Like most of the cities in the Midwest, Milwaukee is a city thriving with industry. Here, you will find steady economic growth in a number of markets such as manufacturing, retail, education, healthcare, and foodservice. Alongside these industries, you will also encounter the established presence of many local builders who have long served the region, as well as the up-and-coming contractors steadily growing their exciting new practices.
If you are a business owner with a commercial project in need of construction or remodeling, look no further than this list of the best commercial contractors in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. These are the builders whose expertise has been proven time and again across a number of project types and commercial markets. Our editorial team selected these builders based on their background in the regional scene, the extent of their experience, and their ability to cater to the needs of business owners and developers.
VJS Construction Services
W233 N2847 Roundy Circle W, Pewaukee, WI 53072
If you’ve been doing business in Wisconsin for a long time, chances are you’ve heard of VJS Construction Services. The firm was founded in 1947 and stands today as one of Wisconsin’s top general contractors, construction managers, and design builders. Following its philosophy that “Anything Less Than Exceptional Is Unacceptable,” the firm specializes in developing distinctive facilities for the corporate office, education, government, housing, manufacturing, medical, religious, retail, and senior living markets.
An example of the firm’s commercial work is the Downtown Kitchen for the US Bank Center. The Downtown Kitchen, previously known as the Galleria Cafe, is located at the Galleria level of the US Bank Center in downtown Milwaukee. The 15,000-square-foot restaurant development by the Bartolotta Restaurant Group underwent a reinvention, with new décor and lighting, as well as food stations. Today, the Downtown Kitchen provides an upscale location for thousands of employees at the US Bank Center and surrounding downtown office buildings.
Selzer-Ornst Construction Company
6222 W State St, Milwaukee, WI 53213
Few firms can claim to have been serving Wisconsin for over nine decades; Selzer-Ornst is one of those companies. Just like it does with the foundations of its projects, the firm also builds strong foundations with its owners, architects, clients, subcontractors, and vendors. Selzer-Ornst is proud to invest in industry experts, technology, and quality construction practices, and its in-house team includes a broad base of full-time employees with the initiative and commitment to deliver quality and valuable results.
The firm is currently led by President Matthew Tadisch, a Green Bay native and graduate of the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Matthew has a Construction Management degree as well as a Masters degree in Business Administration from Marquette University. He has extensive experience as an assistant superintendent and project engineer for a number of construction companies and projects. Under Matthew’s leadership, the firm strives to create situations in which it can provide clients with a finished product that accurately realizes their vision while maintaining the demands of the budget and schedule. Some notable clients of the firm include Mercedes Benz and Audi.
Corporate Contractors Inc.
711 Wells Street, Suite 120, Delafield, WI 53018
Corporate Contractors, Inc. (CCI) is a leading general contracting firm with offices in southern Wisconsin and Milwaukee. In over three decades, the firm has completed thousands of construction projects locally and across the nation. These projects include designing for industrial sites, building new community assets, preserving cherished landmarks, and renovating historic commercial buildings. CCI, led by its president, Brad Austin, ensures that each project it undertakes receives both inspired design and purposeful construction that reflects a client’s vision.
A good example of the firm’s work is The Hotel Goodwin in Beloit. The project scope involved the transformation of a three-story former professional office building into a sleek and modern thirty-four-room boutique hotel. The hotel includes a first-floor restaurant and a rooftop terrace. CCI was more than successful in completing this adaptive reuse project, with the hotel’s build and design even garnering an award.
JCP Construction
1849 N MLK Drive, Suite 200, Milwaukee, WI 53212
What began in 2008 as a multi-family home renovation firm has steadily evolved into a commercial and large residential construction company. JCP Construction has flourished under the keen eyes of its founders, the Phelps brothers, who have over 40 years of experience in the industry. The firm’s experience covers over $300 million in projects — a formidable feat that distinguishes the firm as one of the best around the area.
One example of the firm’s work is the Bader Philanthropies Headquarters. For this project, JCP Construction was the Construction Manager. The firm self-performed all the structural and site concrete work. The resulting project is a structured, clean space whose exterior blends a myriad of materials that come together for a professional corporate look.
Hunzinger Construction Company
21100 Enterprise Avenue, Brookfield, WI 53045
As a fourth-generation, family-owned business, Hunzinger Construction Company has been serving the construction industry in Southeast Wisconsin since 1907. Hunzinger Construction Company was founded in Iowa as the J.H. Hunzinger and Company by brothers John, Frank, Fred, and Charles, who wanted to leave their farm lives behind. Today, Hunzinger continues to cement its reputation as a go-to firm, not just for new construction and design, but for innovative green building technologies too. The company’s current president and CEO, John Hunzinger, is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP).
The firm has completed work for national brands like PFChang and Harley Davidson. Another example of its work is for T.G.I. Friday’s Front Row Sports Grill at Miller Park in Milwaukee. Hunzinger Construction Company was hired as a general contractor for this complete renovation and update of T.G.I.F. in Miller Park, and it was completed just in time for the 2014 Brewer’s season opener. Impressively, the firm completed the project in just five days. The project included interior millwork modifications and upgrades, new brick veneer wall surfaces, new finishes and décor, and lighting improvements. Now, the modernized bar features a new granite bar surface with stainless nosings and rails, LED accent lighting, custom wood paneling, and is furnished with new seating. The project also included exterior façade enhancements at the entrances located on both the field level concourse and in the beer garden.
JM Remodeling & Construction, LLC
7701 North Teutonia Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53209
JM Remodeling & Construction, LLC is a full-service remodeling company specializing in residential and commercial restoration and renovation. The firm has been proudly serving Southeastern Wisconsin since 1990, providing high-quality services such as custom carpentry and other residential services for kitchens, bathrooms, dormers, and additions. Under the leadership of owner James Meldman, the firm offers continuing education opportunities for its staff to be able to improve both their quality of service and to expand their knowledge on current industry trends and technologies. This dedication to continuing education has resulted in the firm receiving several Wisconsin Remodelers awards in 2016.
When it comes to commercial remodeling projects, the firm’s scope ranges from industrial and office to retail buildings, both complex and straightforward. JM Remodeling & Construction has completed small jobs, under a thousand dollars, as well as jobs that came in over one million. The firm is able to perform such a range of work because it maintains its own full-service field crew of carpenters, tapers, and painters with experience and knowledge to efficiently complete clients’ construction projects. As a result of its efficient and high-quality work, over 60% of the firm’s customer base is repeat business.
Kelly Construction & Design
225 East Street, Paul Ave, Suite 205, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Kelly Construction & Design is a full-service general contractor with over thirty years of experience building for commercial and residential markets. During that span of time, the firm has constructed projects that range up to $50 million. The company has also expanded its geographic reach beyond its headquarters in Chicago to offices in Milwaukee and Hammond, Indiana, allowing the firm to serve a good chunk of the Midwest.
Kelly Construction & Design works across a number of markets such as industrial, commercial, hospitality, and multi-unit residential. The firm completed work for multiple Concentra Medical Centers across Metro Chicago and Metro Milwaukee. On average, each center is 10,000 square feet. Overall, the firm completed tenant improvements for fourteen medical centers, with the total for the improvements coming up to a value of $8.4 million. For all fourteen facilities, the firm made sure that each was equipped with the necessary tools and equipment, making the centers both functional and clean in style.
