In 1891, Frederick Bulley, a 21-year-old English stone mason, partnered with Alfred Andrews, an architect. Four generations and 120 years later, the modest, two man operation has become one of the most successful and well-respected general contracting firms in Chicago.
This year, Bulley & Andrews is proud to celebrate 120 years in business. The family-owned and operated general contractor attributes this significant milestone to the strong foundation built decades ago on honesty, integrity, and service in construction. The firm will celebrate the momentous occasion by hosting an open-house gathering for clients, partners and friends of the firm at the Chicago Club on Thursday, October 13, 2011.
Chairman and CEO, Allan E. Bulley, Jr., and President, Allan E. Bulley, III are the third and fourth generations, respectively, to lead Bulley & Andrews. Yet, family pride and commitment to the firm extends far beyond ownership.
Today, Bulley & Andrews’ annual revenues exceed $210 million and the company employs approximately 70 project management and administrative staff as well as over 200 field personnel. As a self-performing contractor, B&A employs a number of tradesmen whose family histories with the organization span generations and include fathers, grandfathers, brothers and sisters, many of whom have been with the organization for over 25 years.
Significant events in the company’s history include the establishment of Bulley & Andrews Masonry Restoration, LLC, in 2005. Known as BAMR, the group oversees and performs all services necessary to maintain, protect and preserve a building’s exterior. Five years later, in 2010, Bulley & Andrews acquired the assets of Takao Nagai Associates to develop the subsidiary known as Takao Nagai Concrete Restoration. Their concrete repair and waterproofing expertise complements Bulley & Andrews’ extensive restoration experience.
Over the past 120 years, the company has built and restored many of Chicago’s most significant landmarks. Late in 1941, Bulley & Andrews was commissioned by the Atomic Energy Commission to build the laboratory space for the Manhattan Project. Located beneath Stagg Field at The University of Chicago, the project was built in complete secrecy. Decades later, Bulley & Andrews has helped to construct McDonald’s corporate campus in Oak Brook, Ill., restore Frank Lloyd Wright’s famed Robie House and maintain and expand S&C Electric’s campus on the northside. The firm is currently building the world’s largest Ronald McDonald House in downtown Chicago. BD+C
Related Stories
Sponsored | Building Enclosure Systems | May 16, 2023
4 steps to a better building enclosure
Dividing the outside environment from the interior, the building enclosure is one of the most important parts of the structure. The enclosure not only defines the building’s aesthetic, but also protects occupants from the elements and facilitates a comfortable, controlled climate. With dozens of components comprising the exterior assemblies, from foundation to cladding to roof, figuring out which concerns to address first can be daunting.
Multifamily Housing | May 16, 2023
Legislators aim to make office-to-housing conversions easier
Lawmakers around the country are looking for ways to spur conversions of office space to residential use.cSuch projects come with challenges such as inadequate plumbing, not enough exterior-facing windows, and footprints that don’t easily lend themselves to residential use. These conditions raise the cost for developers.
Headquarters | May 16, 2023
Workplace HQ for party clothing company Shinesty celebrates its bold, whimsical products
The new Denver headquarters for Shinesty, a party clothing company, was designed to match the brand’s fun image with an iconic array of colors, textures, and prints curated by the design agency, Maximalist. Shinesty’s mission, to challenge the world to live more freely and “take itself less seriously,” is embodied throughout the office interior.
Office Buildings | May 15, 2023
Sixteen-story office tower will use 40% less energy than an average NYC office building
This month marks the completion of a new 16-story office tower that is being promoted as New York City’s most sustainable office structure. That boast is backed by an innovative HVAC system that features geothermal wells, dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) units, radiant heating and cooling, and a sophisticated control system to ensure that the elements work optimally together.
Life of an Architect Podcast | May 15, 2023
Life of an Architect Podcast Ep. 125: What Makes a Great Employee?
How do you define a great employee? The answer is most likely dependent on who is attempting to respond: the employee or the employer. Life of an Architect's Bob Borson, FAIA, and Andrew Hawkins, AIA, talk about the traits and characteristics of great employees.
K-12 Schools | May 12, 2023
In Virginia, a new high school building helps reimagine the experience for 1,600 students
In Virginia, the City of Alexandria recently celebrated the topping out of a new building for Alexandria City High School. When complete in 2025, the high-performance structure will accommodate 1,600 students.
University Buildings | May 11, 2023
New ‘bold and twisting’ building consolidates School of Continuing Studies at York University
The design of a new building that consolidates York University’s School of Continuing Studies into one location is a new architectural landmark at the Toronto school’s Keele Campus. “The design is emblematic of the school’s identity and culture, which is centered around accelerated professional growth in the face of a continuously evolving labor market,” according to a news release from Perkins&Will.
Sustainability | May 11, 2023
Let's build toward a circular economy
Eric Corey Freed, Director of Sustainability, CannonDesign, discusses the values of well-designed, regenerative buildings.
Hotel Facilities | May 9, 2023
A new camping destination near Utah’s Zion National Park offers a variety of all-season lodgings and amenities
Outdoor lodging brand AutoCamp has opened a new camping destination near Utah’s Zion National Park. A 16-acre property, AutoCamp Zion is located between the Virgin River and the desert of Southern Utah.
Headquarters | May 9, 2023
New Wells Fargo development in Texas will be bank’s first net-positive campus
A new Wells Fargo development in the Dallas metroplex will be the national bank’s first net-positive campus, expected to generate more energy than it uses. The 850,000-sf project on 22 acres will generate power from solar panels and provide electric vehicle charging stations.
