Pittsburgh is a beautiful city in western Pennsylvania situated at the confluence of three rivers. The city’s layout and character are defined by those rivers, which create the illusion of a magnificent metropolis rising right out of the water. Pittsburgh has always been a city built on industry, and despite the fact that the landscape of these industries has altered throughout time, the city remains one of the most best performing cities in the country. Some of its major industries include Alcoa, Inc., Kraft Heinz Co., and Highmark Health. These businesses include advanced manufacturing, healthcare, energy, financial and business services, and information technology.

More of Pittsburgh’s top businesses can be found here, which is why it’s no surprise that Pittsburgh has traditionally been a commercial powerhouse. Its lovely location in Western Pennsylvania provides numerous advantages to budding businesses. If you’re looking to put up shop in the area, take a look at this list of the best commercial contractors in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Massaro Corporation

120 Delta Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15238

Massaro Construction Group (MCG) is a privately held company that has been providing commercial general construction services to the region since 1967. The firm now offers a variety of services in central Pennsylvania, including construction management, 24/7 emergency response, commercial real estate services, and general construction. With a full range of high quality services that have helped establish over a hundred completed projects across the country, Massaro Corporation has been lauded by several media publications, including The Business Journals, NEXTPittsburgh, The Tribune-Review, and Boston Real Estate Times. On top of all that, the firm has also won a vast number of awards from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the MBA. 

Carlow University engaged Massaro to completely renovate an existing library into a new University Commons facility with a new library. The building is 28,500 square feet and five floors. This project included complete demolition and abatement of existing interior space, as well as a new front curtain wall on the E elevation and interior renovations. While the building will be unoccupied during the renovations, the campus will remain fully operational, thus careful delivery coordination is critical to completing the work on time and without interfering with the University’s day-to-day activities.

dck Worldwide

Six PPG Place Suite 700, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

For a vast spectrum of corporate clients and developers, dck Worldwide has completed new commercial building and restoration work. They’ve completed projects ranging from professional sports facilities and water parks to office buildings and parking structures. Also known as one of the fastest growing privately-owned companies in Western Pennsylvania, dck worldwide can provide complete building solutions for a wide range of commercial projects because of their experience.

The firm was commended for completing some projects two months ahead of time. One project is this award-winning PNC Firstside Center. Six-story atrium towers and a sixth-floor penthouse are featured in this five-story, 650,000-square-foot construction project. The building’s facade is made up of dolomitic limestone, brick, and granite, with an elaborate curtain wall system made up of thousands of aluminum and glass components. It is one of the country’s largest commercial buildings to receive a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification, as well as the first financial institution to receive one. The project also received a STAR for health and safety from OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP).

MBM Contracting

4999 Old Clairton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236

MBM was established in 1988 as a general contracting firm. MBM’s first office was established in a single room in the basement of a hair salon, with the primary responsibility of door installation. They’ve evolved into a commercial construction company that offers general contracting, construction management, pre-construction, and design-build services. The firm has been praised in several publications including The Business Journals in 2018 and The Tribune Democrat in 2020. They’ve also received a number of major honors from the AIA.

MBM was appointed as the Construction Manager for Conemaugh Health System’s new 16,000-square-foot outpatient facility in Somerset, Pennsylvania. Primary care, cardiology, neuroscience, surgery, and urology specialty care are all available at the new facility, as well as nuclear medicine, lab testing, and advanced diagnostic imaging services such as mobile computerized tomography (CT), mobile magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), x-ray, and 3D mammography. In order to fulfill their commitment to serve the people of Somerset and the neighboring areas, the new outpatient facility was thoughtfully designed to expand to the Somerset area.

Shannon Construction

3257 West Liberty Ave. Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15216

Driven by the belief that treating people fairly is one of the best methods in any business, Shannon Construction is a Pittsburgh commercial builder with a long history that has been passed down through two generations. General contracting, construction management, design/build, self-perform construction, building construction maintenance, and green building practices are some of their services. Shannon Construction has been built on this foundation for 50 plus years.  The firm principal, Ken Schultz, has 35 years of project and construction management experience and has helped develop the firm’s values building a “Legacy of Craftsmanship and Service.”  Through passion and consistency, Shannon has been saluted by The Business Journals, NEXTpittsburgh, and the Smart Business Magazine among other media for the excellent works they have produced over the years.

The Davis Companies purchased the former Art Institute Dormitories (250,000 plus sf) on 2nd Avenue in Pittsburgh. Shannon performed a total commercial building renovation. The project included 204 industrial loft-style units featuring studio, one, and two-bedroom apartments. Amenities are an essential part of any urban living space, and they include a fitness center, maker’s studio, bowling alley, game area, common rooms, and on-site security. A collaborative effort between the design team and Shannon Construction ensured that the building’s mechanical components were re-designed for Apartment Living. In 2020, Terminal 21 was awarded the Master Builders Association’s Building Excellence Award.

Volpatt Construction

100 Castleview Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15234

Founded in 1991, Volpatt Construction is a full-service construction corporation celebrating 30 years of excellence in the Tri-State Area. Today, the family-operated company continues to play an integral role in building the Western PA and Tri-State Area into a top global destination for healthcare, education, and research. Ray Volpatt, Sr. created the business with a philosophy around working closely with owners to ensure that projects are completed in a timely and efficient manner. As a result, Volpatt Construction has been able to build a long list of repeat clients, partnering with the top businesses and institutions in the area.

With a focus on quality, hands-on service, competitive pricing, and timely project completion, Volpatt Construction has effectively positioned themselves as one of the most respected building contractors in the area. From its very first job at the University of Pittsburgh to over 890 successfully delivered projects, the company continues to turn strong ideas into award winning projects that have been recognized by their respective industry and featured in various press. 

Photo by: Ed Massery Photography

The company is also expanding and has created a new division called ShareInTech, a construction workforce optimization, building management, and asset supervision technology company. The company’s Supervizr platform gives users the power to visualize construction project management from start to finish as well as conduct workforce optimization, building management, and asset supervision. Supervizr was developed in conjunction with UrsaLeo and Connect Up Technologies. UrsaLeo is an IoT and enterprise software company that enables users to visualize operational data in a photorealistic 3D representation of their facility or product and Connect Up offers innovative solutions for safety and health in the workplace. 

In 2018, Volpatt Construction completed the new construction of the first net-zero municipal building that utilizes a passive design to generate power on-site through a photovoltaic solar array system, geothermal system, and a heat pump. The new municipal facility now houses the council chambers, administrative offices, police station, library, and community room. The building today performs at a LEED Gold level, the second highest certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Franjo Construction

335 E. 7th Ave., Homestead, PA 15120

Franjo Construction Corporation is a family-owned and operated construction firm based in Homestead, Pennsylvania. The name Franjo comes from the combination of Frank and Joe Leonello, Jr, two brothers who own and run the organization. Franjo has risen from its incorporation in 1997 to become one of Pittsburgh’s fastest-growing firms in 2014-2019 and one of Pittsburgh’s Top Workplaces 3 years in a row. Their technical expertise, innovative leadership, committed staff, attention to detail, and enthusiasm for construction have earned them this honor. Franjo Construction is a full-service contractor with the ability to oversee construction projects as well as providing full interior construction, restorations, and adaptive reuse services using in-house resources. Due to its continued growth, Franjo has expanded over the years. It owns three buildings in Pittsburgh which contain its offices, warehouse, and a shop for its millwork, casework, and steel fabrication shop. Franjo Construction now has three affiliates: Franjo Specialty Group, Franjo Restoration Services, and Fort Lauderdale-based GSD Contracting.

Franjo Construction is proud of its long-term relationship with Aldi, the German supermarket chain. Franjo Construction has been Aldi’s official construction team in the Greater Pittsburgh Area for the past 18 years. Throughout this time, its dedicated team has established over 105 outlets with a combined revenue of nearly $80 million. Most of these Aldi stores are in Pennsylvania, with others located in Ohio, West Virginia, and Florida.

One of its largest projects to date is Arsenal 201 Apartments in Lawrenceville. Located next to the 40th Street Bridge, this two-phase apartment complex has been developed by Indianapolis-based Milhaus. Franjo completed phase I, which includes 243 apartments, 19,000 SF of retail space, and 75 parking spaces as well as several other amenities. Milhaus again selected Franjo as the general contractor on phase II, which is currently under construction. Once complete, it will add 343 apartments and a 400-space parking garage.

GGC National Contractors

3442 Babcock Boulevard Suite B, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Gaining licensure in nearly every state in the United States, GGC National Contractors was created in 2009 on the ideals of long-term construction and high quality. They focus on the commercial, retail, office & technology, multifamily, automotive, and healthcare industries, with the help of their expert team of over fifty people. Jennifer and John Castellano created GGC National Contractors in November 2009 on the ideals of sustainable building. For nearly 35 years, the husband and wife team has been thoroughly rooted in the construction, mortgage, and property management industries.

As a LEED Green certified firm, GGC National Contractors widely contributed to the green building movement that society aims to spread. John Castellano, the firm’s principal, has over 38 years of experience in commercial construction and has acquired the expertise that led the company to complete over 10 works in their portfolio. One completed work is the American Eagle Outfitters in Las Vegas, Nevada. They were responsible for the overall general construction and helped in the design of the 12,261-square-foot establishment.

Nello Construction

230 East Main Street, Carnegie, PA 15106

Since 1952, Nello Building Company has completed approximately $1 billion in construction services and over 150 K-12 structures with quality as its driving force. Nello is a privately held company established in Pittsburgh that services a wide range of areas including education, ministry, public facilities, commercial, and retail. General construction, construction management, design-build, pre-engineered steel structures, and LEED-certified buildings are all part of the firm’s core skills. They are also an award-winning firm that has amassed a wide range of awards in American Buildings Company Excellence in Design, and numerous recognitions by Pittsburgh Magazine over the years. 

Maintaining the greatest levels of responsiveness, timeliness, and quality control, Nello was able to form strong client relationships over the years. One example is with their client Quantum. Quantum’s mission was to combine science and technology to redefine the manufacturing of spirits. With the support of Nello Construction, their vision was realized, taking the previous bakery area to a whole new level where consumers can enjoy a cozier place for brewing and relaxing. This $450,000 project was erected in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, and it continues to impress consumers with the company’s reputation and elegance.

Mosites Construction & Development Company

400 Mosites Way Suite 100, Pittsburgh, PA 15205

Mosites Construction Company, founded in 1959, specializes in general contracting, design, build, and construction management for the healthcare, industrial, educational, religious, commercial, public, housing, and heavy highway markets. Fueled by passion, founder Mosco George Mosites moved to Pittsburgh where he utilized his expertise in climbing, tying, and rigging lines, in order to establish his painting and maintenance contracting business which later on became the most famous in the tri-state area. The firm was also a recipient of numerous MBA Building Excellence Awards for Excellence in various categories such as New Construction, Craftsmanship, and Safety.

PNC and Parkhurst Dining Services, a member of the Eat’n Park Hospitality Group, collaborated to develop one of Pittsburgh’s first green dining experiences, using environmentally friendly items. The environmentally-friendly café is located in the Allegheny Center Mall and serves as a model for all PNC cafes to follow. Bamboo walls, green glass tile walls created from 100% pre-consumer and post-consumer waste, organic linoleum flooring, and natural quartz and glass worktops made from 85% recycled bottles make up this Eco Bistro featured here. The USGBC has awarded this project a LEED certification for Commercial Interiors.

Marco Contractors, Inc.

100 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15095

Marco Contractors, Inc. is a national general contractor with over 42 years of experience. Retail, restaurant, banking, hotel planning and construction are among their specialties. This firm is recognized and licensed in every state, and has excellent financial planning capabilities, as demonstrated in the D&B rating of 3A1 and a Paydex of 80. Throughout the years, Marco Contractors has built a wide network of loyal clients and have been lauded for their excellence in customer service by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, CBS Pittsburgh, and the Tribune-Review. 

Marco Contractors, Inc. is a preferred contractor for Chipotle. These projects include level-five finishes throughout, have custom finish woodwork, and have extremely tight construction schedules that Marco is consistently able to meet. Marco Construction has done ground-up construction for Chipotle’s 2,200-square-foot establishment in Indianapolis, Indiana.