As the economic and cultural hub of the greater Delaware Valley, Philadelphia has an urban village landscape that puts its historic influences and modern potential in the spotlight. Throughout the city, upgraded and restored hundred-year-old buildings reminiscent of the city’s colonial history stand side-by-side with contemporary, sustainably-built, and energy-efficient high-rises that represent its future transformation. Partly responsible for shaping these cityscapes are the best mixed-use contractors in Philadelphia—contractors that helped individuals, developers, and entrepreneurs claim their place in this dynamic urban environment. The firms on the list below have completed landmarks and iconic buildings that redefined what is to live, work, and thrive in this exciting art, music, and business oasis. Our editorial team decided to feature a mix of both experienced and emerging firms that are recognized by the construction industry’s biggest institutions._
INTECH Construction
3020 Market St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
High-performing buildings that provide short-term and long-term values to developers and investors make up INTECH Construction’s mixed-use building portfolio. These projects emphasize quality and sustainability. Craig Sabatino and Will Schwartz founded this extensive practice over 30 years ago. Since then, the firm has dominated the industry’s commercial market. Engineering-News Record has consistently included the firm among its annual national and regional top contractors rankings. Philadelphia Business Journal and Urban Land are just two of the many publications that featured its works.
One of the firm’s most notable mix-used developments in Philadelphia is Lincoln Square. The 548,000-square-foot project involved the construction of a parking garage and a new tower. The firm was also tasked to renovate and complete an addition to the complex’s historic train shed building. Before breaking ground, the firm first took on the challenge of excavating and getting rid of the contaminated soil that had been sitting on the property for years. Once the hazardous dirt was hauled off-site, the construction green light was given. The project is commended for its architectural presence. It also played a vital role in the area’s economic development. For this reason, the firm earned the 2019 Economic Impact Award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia.
Clemens Construction Company
1435 Walnut St. Floor 2, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Clemens Construction company is one of the most established general contractors in Pennsylvania. The firm specializes in complex urban construction and infill projects for a wide spectrum of markets, including multifamily, hospitality, education, and institutional sectors. It was founded in 1979 and since then, the firm has earned awards in sustainability, historic preservation, and building. Its multi-awarded projects for mixed-use facilities are among the highlights of its practice. In recent years, the firm won several General Building Contractors Association (GBCA) awards and an Economic Impact Award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia.
The South Star Lofts located in Philadelphia’s historic district, Broad Street, is one of the firm’s most iconic mixed-use projects in the city. Completed in 2013 for Dranoff Properties, the building covers 120,000 square feet and houses apartments and retail space. The company partnered with JKRP Architects to design a commercial and residential facility that blends well with its existing cultural and architectural context. Green building methods and design were incorporated into the development. Upon completion, the building secured US Green Building Council’s LEED Silver certification.
McDonald Building Company
910 East Main St. Suite #101, Norristown, PA 19401
McDonald Building Company opened its doors in 2010 as an answer to the growing need for contractors that cater to the multifamily, healthcare, senior housing, commercial, and retail sectors. An emerging professional, the firm was among the 2015 Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies in Philadelphia. Much of its work caught the attention of industry entities, including the AIA that gave one of the firm’s projects the 2014 Awards of Excellence recognition. Paul McDonald established the company as a single-source solution that has the license and manpower to serve the entire Mid-Atlantic region.
One of the firm’s major projects is Jon Bon Jovi (JBJ) Soul Homes. It is a mixed-use facility that won the AIA Award of Excellence in recent years. The four-story development was a collaboration with the renowned architectural firm, Kitchen & Associates, and was built on a triangular property that accommodates retail space, commercial space, residential units, administrative offices, a fitness area, and a green, sustainable roof. Aside from its LEED-Silver certification, it was the first Energy-Star Multifamily High-Rise certified building in Philadelphia and the entire state of Pennsylvania.
Domus Construction
101 Limekiln Pike, Glenside, PA 19038
Academic, commercial, multi-residential, and hospitality construction projects fill Domus Construction’s portfolio—a dossier four decades in the making. Since C. Edward Hillis founded the company, the firm has delivered buildings that champion functionality, sustainability, and architectural excellence. The firm is recognized by industry leaders, including USGBC, AIA, and the Building Industry Association (BIA) of Philadelphia. One of its most commended projects in the city is the 40th Street Promenade.
The 40th Street Promenade is a 102,000-square-foot mixed-use building designed by Piatt Associates. The nine-story facility was built to accommodate retail units, rental apartments, and a gourmet restaurant. The concrete post-tension structure is a recognizable landmark due to its unique, visually-striking presence among the urban area’s high-rises. One of its technologically-advanced features is a rain-screen system on its exterior that acts as a drainage plane that protects the building from air and moisture.
Tester Construction Group
1541 Ridge Ave. Suite #1, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Tester Construction Group is an emerging general contracting and construction management company. Since its inception in 2017, the firm has produced landmark projects for the commercial, multifamily, and mixed-use markets in Philadelphia and Florida. Founder and principal Michael Tester, LEED AP, has a strong, 15-year background in construction and sustainable building. Under his leadership, the firm works with renowned developers from a wide range of sectors.
In the past, Development company Argo Property Group commissioned the firm to build The Fairview, a mixed-use facility in Philadelphia. The project involved the new construction of a five-story commercial building that houses commercial spaces, a basement-to-roof deck elevator system, and a high-end interior lobby and lounge area. The building also features a terracotta facade, groupings of tall, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a glass entrance that brings in a generous amount of daylight. The same light flows throughout the building’s interiors. Canno Design Associates designed the building, ensuring that its exteriors blend in seamlessly with the area’s existing architectural context.
