The home North Carolina State University, Raleigh is a hub of both educational and technological institutions at the center of the “Research Triangle.” We’ve showcased 12 of Raleigh’s best general contractors, the names behind some of the community’s most striking commercial and office spaces. Several of these companies are the proud recipient of awards, and they all offer their clients a unique range of services. 

Clancy & Theys Construction Company

421 N Harrington Street, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27603

Clancy & Theys has been in business since 1949 and offers its clients a complete and comprehensive range of commercial general contracting services. The firm’s portfolio includes offices, higher education buildings, senior living facilities, and hospitality spaces. The firm has also taken on various public, healthcare, religious, retail, and athletic projects. The company prides itself on the stellar rankings it has received through the years. It is among the Engineering News-Record’s leading 200 contractors and 100 green builders. The company operates out of five regional offices and is also uses the latest Building Information Modeling techniques. 

The depicted project was completed for Grubb Properties. Located in Chapel Hill, this project was named for Gwendolyn Harrison, the first African-American woman to attend the University of North Carolina. It serves as a new office building and is part of Glen Lennox, one of the first-ever mid-century modern planned communities in the United States. The project provides over 102,000 square feet of office space and also includes covered parking, its own café, and various locker rooms. 

CT Wilson Construction Company, Inc

150 Golden Drive, Suite 200, Durham, NC 27705

Now on its third generation of builders, CT Wilson Construction is a family-owned and -operated firm that operates out of its office in Durham. The firm assists its clients throughout the entire process, from start to finish. The firm is known for its unique and innovative solutions to complex, challenging spaces. Since the company’s inception, the firm has been the proud recipient of countless accolades. Some of its most recent distinctions include the 2019 Carolina’s AGC Presidential Award for Safety Excellence and the 2019 Sir Walter Raleigh Award for its work on the Junction West + Cherokee HQ.

CT Wilson Construction closely worked with Clearscapes Architects in completing the Cherokee Headquarters & Junction West. They filled the 12,833 square foot space with simple yet purposeful layout and plans. Located in Raleigh, NC, this project cost roughly over $1.9M and was finished in 2017.

J.D. Beam, Inc.

1812 Tillery Place, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27604 

J.D. Beam dates back to 1979 and operates out of its headquarters in the heart of Raleigh. The firm offers its clients a complete range of general contracting services. Those services include everything from pre-construction to finishing touches and construction management. Its team also often employs a comprehensive design-build approach, which allows it to keep the entire process in-house. Doing so lessens the burden for clients in terms of having to look for additional subcontractors. Some of the firm’s best work can be found spread across the Raleigh-Durham and Triangle area. It is also licensed to practice in South Carolina and Virginia. 

The project below features the firm’s work on the 751 Corporate Center located in Raleigh. It is a Class A three-story office structure. Inside, it showcases sleek interiors with various collaborative lounge areas, amenities like a café and a fitness center and its very own childcare facility. All in all, the firm worked on 92,712 square feet of space. 

August Construction Solutions

707 North West Street, Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27603

August Construction Solutions is a general contracting firm specializing in national tenant improvement. The company’s award-winning portfolio spans the categories of retail, adaptive reuse, developer improvements, office, hospitality and select residential. Founded in 2013, ACS is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. The company has consistently been named to the Triangle Business Journal’s Fast 50, an honor bestowed to the fastest growing private companies in North Carolina’s Triangle region. The range and craftsmanship found in the company’s portfolio speaks to the precision and passion brought to every job. Select work is profiled on augustcs.com

Recently, ACS worked with renown chef/restauranteur Scott Crawford to open his first casual concept restaurant, the highly anticipated Crawford Cookshop. Located in historic Clayton, North Carolina, August Construction Solutions worked with developer Atlas Stark and Louis Cherry Architecture to carefully prepare the aging structure for its next iteration, as well as to build out the 4,000 square feet interior space and adjacent patio. The project, pictured here, was honored with the 2021 Best Downtown Design Award by the Clayton Downtown Development Association.

Riggs-Harrod Builders, Inc.

1117 E Geer Street, Durham, NC 27704

With over four decades of industry experience, Riggs-Harrod Builders offers its clients a complete and comprehensive range of general contracting services. It has had the opportunity to work in and around the entirety of the Triangle and specializes in new builds, renovation, restorations, and additions. Its portfolio showcases an affinity for medical, industrial, educational, religious, retail, and office projects. It credits its success to the talent of its highly experienced team. This in-house team works closely with its clients throughout the entire process. The firm completes all of its work on time and within the agreed-upon schedule. 

The project above is a great example of the company’s talent and expertise. Completed for Duda|Paine Architects, this space features  an excellent transitional theme complemented by exposed brick and beams. It is located in Durham and serves as the brand’s main office. 

Bordeaux Construction Company, Inc.

135 E Martin Street, #101, Raleigh, NC 27601

Bordeaux Construction operates out of two offices in Raleigh and Wilmington. The firm provides prospective clients with comprehensive construction and design packages. Those packages can include preconstruction, competitive bidding, construction management, and post-construction work. The firm stays up-to-date with the latest construction technology like Building Information Modeling and various web-based collaboration tools. The company’s team emphasizes the importance of close communication with its clients throughout the entire process, which has resulted in little or even no revisions. Showcased below is one of the firm’s best spaces from its portfolio.

Completed back in 2016, this project was built for the BDO Raleigh office. For this, the firm’s team was tasked with its full mechanical, electrical, and finish upfit. It also had to work on an open office workspace, five conference rooms, a staff training room, a break room, and a large executive board room.

Riley-Lewis General Contractors, Inc.

236 S Boylan Avenue, #101, Raleigh, NC 27603

Established in 1997, Riley-Lewis General Contractors specializes in the renovation of office spaces, medical and dental facilities, sports arenas, gyms and wellness centers, retail stores, restaurants and foodservice venues, and other commercial and business spaces. It extends its services throughout the Triangle and has had the opportunity to work with several noteworthy clients, including Duke University Health Systems, Atlas Stark, North Carolina State University, and Spectrum Properties. Its portfolio is a stellar gallery of modern and contemporary spaces. 

This modern office space was completed by Riley-Lewis General for DUMAC at Diamond View II in Durham. In order to complete this project, the firm had to oversee and work on its extensive renovation. It also was tasked with its  4,685-square-foot expansion. 

Harrod and Assoc. Constructors

6612 Fleetwood Drive, Raleigh, NC 27612

Harrod has been in business since 1994 and extends its services throughout Eastern and Central North Carolina. Its portfolio showcases an excellent gallery of educational, automotive, religious, government, retail, and office projects. The firm has also worked on several public parks, recreation centers, and pools. Some of its best work can be seen spread throughout the most sought-after commercial districts in Durham, RTP, Greensboro, Chapel Hill, Butner, Goldsboro, Knightdale, Wake Forest, Fayetteville, Greenville, and Cary. The firm personalizes its approach for each of its projects and couples that customized plan with the strategic use of the latest industry technology. Doing so has consistently resulted in outstanding results. 

The project above shows the firm’s work for Southern States Mazda. It features an excellent contemporary theme and a seamless open floor plan. Some of its best elements include its paneled flooring, tiled backsplashes, and glass dividers. 

Zackery Michael Commercial Construction

2449 Lynn Road, Raleigh, NC 27612

Zackery Michael Commercial Construction draws inspiration from over three decades of industry experience. The firm offers its clients an excellent range of full-service planning, construction, renovation, retrofitting, and finishing services. The firm specializes in healthcare, industrial, office, restaurant, and retail spaces. It offers its services at highly competitive prices and is well-known for completing everything within the agreed-upon schedule. 

Focusing on the firm’s office work, it has completed various corporate headquarters, business parks, and call centers. The firm can take on anything a client may need. Its portfolio includes conference rooms, reception and common areas, and executive offices. It can also handle complex extensions and renovations, in addition to unique and specialty spaces like employee cafés. 

Davidson and Jones Construction Company

1207 Front Street, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27609

In business since 1918, Davidson and Jones Construction is the oldest firm on this list and provides a broad spectrum of general contracting work. The firm specializes in automotive, education, religious, healthcare, hospitality, and industrial spaces. It has also worked on countless offices, homes, and retail projects. It has had the opportunity to work with countless household names. Some of these include Hampton by Hilton, John Deere, and UNC Health Care. The firm’s landmark projects in the Triangle include the Crabtree Valley Mall, the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Imperial Center, Highwoods Office Park, and the Cary Town Center. 

This space was designed for the PSI Office and is located in Durham, and the firm’s team was tasked with its full renovation. They had to oversee demolition as well as mechanical, electrical, and plumbing upgrades. A remodel of the server room was also required, and employee communal spaces were added. 

Gateway Building Company

618 Ramseur Street, Suite 102, Durham, NC 27701

Founded in 2013, Gateway Building  has worked on over 500 projects since its inception, and it has also fostered excellent partnerships with the area’s best subcontractors. The firm specializes in both ground-up construction and extensive renovations. Its portfolio is a showcase of striking bars, restaurants, and offices. It has also worked on several historical restorations, healthcare spaces, and commercial residences. The firm has received wonderful reviews from its customers. 

The project above is an excellent example of its work. Completed for Spoonflower, it features a quirky and colorful space, a retail area, and several offices. 

Chambliss & Rabil Contractors Inc.

405 Rogers View Court, Suite 107, Raleigh, NC 27610

Chambliss & Rabil has been extending its services throughout the North Carolina region since 1975. It operates out of its headquarters in Raleigh and provides a great range of planning, design, and construction work. Its portfolio features several  dental facilities, medical facilities, and offices. It is also experienced in working on retail structures and residential projects. The firm currently has offices in Rocky Mount, Raleigh, and Wilmington, North Carolina.

Located in Rocky Mount, the firm is behind this project, designed and completed for the Stoneybrook office. It was finished in the fall of 2015 in collaboration with the architects of Oakley Collier Architects. The firm was tasked with having to work on its shell and interior fitting.