ICI BUILDS TRUST.
We are accountable, engaged and attentive so that we can earn your trust every step of the way.
ICI BUILDS CONFIDENCE.
Our vast experience and strong leadership will instill confidence and peace of mind.
ICI BUILDS PARTNERSHIPS.
We form a true partnership with our clients as we work to turn your vision into a reality.
ICI builds a lot more than buildings. Discover the difference.
80%
More than 80% of ICI’s projects are generated by repeat clients and referrals
10 Years
Continuously voted one of Chicago's Best and Brightest Companies to Work For™
10+
The average length of employment at ICI is 10 years
In the past 5 years, ICI has completed more than $200M in retail. Our portfolio includes grocery stores, big box, site developments, build-outs and shopping centers.
ICI has traveled the country building multiple locations for many well known restaurant groups: Cooper’s Hawk, Perry’s Steakhouse and Fogo de Chao to name a few.
In the past 5 years, ICI has completed more than $50M in auto dealership work. Our portfolio includes new dealerships, renovations and expansions.
From new corporate headquarters, to data centers, to banks; ICI has successfully partnered with workplace clients for nearly 40 years.
In recent years, ICI has built new schools, renovated and expanded existing schools and completed life safety upgrades totaling more than $300M in construction volume.
From a $40M new construction College of Business building, to interior renovations, to expansions of existing learning environments; ICI’s university portfolio is strong.
• Own It.
• Do right by ICI Teammates, clients and industry peers.
• Create experts.
• Care and be honest.
• Have fun.
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TRUE CONSTRUCTION EXPERIENCE
Learn “hands-on” at an active job site.
BE CHALLENGED
You will have your own unique assignments from Day 1.
ENGAGE WITH MANAGEMENT
Expect 1:1 interactions with ICI’s leadership team.
BE MENTORED & GROW
Learn from industry experts and each other at weekly jobsite presentations.
BUILD LASTING RELATIONSHIPS
You will be a respected member of our team and will have fun!
Voted one of Chicago’s 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For™ five years in a row!
You’ll be part of a great team that provides the support and mentoring you desire.
International Contractors, Inc. (ICI) is a family-owned construction management and general contracting business in its second generation of leadership. Since 1982, ICI has completed award-winning restaurants, retail stores, schools, car dealership and workplaces.
Our team of more than 60 has been carefully assembled throughout the years and the formula has proven successful: the average length of employment for an ICI team member exceeds 10 years. ICI employs 2 of only 26 Certified Professional Estimators in Illinois, 9 LEED Accredited Professionals, 27 SWPPP Certified staff and 1 Certified Professional Constructor.
ICI was founded in 1982 by Richard Bronge and his eldest son, Randall. Two years later, Richard’s middle son Bruce joined the business, followed by his youngest son Jeff in 1988. Richard has since retired and the firm is now in its second generation of leadership. Bruce is ICI’s President, Randall is the Chief Operating Officer and Jeff has been with the estimating department for more than 25 years.
COOPER’S HAWK WINERY & RESTAURANTS WALTER FISHER, VP CONSTRUCTION
It helps the working relationship tremendously to know the people on the other side of the table. ICI knows our concept inside and out. Our team relies on strong partners that align with our Cooper’s Hawk values.
CLIENT Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants
ARCHITECT
Aria Group Architects
ROLE Construction Manager
In November 2019, ICI completed on a new flagship location for Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants in the former Esquire Theater in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood. Cooper’s Hawk took over the space after Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse shuttered the location. ICI was retained for the remodel due to our existing relationship with the restauranteur and familiarity with the building; having completed a remodel of the space for Del Frisco’s just one year prior.
The tri-level 24,000 square foot space includes polished wood wall panels and floors, touches of brass and grey metal and a stunning chandelier centered within the space. The restaurant includes a three-story wine tower, retail space and an open kitchen.
Construction within the urban location and inside the iconic Esquire Theater presented several challenges. For instance, the building has no service elevator so anything brought to the second or third floor had to move up the stairs or be hoisted in from the outside. [CONT.’D]
CLIENT The Exchange Auto Group
ARCHITECT Charles Vincent George Architects
ROLE Construction Manager
Building upon an existing relationship, ICI was awarded the new Audi Exchange in Highland Park, Illinois in early 2018. ICI partnered with multiple parties throughout the preconstruction process and completed pricing and phasing options on 17 iterations of the dealership model ranging in scope from $10 million to $55 million. The extensive effort eventually led ownership to a solution that blends renovated/expanded elements of the existing campus with additional new construction components.
During the bidding process, ICI managed complex trade contractor bid packages that allowed the client to select from 39 different “a la carte” options. Additionally, our team coordinated, expedited and managed the permitting process for more than 15 municipal permits. Lastly, ICI coordinated the burial of overhead cabling. [CONT.’D]
[CONT.’D] The 6 acre dealership campus contains four buildings and a car display plaza. The aforementioned four buildings are renovated and expanded versions of existing structures. ICI completed structural updates and the installation of a second floor within the existing 70-year-old masonry building on campus. Additionally, Audi brand updates were incorporated throughout the campus structures; including double wall ‘honeycomb’ metal panel systems, large format tiles, extensive metal ceilings and an indoor display area. ICI also performed all necessary structural modifications to allow for an all-glass staircase in the existing showroom.
The display plaza on campus is new construction and contains a 3,000 square foot cantilevered roof structure with a tiered retaining wall system.The 6 acre site underwent significant infrastructure upgrades consisting of 1.5 acre feet of underground detention, site lighting, curbs, asphalt and landscaping as well as ¼ mile of Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) road-widening and utility modifications. ICI phased the project into nine segments to minimize disruption to operations.
CLIENT Fields Auto Group
ARCHITECT
JRB Group Architects
ROLE Construction Manager
In 2022, ICI completed a new construction 30,000 square foot Mercedes-Benz dealership in Asheville, North Carolina for the Fields Auto Group. The former Mercedes-Benz was operating out of a shared facility with Mazda and Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram brands and the format no longer met the Fields Auto Group’s needs. The multi-brand dealership remained in operation throughout construction and then Mercedes-Benz subsequently moved into the newly completed free-standing facility.
Stand-out features of the new facility include electric vehicle charging stations for customers, inventory, and employees; a full-service kitchen/café with solid surface countertops and beech wood veneer cabinets, a lounge area, and a retail sales boutique.
Elmhurst, Illinois
CLIENT Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205
ARCHITECT Wight & Co.
ROLE Construction Manager
ICI began our partnership with Elmhurst CUSD 205 in 2017, one year prior to the District passing a multi-year master facility plan referendum. Following an extensive district-wide preconstruction effort for the $168.5 million referendum, ICI presented CUSD 205 with various renovation, expansion, and new construction options for all schools within the District. Lincoln Elementary School was among those evaluated and the District opted to replace the existing 100+ year old school.
ICI served as construction manager for the 79,380 square foot, two-level 21st century learning environment. Demolition of the existing school took place in June 2021. The new school was then built on the same site and opened in time for the 2022/23 school year. Students were temporarily displaced to other schools within the District during construction. ICI overcame several logistical challenges throughout the course of construction: the site was positioned within the heart of the community and is surrounded on all four sides with two-lane streets and residential homes. [CONT.’D]
The building is organized into three distinct sections. The media center and dining commons will occupy the heart of the school and serve as the connective backbone between all program spaces. An ample amount of daylight penetrates these areas. Enrichment studios for the sciences and arts are positioned adjacent to these larger areas to share common resources. Grade level “neighborhoods” are placed on two floors and are configured to create their own identity within the context of the facility. Additionally, the building received LEED Silver Certification designated by the U.S. Green Building Council. A number of sustainable initiatives are incorporated into the building: green roof area, permeable paver systems and low-emitting construction materials.
ARCHITECT SPM Architects
ROLE Construction Manager
East Leyden High School was built over 90 years ago. Although the building was diligently maintained and updated throughout the years, the District felt it was time to prepare the facility for the next 100 years. ICI was retained as Construction Manager to implement significant enhancements throughout the school and the project was successfully completed in early 2020.
The renovation scope of work included creating a new safe and secure main student entrance with a dedicated bus lane. The new lane and entry allows students to move safely and easily between buses and the school entry. Within the school, students experience a large, new cafeteria and student commons area. With a capacity of 650 students, the new cafeteria allows the District to reduce the number of lunch periods from five to three; thus improving the students’ schedules. The new cafeteria features a mezzanine level offering a student-run coffee bar as well as athletic offices and meeting rooms. The project incorporates several sustainable features including a green [CONT.’D]
CLIENT Leyden High School District 212[CONT.’D] roof area. A greenhouse is also connected to the cafeteria – providing an additional “hands on” learning environment for science classes.
The project also included an expansion that houses a new aquatic center. The facility includes two pools – one for competitive swimming and a second for diving and swim lessons. Patrons have access to an elevated seating area. Also included in the expansion is a fine arts wing. The new wing brings the choral and instrumental music rooms and the practice rooms together. The wing houses additional multipurpose space and an additional classroom. Last, a new preschool and daycare are included in the addition.
Upon completion of these spaces, ICI renovated several existing areas within the building: a new girls locker room adjacent to the fieldhouse and four new science labs subsequently built in place of the girls locker room. The existing East Leyden pool was also renovated and converted into a new wrestling practice room. One of the most remarkable enhancements to the school is a courtyard created by the addition.
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois
CLIENT Lakeside Bank
ARCHITECT
Pappageorge Haymes Partners
ROLE Construction Manager
Lakeside Bank operates branches throughout Chicago and in several of the surrounding suburbs. ICI is serving as the bank’s construction manager as they undergo a regional expansion.
The Lakeside Oakbrook Terrace branch began construction in the fall of 2020 and was completed in early summer 2021. In addition to standard banking center components, the two-story, 8,491 square foot facility houses offices and meeting space for the bank’s leadership team. The facility offers a drive-through along the western edge of the building and parking is located on the northern portion of the site.
ICI also recently completed a two-story, 6,344 square foot branch in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood.
The Mariano’s Fresh Market in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood was built within a development on a site that had been vacant since 2005 due to a fire that destroyed the existing Dominick’s. The development is called 3030 North Broadway and is a 260,000 square foot new mixed-use, multi-story retail development that also houses a fitness center, two levels of decked parking totaling 245 parking spaces and the 7,500 square feet of small retail stores on the ground level.
ICI was contracted to build-out the 73,000 square foot Mariano’s Fresh Market, occupying both the first and second levels. The development marked ICI’s third Mariano’s store; having completed a ground up store in Orland Park, Illinois and the build-out of the Ravenswood store. ICI went on to build another new construction store in Lombard, Illinois. The development opened in summer 2016 and transformed this formerly longvacant site into a pedestrian-friendly “town square” dynamic.
CLIENT