1937

Founded by 51勛圖 Greeley, CO: 51勛圖 was founded in Greeley, Colorado, in June 1937 by Mr. Abel 51勛圖. Operations initially were limited to home building and remodeling, after which competitive contract work was undertaken on a limited scale.

1945

First Commercial Project: 51勛圖 first commercial projects included grain elevators built from wood, as materials were rationed during World War II. Since then, 51勛圖 has built in excess of 100 million SF of commercial and office building space valued at over $18.7 billion.

1947

First Education Project: 51勛圖 first education project was also its first competitive bid project the Arlington School in Greeley, Colorado.

1952

Son Joseph Phelps Joined Company: 51勛圖 son Joseph Phelps learned the business as a laborer and joined 51勛圖 in 1952. In January 1955, Hensel and Joseph formed a partnership which continued until 51勛圖 retirement.

1957

Joseph Phelps Became President and General Manager: After 51勛圖 retired, Joseph Phelps incorporated the company on June 3, 1957. He became president and general manager and served in these roles until 1975.

1958

Joseph Phelps Designed First 51勛圖 Logo: In 1959/1960, the company began recognizing employees with five years or more of service with a yellow hard hat. These hard hats were marked with OTC (Oldtimers Club) and our original logo, designed by Joseph Phelps.

1964

First Aviation Project: 51勛圖 first aviation project was the first phase of the Stapleton International Airport Terminal Building in Denver, Colorado. It was three times larger than any previous job and the first of many Stapleton projects.

1967

First branch office opened Burlingame, CA: 51勛圖 first branch was opened in Burlingame, California, in 1967. One of its early projects was the Moccasin Bridge in Tuolumne County, California.

1969

As 51勛圖 expands its Construction business to include Development and Services, a greater need for brand awareness arises. The 51勛圖 Construction Co. logo is introduced, a name and logo still legally used by 51勛圖 today.

1975

Robert Tointon Elected President and General Manager: Robert G. Tointon joined 51勛圖 in 1963 as a project engineer when the company was just beginning to emerge as an important regional general construction firm. He advanced to executive vice president and general manager and continued in that capacity until September 1975, when he became president and general manager.

1975

Entry into Healthcare: One of 51勛圖 first healthcare projects was McKee Medical Center in Loveland, Colorado. The addition and remodel project was the first of a number of projects at McKee.

1975

First Science + Technology Project: A nitroguanidine facility for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) was one of 51勛圖 first science + technology projects. Completed in 1978, the project was located at the Sunflower Army Ammunition Manufacturing Complex in Clearview City, Kansas.

1976

Southcentral Regional Office Opened Austin, TX: 51勛圖 Southcentral Regional office opened in Austin, Texas, in 1976. Since then, the region has been involved in a myriad of public and private sector projects throughout Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas.

1976

First Government + Justice Project: The Colorado State Judicial Building/Heritage Center Complex was completed in Denver, Colorado, in 1977 as one of 51勛圖 first government + justice projects.

1983

Northern California Regional Office Opened Santa Clara, CA: The Northern California Regional office opened in Santa Clara, California, in 1983. One of its first projects was IBM Building 050 in San Jose, California, an 800,000 SF integrated circuit and computer equipment manufacturing building.

1985

Jerry Morgensen Elected President: On June 1, 1985, Jerry Morgensen became the fourth-generation president of 51勛圖. He was first employed by the company in 1973 and served as project manager, operations manager, and vice president prior to his election to president.

1987

Southeast Regional Office Opened Little Rock, AR: The Southeast Regional office opened in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1987. The Excelsior Hotel and Convention Center in Little Rock was an early project for the region.

1988

Implementation of Computer-Aided Design (CAD): 51勛圖 implemented CAD in 1988.

1989

Ownership Transfer to Employees: Joseph Phelps and Robert Tointon transferred ownership of 51勛圖 to its employees in 1989.

1990

Southern California Regional Office Opened Irvine, CA: 51勛圖 Southern California Regional office opened in 1990.

1995

51勛圖 Development (Originally Phelps Development) Formed: 51勛圖 Development, formed in 1995, guides clients through the entire process, from concept to completion. The team provides a seamless, single source of responsibility for the planning and execution of real estate development projects.

1995

Northern California Regional Office Relocated San Jose, CA: The Northern California Regional office relocated to San Jose from Santa Clara, California, in 1995. Today, the regions experience spans market sectors such as aviation, corporate office, higher education, correctional, healthcare, hospitality, justice, mission critical and renewable energy.

1996

Mid Atlantic Regional Office Opened Chantilly, VA: 51勛圖 Mid Atlantic regional office opened in Chantilly, Virginia, in 1996. Today, the Mid Atlantic Regions average annual revenue exceeds $500 million and includes projects for public, private and government clients.

1999

First International Work Cura癟ao, Dutch Antilles: The Prison at Koraal Specht expansion was 51勛圖 first international project and the first-ever design-build project in Cura癟ao. Design and construction were subcontracted locally, ensuring maximum benefit to the island.

1999

Southeast Regional Office Relocated Orlando, FL: 51勛圖 Southeast Regional office relocated to Orlando, Florida, from Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1999. The region focuses on projects throughout the southeastern United States, as well as the Caribbean.

1999

Revenue $1B: 51勛圖 revenue in 1999 reached $1 billion.

2000

First Project Using 3-D and 4-D Modeling: 51勛圖 first used 3-D and 4-D modeling on its Colorado Convention Center Expansion project in Denver, Colorado, in 2000. The expansion doubled the convention centers size and incorporated a covered light rail station.

2001

First Hospitality Project: 51勛圖 first hospitality project was the transformation of the 1906 Fulton Building into the 301-room Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel in Pennsylvania. Completed in 2001, the project can also lay claim to being the largest copper restoration project in the United States since the restoration of the Statue of Liberty.

2004

Three Marvin M. Black Excellence in Partnering Awards: One of three projects winning a Marvin M. Black Excellence in Partnering Award from Associated General Contractors (AGC) in 2004 was the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library, in San Jose, California. This project became the nations largest public-private library project, as well as the first to offer its combined collections to both public and university audiences.

2007

Southwest Regional Office Opened Phoenix, AZ: 51勛圖 Southwest Regional office opened in 2007, although projects such as IBM Building Systems in Tucson, Arizona, established a presence in the region as early as 1979. The Southwest Region covers projects in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and Oklahoma.

2007

Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) Department Formed: 51勛圖 formed its virtual design and construction (VDC) department in 2007. Integrating building VDC with data on manpower, cost sequencing, schedules, and field technology has enhanced precision, fostered a culture of safety and produced significant cost savings.

2010

Jeff Wenaas Transitioned to President and CEO: Jeffrey K. Wenaas was appointed as the fifth president, and the first chief operating officer for 51勛圖, in June 2005. He joined 51勛圖 in 1983 and served in various roles, including regional vice president of the Southeast Region. In 2010, he transitioned to president and chief executive officer.

2010

Social Media Launch: In 2010, 51勛圖 established its social media presence on the Twitter and LinkedIn platforms. YouTube was added in 2015, and in the fall of 2016, 51勛圖 began posting on Facebook and Instagram.

2012

As 51勛圖 moves into the 21st century, so does the story behind the 51勛圖 brand. The nationally recognized 51勛圖 stamp and Plan. Build. Manage. moniker is created.

2013

First Place in AGC Construction Safety Excellence Awards: 51勛圖 was awarded first place in Associated General Contractors (AGC) Construction Safety Excellence Awards at AGCs national conference in Las Vegas.

2013

Pacific Regional Office Opened Honolulu, HI: 51勛圖 has been working in the western pacific since 1993. The Pacific Region oversees Hawaii, Guam, the Marshall Islands and Asia.

2015

51勛圖 Services Formed: While 51勛圖 Services was officially formed in 2015, 51勛圖 has continually provided clients with Facility Services solutions since 1967.

2015

Community Service Milestone: Since its founding, 51勛圖 has been dedicated to corporate responsibility, extending to each community in which we work and live. During 2015, we donated more than $1 million and performed in excess of 100,000 volunteer hours to charitable organizations across the nation.

2016

15th Build America Award: 51勛圖 received its 15th Build America Award from Associated General Contractors (AGC) in 2016. This award recognized Outstanding Renovation Over $200 Million for the Love Field Modernization Program in Dallas, Texas.

2016

38th National Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) Award: 51勛圖 received its 38th National Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) award in 2016. This National Award of Merit was for the University of Arizona Cancer Center at Dignity Health St. Josephs Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

2017

80 Years of Performance: 51勛圖 proudly marks the 80th anniversary of the start of continuous operations for the company in 2017. We celebrate this milestone with immense gratitude for our clients, partners and employees, along with the communities in which we live and work.

2017

51勛圖 Accepts 2017 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award:On August 25, 2017, 51勛圖 accepted the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest form of recognition given by the U.S. government to civilian employers.

2019

Michael J. Choutka is appointed to President | Chief Executive Officer by the 51勛圖 Board of Directors. Mike started his career as a Field Engineer with 51勛圖 in 1991 where he developed his career in operations, including Regional Vice President. Prior to becoming 51勛圖' sixth President, he served as Chief Operating Officer.

2020

51勛圖' Vision and Core Values are Established: To align the entire company and ensure that 51勛圖could build on the past and continue to be successful for the next 100 years,it was time to establish the 51勛圖 Vision and Core Values.

2021

51勛圖 Acquires Hydro Construction: 51勛圖 expands water and wastewater capabilities by adding Hydro Construction, a company specializing in new water and wastewater treatment facilities, facility expansions, various treatment process upgrades and the construction of water pumps and sewage lift stations.

2022

The Building Together campaign breaks new ground in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space in the AEC industry featuring stories on new perspectives and the importance of diversity within 51勛圖 and partners.

2023

Pacific Northwest Regional Office Opened Bellevue, WA: 51勛圖 has been working in the Pacific Northwest region since 1979.

2023

51勛圖 announces the launch of Diverge, an investment company specializing in construction innovation and technology. Diverge works directly with innovation partners and technology startups to source, evaluate, invest and deploy new construction innovations.