The latest industry report predicts that Portland’s construction market will be steady over the next few years. The city has been growing for decades, especially with the continuing commercial developments that have been shaping its strong urban market. Helping the area and its developers conceptualize, transform, and build these spaces are the best commercial contractors in Portland. These companies are multi-awarded, multi-affiliated, and celebrated organizations that have helped revitalize many of the country’s urban landscapes. Some of these firms are headquartered in Portland; others are nationally and globally renowned contractors that dominate a wide array of market sectors.
Hammer and Hand Construction
1020 SE Harrison St. Portland, OR 97214
Since it first launched its services over 25 years ago, Hammer & Hand has been delivering an award-winning construction practice to the region’s residential and commercial sectors. In addition to numerous Gold Nugget and green awards for its single-family home projects, the firm’s work for the commercial sector has also earned several Outstanding Remodeling Achievement Awards in recent years. Many of the firm’s projects as a commercial general contractor are products of partnerships with leading designers and architects in the field. One example is the firm’s tenant improvement work for Danner’s Union Way location.
The project, built for the Lacrosse Footwear brand, was a collaboration between the company and designers Michelle Jeresek and Brian Pietrowski. Set in earth tones and natural materials, one of the most interesting aspects of the build is its use of native wood, including western maple, which is all sourced from the Pacific Northwest. Another highlight of the store’s interior is its living wall where the Danner pops out of its green canvas. For the display sections, the firm used custom-milled brass shelving hardware. The best spot in the store is its custom madrone dressing room which derived its inspiration from a teardrop camping trailer.
Balfour Beatty
1455 NW Irving St. Unit #400, Portland, OR 97209
Balfour Beauty’s over 135 years of multi-awarded construction practice makes it one of the most established companies in the country. Awards and rankings from the Engineering News-Record (ENR), local and national Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), and Design-Build Institute of America are just some of the institutions that have highlighted the firm’s outstanding work. The company currently serves over 20 sectors, including the commercial market. The majority of the firm’s diverse portfolio is composed of projects from loyal clients and referrals. As a commercial contractor, the company has worked for some of the country’s biggest brands. Microsoft, Hyatt Regency, and Ritz Carlton have trusted the firm’s comprehensive delivery method.
Cabela’s Incorporated has also been working with the firm for years to build the outdoor outfitter retail company’s several locations across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. This includes the store’s Tualatin location. After creatively overcoming the challenges permitting and exterior facade revisions, the firm produced a commercial structure that embodies the brand’s vision and its focus on customer experience. One of the highlights of the project is a mountain display of taxidermy animals as well as several aquariums. Included in the build are offices, service areas, and conference rooms.
Anderson Construction
6712 N Cutter Cir. Portland, OR 97217
Anderson Construction offers a concept-through-completion approach with its comprehensive delivery methods. The firm’s design-build nature also allows it to take on technically complex and high-value projects for some of the biggest markets in the country. The firm’s seven decades of service have established its award-winning reputation in the industry. In recent years, the firm has been consistently included in Building Design + Construction’s annual Top 100 US Contractors rankings. In 2020, its Side Yard project won recognition in the form of the US Woodworks Wood Design Award. Similar structures of the same quality continue to build the firm’s reputation as a leading general contractor for the commercial market.
One of the firm’s most notable projects is Hilton Hotel Inc.’s Downtown Portland location. The firm partnered with international architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill to complete the 350,000-square-foot commercial build. The resulting 22-story building accommodates 455 guest rooms, restaurants, lounges, as well as full-service fitness and athletic facilities. The hotel also houses an indoor pool. A dedicated two-level garage provides 350 parking spaces for guests. The highlights of the commercial structure are the hotel’s convention center, which is the largest facility of its kind in Oregon and includes a grand ballroom hall that can host over 1,170 people.
R & H Construction
2019 NW Wilson Street, Portland, OR 97209
R&H Construction’s over 40 years of construction experience with over 14 market sectors is highlighted by a long list of accolades from the industry’s biggest institutions. Oregon Business Magazine and Portland Business Journal have both featured the firm’s milestones for years through their 100 Best Companies rankings and Most Admired Companies Award. The firm is also a strong advocate of green construction and was recently included on the 100 Best Green Companies list, and it received the Sustainability at Work recognition from the city of Portland. The combination of quality construction and sustainable techniques is embodied by its work for the commercial sector.
For a project for Market of Choice, the firm was tasked with the construction of several of the supermarket chain’s locations across Oregon. Partnering with Glas Architects, the company delivered commercial builds that feature different products and service highlights as well as distinct designs and finishes. NW Portland location, for instance, houses a wine and beer shop and a juice bar. Its SE counterpart introduced a coffee bar, brick pizza oven place, and a wine and beer shop. Bend’s location includes a two-tiered cafe that highlights a fireplace and an additional outdoor plaza. The building’s sustainability features include LED lighting, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and refurbished casework. A MudHen Water Reclamation System was used to complete the concrete polishing process.
Bremik Construction
1026 SE Stark St. Portland, OR 97214
Since Bremik Construction’s inception in 2004, it has stayed true to its vision of delivering sustainable and high-performing structures for a wide spectrum of markets. The firm’s portfolio includes projects for the residential, healthcare, corporate, commercial and retail, academic, and industrial sectors. Some of these projects are either designed or have passed US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED accreditation for energy-efficiency and green design. This level of expertise and its decades of reliable practice has helped it win clients from the country’s biggest brands and developers.
In Sandy, Oregon, for instance, the company was hired by Suburban Auto Group to provide its 19,600-square-foot Chevrolet location’s installation upgrades. The firm partnered with Axis Design Group for the commercial space’s architecture and design work. The project included the construction of a canopy that will accommodate a new space for a covered car display. The automotive store’s entrance portal was updated together with the brand’s newly installed signage. For the building’s interiors, the company focused on updating finishes. These include updates on the flooring, walls, desktops, and new branding. Additionally, high-performance lighting and interior glazing made the whole indoor space more modern and polished. The resulting structure stays faithful to the colors and themes of the General Motors brand.
Skanska
1010 NW Flanders St. Suite #500, Portland, OR 97209
Skanska is a construction and development company that first opened its doors in 1971 as Skanska USA. Headquartered in New York, it expands its services through its 29 offices, including its Portland office. The firm is known for championing sustainability, with over 350 projects that hold LEED accreditation. ENR named the firm among its Largest Building Contractors by Revenue and Largest Heavy Contractors by Revenue rankings. Through its sustainability techniques and its overall comprehensive delivery methods, the company has served a wide range of industries.
One of its most iconic works can be found in Georgia. In 2014 in Atlanta, the firm was selected by Encore Real Estates to lead the full renovation for Walgreens Co’s Olympia location. The project included the extensive structural update of the historic 31,800-square-foot Olympia Building known for its iconic Coca-Cola sign. This presented an exciting challenge in transforming the structure’s interior and exterior spaces since the site is a registered historic location and a landmark in Atlanta. The firm had to make sure that the sign remained operational and the wall’s stone-clad façade remained intact. Additional work on its exterior included structural support improvements, the installation of new bike racks, as well as a transformation of the Decatur and Edgewood sidewalks. The project also produced a 4,650-square-foot basement stock area and equipment rooms.
Swinerton
342 SW 2nd Ave. Portland, OR 97204
For over 130 years, Swinerton has been dominating the country’s construction industry with its multidisciplinary approach to building, design, and construction management. The firm is one of the biggest companies in the US that has its own research and development initiatives to develop innovations in its building processes. It’s not surprising that the firm has helped clients from over 20 market sectors to complete some of the most complex structures throughout the US.
As a commercial general contractor, it has delivered landmark restaurants and entertainment centers in different cities in the Pacific Northwest. Wingspan Event and Conference Center, Oregon State University – Cascades Edward J. Ray Hall, ilani Casino Resort, Vacasa, Steeplejack Brewing, and Tosoh Quartz are just some of the biggest establishments that relied on the company’s multifaceted approach to building. Projects of similar value and complexity from the firm’s regional and national portfolio have consistently caught the attention of the industry. ENR, for instance, continues to include the firm among its annual rankings for construction excellence and outstanding building practices.
Siteworks Design Build
240 SE 2nd Ave. Portland, OR 97214
Siteworks Design-Build has been serving the commercial and multi-residential industry since 1994. What started as a one-man operation became one of the region’s highly commended firms. Today, a number of organizations and publications have recognized the company’s contribution to shaping Oregon’s urban centers. One of the firm’s most notable projects in Portland is the Pine Street Market. The work has been commended by the design and building community and WestJet Magazine and Pine Street Market Press featured the project in recent years. In 2016, it won major retail development awards from respected industry institutions, including NAIOP and The Portland Business Journal.
As a landmark commercial hub in the city, Pine Street Market accommodates restaurant spaces as well as high-tech and creative workspaces. The firm’s design-build nature allowed it to provide a full-service delivery method and to lead the project’s architectural and general contracting team. One of the challenges to the work was to install new seismic upgrades while staying faithful to its historic architectural context.
INLINE Commercial Construction
18880 SW Shaw St. Aloha, OR 97007
INLINE Commercial Construction is one of the biggest general contractors serving the commercial market. The firm has been in the industry since 1983. As an established company that has a wide geographic reach, it serves all of Oregon and parts of Southwestern Washington. Building Design + Construction magazine featured some of the firm’s work for the public and private sectors. Large companies like KeyBank, as well as other institutions from the healthcare and academic industries, have relied on the firm’s full-service delivery method.
For telecommunications company Verizon, the firm led the remodeling and construction of Verizon Wireless’s Murray Scholls Town Center. The project for the 1,123-square-foot space involved upgrading all its interior finishes to align the design and color palette with the brand’s signature style. Including in the upgrades are a brand new ceiling grip, display cases, cabinets, carpets, and interior paint. A stock room, as well as a restroom at the rear part of the store, were also part of the work.
Lorentz Bruun Construction
3611 SE 20th Ave. #300, Portland, OR 97202
Lorentz Bruun Construction is a family-owned general contracting company that is currently on its third generation of leadership. The firm was established in 1946. Since then, it has developed its design-build delivery method to address the architecture, construction, and construction management needs of the commercial, residential, healthcare, industrial, and historic renovations industry. The firm also incorporates green construction practices into every project. The firm has recently been named one of the Top 100 Greenest Companies in Oregon, a recognition that came from the Oregon Business Journal. The same publication included the firm on its Top 100 Companies in Oregon ranking.
As a commercial general contractor, it has completed a long list of landmark projects in Oregon. In Portland, the firm led the 24th & Thurman project. The work included the revitalization of the 11,000-square-foot undeveloped industrial warehouse that was once used as an x-ray facility. The firm partnered with Skylab principal architect Jeff Kovel to transform the space into a more modern, expansive, structurally updated structure.
BnK Construction Inc.
45 82nd Dr. Suite #53B, Gladstone, OR 97027
Projects for the residential, commercial, retail, dental, and medical sectors make up a large percentage of BnK Construction’s portfolio. The firm started its general contracting practice over 25 years ago. Since then, it has helped local and national brands to conceptualize and construct spaces that represent their brands and their core vision. Bunk Sandwiches, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Blue Olive, 18/8 Men’s Salon, are just some of the organizations that have relied on the firm’s efficient and high-performing delivery method.
Another example of the company’s commercial construction work was completed for a Cold Stone Creamery restaurant. The construction of the restaurant space reflects the firm’s ability to deliver interior and exterior spaces that embody the unique brand of their client. The warm palette of beige serves as a soft canvas to the nostalgic and familiar colors of the store’s creations. Its contrasting lines of dark frames and metalworks hints at the ice cream parlor chain’s contrasting red and black branding. Its open layout promotes movement and provides a comfortable space for dining.
Essex General Construction Inc.
17400 SW 65th Ave. #100, Lake Oswego, OR 97035
Collaboration is at the center of Essex General Construction’s general contracting practice. Its process gives clients an opportunity to work together with entrepreneurs and developers to integrate their brands’ identities into every project. The company’s work for the residential, industrial, and commercial markets has been well-received by the building community since the firm’s inception in 1987. In recent years, Oregon Business Magazine featured the firm’s services, highlighting how it has gone above and beyond to support those less fortunate in the community.
One of the firm’s most interesting commercial projects was The Midtown building, located in Eugene’s midtown area. The project is a seven-story building with underground parking. It includes 40 luxury condominiums, the headquarters for the Eugene Ballet, and eight other performing arts organizations. Essex’s work on this project and others were recently honored by the Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon Community Trees for their efforts to preserve street trees. The firm saved all but two trees at this site. The two trees were milled and used for architectural clouds in the building. Additionally, Essex specializes in CMGC projects from Southwest Washington to Roseburg Oregon. Another project of note is The Overland in Tigard, Oregon. This mixed-use, multifamily project will provide 219 apartments.
Ordell Construction LLC
29771 E Enid Rd. Eugene, OR 97402
Ordell Construction delivers a wide array of services, including general contracting, metal building and metal distribution, steel fabrication, and concrete and drywall installation. This range of expertise has helped the firm complete a diverse portfolio of projects with varying complexity. As one of the most established general contractors for the commercial sector, the firm’s over 40 years of operations have allowed it to develop lifelong relationships with some of the biggest commercial brands in the country.
Retailer chain Bi-Mart, for instance, has been working with the firm since the 1960s. Together, they have produced more than 65 store locations across Oregon and throughout Washington. Some of its most unforgettable partnerships that exemplify the firm’s efficiency and familiarity with the brand’s quality standards are its countless pharmacy remodeling projects, each of which has been completed in a single night.
Russell Construction Inc.
20915 SW 105th Ave. Tualatin, OR 97062
Russell Construction delivers commercial general contracting services throughout the major cities of Portland Metro NW and other urban centers in the region. Since its inception in 1988, it has established a reputation for projects that champion sustainability, performance, and material efficiency. As a member of the USGBC, it has delivered projects that passed the LEED Gold Certification, a testament to its energy efficiency and eco-friendly practices.
The firm has worked with leading brands from a wide spectrum of industries. These include renowned retail and commercial brands, including GAP, Royal Oaks, and US Bank. Outside the region, the firm was the chosen contractor to perform the major remodeling upgrade of Washington’s 91,659-square-foot Moses Lake Town Center. The transformation and redesign helped the commercial center to accommodate four new retailers.
O’Brien and Company
208 NW 21st Ave. Suite #201, Portland, OR 97209
Established in 2011, O’Brien and Company launched its services as a general contractor that caters to the custom and complex needs of the commercial and residential sectors. The firm’s portfolio highlights wineries, breweries, hotels, retail and grocery spaces, as well as single-family residences found across Oregon and nearby cities. Using the latest in construction and design technology, it takes on architecturally and structurally demanding projects.
The firm’s Fresh Foods commercial project is one of its most commended works. The company led the architecture and construction teams for the client’s Cannon Beach location. The client already worked with the company in the past to complete the food brand’s Manzanita commercial center. Just like the first design-build project, the new store was designed with customers in mind. Instead of just being a typical grocery store where people shop, it accommodated a coffee bar and a soup bar where patrons can interact and spend time. The store also features stunning coastal views.
