since its inception. Today, Graycor Construction is under the leadership of Dave Wing. He started with Graycor as an engineer in 1992 and worked his way to the Presidency through attentive leadership, strong commitment, and passion for stunning architecture.
The Engineering News+Record, Phoenix Business Journal, and the MWRE Journal featured the firm in articles and annual listings of the best contractors. In addition to these distinctions, Graycor is also a U.S. Green Building Council LEED professional, a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP), and the Retail Design Institute.
The Oakbrook Center redevelopment is just one of Graycor’s notable projects. The redevelopment is all about maximizing space and enhancing the amenities of the shopping center. It features a 50,000-square-foot theatre, a 14,000-square-foot dining hall, and a new three-level parking garage.
Jacobsen Construction Co.
3131 W 2210 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84119
Situated in Utah, Jacobsen is ranked as a leading commercial contractor in the state. Working with retail malls, shopping centers, healthcare, and higher education, the firm has diverse project experience. Doug Welling’s rich background in construction and business allows him to supervise and lead the company in delivering world-class structures. The firm has achieved a number of awards, including the 2015 & 2012 Best Office/Retail/Mixed-use Project award from the ENR Mountain States. The firm was also named as Utah’s 2019 Best of State Winner for the Commercial Contractor category.
In collaboration with Swinerton Builders, Jacobsen Construction gave L.A.’s premier shopping mall, Beverly Center, a $500 million face lift. A continuous ribbon of skylights graces the shopping mall throughout its facade, capturing the daylight. Other details of the renovation include street-level restaurants, a smart parking system to guide visitors through a smooth arrival and departure and a gourmet food hall. The 900,000-square-foot mall was completed in 2018 in time to welcome busy shoppers during the holiday season.
Plant Construction Company
300 Newhall Street, San Francisco, CA 94124
Complex projects have been a constant for the Plant Construction Company for decades. When brothers Tom, Buck, and Dave Plant founded the company in 1947, the company faced many challenging projects like converting an old wooden barge into a duck-hunting lodge. This made the firm develop its skills in building and expand its service from new construction to historic preservation.
Plant Construction Company led the construction for the new Market Street Place in San Francisco, CA. The project features a glass facade with cable support for maximum transparency, six stories of restaurants and retial shops, and tall ceiling for its interior. The 375,000-square-foot retail center is a powerful collaboration between Plant Construction, Gensler, and Cypress Equities.
Numerous publications including ENR, Forbes Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Architectural Record, SF Business Times, Berkeleyside, and SF Gate have either featured the firm or its outstanding projects in all of the markets it serves.
PCL Construction
2000 South Colorado Blvd. Tower Two, Suite #2-500, Denver, CO 80222
PCL Construction is a large construction company offering services in the U.S., Canada, the Carribean, and Australia. Its diverse construction clients span civil infrastructure to heavy industrial, and include education, healthcare, and cultural building markets.
One of PCL’s biggest projects, literally and figuratively, is the Mall of America. The mall houses over 500 retail shops, a five-level parking space, and a colossal seven-acre Nickelodeon Universe indoor amusement park. This particular project earned PCL Construction the Build America Award from the Associated General Contractors association.
In addition to industry recognitions, the firm is also an active member of ABC and is accredited with OSHA, LEED certified professionals, and CCA Gold Seal-certification.
Hoar Construction
Two Metroplex Dr. Suite #400, Birmingham, AL 35209
Hoar Construction is a leading national contractor with more than 79 years’ experience across all market sectors. The full-service contractor has seven offices in six states and an annual volume of more than one billion dollars in constructed and managed work. The company is consistently ranked among the top contractors in the country including the ENR annual Top Contractors list and has earned awards from multiple organizations including the Associated Builders and Contractors Excellence in Construction awards.
Hoar Construction is one of the nation’s premier retail contractors and has completed more than 125 million square feet of retail construction. The company led the multi-phase renovation of Lynnhaven Mall in Virginia Beach. The mall was originally built in 1981 as a two-story mall with the food court located on the second floor. The mall owner wanted to convert the two-level shopping center to one level – creating a more modern and open look. Hoar Construction completed the 145,000 square foot project in three phases over the course of four years. Throughout construction, the mall remained open for business which required extensive planning and site management from the project team. To complete the project on time with minimal impact to tenants and shoppers, the team performed a significant amount of work after the mall closed at night.
The Beck Group
1807 Ross Ave. Suite #500, Dallas, TX 75201
The Beck Group weaves modern, creative, and aesthetically pleasing traits into each of its projects. Henry “Peter” Beck III is the current Executive Chairman of the Beck Group. His background, both academically and by experience, allows him to facilitate a type of leadership that goes beyond just stating his principles but integrating them into every aspect of the firm’s practices.
Beck Group is a multi-state and award-winning design-build firm serving different markets with trendy and sustainable construction development. The firm’s portfolio of projects show great diversity in style and construction processes. Under The Beck Group’s exceptional leaders, the firm has delivered groundbreaking projects that prove the firm’s top-quality skills in construction.
The firm’s presence can also be felt through projects in and around Texas, as well as through affiliations with the International Council of Shopping Centers and the Design-Build Institute of America. The Beck Group managed the construction of The Shops at Clearfork, a new shopping center in Fort Worth, TX. The open-air mall features over one-million-square feet of store shells for both national and local stores.
How can I find a contractor near me
Read our latest articles on the best contractors in the country. 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.
Supermarket contractors in the US
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 building a mall, 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.
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