Detroit is the largest city in Michigan, situated at the state’s southeastern edge. Dubbed the “Motor City,” it is known for its connection to the automotive industry. The city has undergone many changes during its history, including massive sprawl, leading to major revitalization efforts within the city limits. The city’s cultural environment is now thriving, thanks to an active arts, sports, and nightlife culture. With so much to offer—a metropolitan lifestyle, major commercial and cultural events, and unique attractions—the city’s population has exploded in recent years, with over 637,600 people now making Detroit their home.
As a result, the city is focusing on providing better housing options for families of all sizes. In Detroit, new multifamily housing complexes are being developed to accommodate more people while offering a high standard of living. Developers are searching for dependable contractors to keep up with the increasing demand for housing in the city. To help, our editorial team has compiled a list of contractors in the area with experience and awards in multifamily construction. The best multifamily contractors in Detroit, companies known for delivering exceptional work, are listed here.
Walbridge
777 Woodward Ave. Ste. 300, Detroit, MI 48226
Walbridge is a full-service construction firm based in Detroit that has slowly evolved into one of the largest privately-held construction companies in the nation. Since its beginning in 1916, the firm has delivered projects of every scale across the globe, from the United States to India. The firm has overseen residential, multifamily, commercial, and government projects with costs ranging from a few million dollars to over a billion dollars.
With the success of its projects that seamlessly integrate buildings into thriving neighborhoods, the firm has been recognized with multiple awards, including Union Project of the Year from The Association of Union Constructors. Publications such as Hour Detroit and dbusiness have highlighted the firm’s projects and services on several occasions.
Walbridge devotes all of its efforts to realizing the client’s vision of a functional and enduring space. A noteworthy example of this dedication is the multifamily project The Griswold. The firm collaborated with Kramer Design Group and Roxbury Group to construct this 80-unit building on top of a ten-story parking garage and retail facility. The Griswold offers residential spaces with floor plans ranging from 750 to 1,600 square feet.
O’Brien Construction
3011 W. Grand Blvd. Suite 315, Detroit, MI 48202
It takes a lot of coordinated effort to translate a client’s concept into an enduring structure, but O’Brien Construction is up to the task. Known initially as Waterford Construction Company in 1962, the firm has steadily expanded to Detroit, Southeast Michigan, and beyond to become O’Brien Construction. The firm has 59 years of experience in the multifamily, residential, commercial, and historic preservation sectors and can be counted on to deliver quality craftsmanship to each project. As a testament to its craft and reliability, the firm has received the Associated General Contractors Outstanding Safety Performance Award for 21 consecutive years.
This featured project exemplifies O’Brien Construction’s approach to ensuring quality within the timeframe and budget. The firm provided new construction services to erect the Grafton Townhomes in Eastpointe, Michigan. The 59,782-square-foot multifamily project offers 24 two-bedroom spaces and 24 three-bedroom spaces. The firm built an underground stormwater retention system in response to the site’s restricted size and density.
Wolverine Building Group
4045 Barden Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512
Founded in 1939, Wolverine Building Group is a multidisciplinary company that offers skilled construction services in multifamily, residential, industrial, healthcare, and commercial projects. The company’s dedication to enriching communities with the best buildings has propelled its extensive growth over the past eight decades. Today, the company employs over 150 people and is among West Michigan’s most recognized and experienced construction companies.
The company carries out its core principles of integrity and passion to ensure outputs that exceed clients’ expectations. The company has received numerous awards for its excellence in recent years, including the Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Michigan’s Excellence in Construction Award for Roofing Other. Grand Rapids Business Journal and Commercial Construction & Renovation have also highlighted the firm’s projects and services.
Featured here is a multifamily complex in downtown Detroit, The Wellington. The company renovated a historic building from the 1950s, turning it into a senior multifamily building that houses 91 affordable living spaces. The 164,000-square-foot structure offers one- and two-bedroom units, along with a huge gathering room, a media room, and several lounges and meeting spaces.
Spence Brothers
4130 Varsity Dr. Suite A, Ann Arbor, MI, 48108
Going strong with an outstanding work history reaching back more than 128 years, Spence Brothers has established itself as one of the leading contractors in the state of Michigan. With a diverse portfolio, the firm handles projects of all sizes, complexities, and market types. It has proven itself as a firm that provides well-rounded solutions to clients’ needs and problems.
The firm has won numerous prestigious awards throughout its history, including Best Project Team (2021), Gold Standard – Outstanding Safety Performance Award (2020), and Outstanding Project Awards. Its accreditations include AGC, USGBC, LEED AP (Silver and Gold awards), and the Saginaw Chamber of Commerce. It has been spotlighted by publications such as CAM Magazine, Great Lakes Bay Regional Lifestyle Magazine, and Mass Transit Magazine.
Featured above is Hub Ann Arbor, a high-rise multifamily residence in Ann Arbor, located within an easy walk of the University of Michigan campus. This towering structure, built primarily as student housing, has 12 stories with 124 available units with varying floor plans and amenities. It has parking space below and at the rear of the building. The building’s community facilities include a fitness center, a club room, and business spaces.
DeMaria Building Company
3031 W. Grand Blvd, Suite 540, Detroit, MI 48202
What makes DeMaria Building Company an invested and reliable contractor is its undying passion for building and nurturing trusted customer-client relationships. A sense of purpose drives the company in serving people and strengthening the community as a whole. It believes that great projects are accomplished only through extensive collaboration, attentive listening, and active communication.
Spearheading the firm is CEO and principal Richard DeMaria. He brings over 52 years of experience, entailing diversity, commitment, and the advancement of projects across different market sectors. With his guidance, the firm has earned certifications such as AGC, LEED AP (LEED Silver and Gold), ASHE, and AIA.
Town Commons is a massive residential project consisting of multifamily units and homes. It has 420 available units, which vary in size and accompanying amenities. The conveniently located development provides easy access to the community center, transportation, and retail outlets. The design is traditional with modern touches to create a timeless appeal.
The Monahan Company
21321 Kelly Rd., Eastpointe, MI 48021
The Monahan Company is a well-established contracting firm founded in 1922. The firm has been owned and led by four generations of the Monahan family, with each successive generation honing the firm’s expertise and craftsmanship. The firm has always had at least one family member with detailed knowledge of the clients’ needs, to provide continuity and stability through the years.
Currently, it is Michael Monahan who manages the firm in all of its processes. He guides the building and design phases, supervises projects from start to finish, and reviews the end result. Thanks to his leadership and the accumulated knowledge of his predecessors, the firm has earned certifications such as AGC Michigan and awards such as the Building Award (2015) by AIA Michigan.
The Plaza is an excellent example of the firm’s residential projects. This multifamily residence was developed from the firm’s historic renovation of a prominent building. The new high-rise building offers 72 luxury apartment units with high ceilings, premium materials and furniture, HVAC systems, and an excellent view of the cityscape. In addition to the apartment units, the firm has plans to build a restaurant on the first floor for residents and guests.
