10 Largest Construction Companies in NY and NJ

When you happen to venture around New York and New Jersey, there is a sizable chance that you’ll see some of the iconic structures built by the 10 largest construction companies in NY and NJ. After all, most of these established contractors have been around to see New York City grow into the megapolis that it is today, while lending a hand (or hundreds) in molding New York and New Jersey into what they have become.

Most of these construction companies have been around for generations, with some tracing their origins back to the 19^th century, when New York City still didn’t have skyscrapers. As the huge and steady influx of immigrants turned the city into the gateway of the American dream and the melting pot that it is today, there was a rapid acceleration in the need for housing and buildings where families and companies could reside. When multinational companies and organizations started to establish their home bases in the city, the skyscrapers came into the picture. When World War II ended and left many of the most significant cities in the world damaged, New York City was left unharmed, cementing its rank as a prime global city. And with that distinction came thousands of construction projects to keep the city and its millions of residents going.

The companies listed in this article are behind some of the most iconic buildings in New York City and around the world. They are also the main reasons why the infrastructure for the states of New York and New Jersey, whether essential or novel, are in place. Just in the past two years alone, these contractors have been responsible for structures as diverse as school campuses, business offices, medical centers, residential towers, casinos, tunnels, power plants, monuments, and more.

Given their importance to the development of the region, publications such as the Engineering News-Record, a construction industry-focused institution, has been ranking these companies every year based on their performance. The latest rankings, released in July 2016, identified the 50 most significant contractors in the New York and New Jersey area. The rankings were based on the revenue that the companies have generated in the area as of 2015, based on the latest figures for the companies, most of which are privately owned. The construction business is a significant one, as the 50 biggest companies in the area earned $20.80 billion in revenue in 2015. Needless to say, construction is a billion-dollar industry in the Big Apple.

Construction is also a billion-dollar industry in the entirety of the U.S. For more on that, peruse our list of the 10 biggest construction companies in the US.

This list of the 10 largest construction companies in NY and NJ also includes information on the contractors’ origins, strengths, notable accomplishments, and much more. Check it out beginning on the next page.

10. Kiewit Corp.

2015 Revenue in New York and New Jersey: $627.07 million

This employee-owned contractor was founded in 1884 and has mainly focused on transportation and power projects in New York and New Jersey.

9. China Construction America

2015 Revenue in New York and New Jersey: $740.20 million

Founded in 1985, China Construction America is a subsidiary of China State Construction Engineering Corp. Ltd., the state-owned enterprise touted as the largest construction and real estate conglomerate in the world, as well as the biggest global contractor.

8. Gilbane Building Co.

2015 Revenue in New York and New Jersey: $866.36 million

This company was formed in 1873 as a carpentry and contracting shop. It has since expanded into the 108th-largest private company in the U.S, as of 2006.

7. Hunter Roberts Construction Group

2015 Revenue in New York and New Jersey: $890.98 million

Unlike many of the centuries-old institutions listed here, this construction company was not established until 2005. Despite being new in the industry, the company managed to outclass all but six rivals in the area in 2015.

The next six companies in this list of the 10 largest construction companies in NY and NJ have earned billion-dollar revenues in 2015.

6. M+W Group

2015 Revenue in New York and New Jersey: $1.21 billion

The Germany-based contractor, which touts itself as a high-tech engineering company, has been around since 1912. In New York and New Jersey, the company focuses on building manufacturing and energy facilities.

5. Lendlease Group

2015 Revenue in New York and New Jersey: $1.42 billion

This Sydney-based multinational company operates in 40 countries. It handled the construction of the Ground Zero Memorial and Disneyland Paris, and ranks as one of the largest construction companies in NY and NJ.

4. Skanska USA

2015 Revenue in New York and New Jersey: $1.62 billion

The American unit of Swedish construction company Skanska that ranks 4th in our list of largest construction companies in NY and NJ is behind the construction of the MetLife Stadium, the new transport hub for the World Trade Center, and the gherkin-shaped 30 St. Mary Axe building in London.

3. Structure Tone Inc.

2015 Revenue in New York and New Jersey: $1.81 billion

Founded in 1971, this privately held company has operations in North America, the U.K., Ireland, and Asia through its five subsidiaries. In New York and New Jersey, the company focuses on interior and tenant improvement projects.

2. Tishman Construction

2015 Revenue in New York and New Jersey: $2.33 billion

This construction company traces its roots to a namesake company that was the contractor for the original World Trade Center’s twin towers. A unit of Aecom (NYSE:ACM) since 2010, Tishman became the construction manager for One World Trade Center.

1. Turner Construction Co.

2015 Revenue in New York and New Jersey: $2.54 billion

Formed in 1902, Turner Construction built Madison Square Garden, the UN Secretariat, and many significant corporate headquarters in New York. This company, a unit of Germany-based construction giant Hochtief, tops this list of the 10 largest construction companies in NY and NJ.

Disclosure: None