Evolving from a small interior home contracting business established by a Swedish immigrant in 1927 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Shannon Construction has grown into a leading construction management firm with a presence across the state through strategic, measured expansion. Today, the company is a leader in commercial office, higher education, laboratory, healthcare, industrial, and retail construction, specializing in complex projects. With a proud history of growth and continuous improvement, the team remains committed to propelling the company into a new era.
Always exploring new ways to enhance customer service, Shannon Construction approaches preconstruction with the same level of attention to detail as the construction phase itself. By guiding project owners beyond their initial expectations, the team has refined its services into a sophisticated offering that fosters long-term client relationships, often spanning decades.
“We try to help customers ensure that the space they’re going to end up with will meet their needs,” says Ken Schultz, President, emphasizing the importance of identifying potential issues early. “In this way, we believe we provide more value than someone who simply quotes the drawings,” he adds. As a Purdue University graduate in Construction Management, Schultz has overseen more than $2 billion in completed projects across a wide range of sectors.
Shannon Construction considers strong relationships with subcontractors essential to its long-term success. These partnerships are cultivated with care, treating subcontractors as valued collaborators rather than transactional vendors. Schultz likens construction teams to a symphony orchestra, where each trade is an instrument, playing a vital role in delivering a cohesive result. Many of these relationships span four to five decades, dating back to the company’s earliest days.
Committed to innovation, Shannon Construction invests in advanced technology to improve both its services and the client experience. The company utilizes 3D imaging for visualization and rendering, along with weekly video inspections to monitor progress. Building information modeling (BIM) is also leveraged during preconstruction, where laser scanning enables virtual walkthroughs and overlays engineering and architectural drawings to identify and resolve design conflicts early in the preconstruction process.
Founded by Schultz’s grandfather, a carpenter who became a developer-contractor in the United States, Shannon Construction is now welcoming its fourth generation of leadership. Christian Schultz, Director, holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, as well as an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University. He spent a decade in the medical device industry, building a strong foundation of professional experience and bringing a well-rounded perspective to the family business.
Construction runs deep in the Schultz family, and Ken is generous in sharing the knowledge gained over generations. “Construction is incredibly gratifying—being able to create something tangible that serves someone’s needs,” he says. From conceptualization and planning to building and delivery, the process is marked by meaningful collaboration. “There’s a real sense of satisfaction in seeing our hard work result in a useful product for the client,” he adds, noting that client success ultimately drives company success.
A non-negotiable principle at Shannon Construction is doing the right thing—regardless of convenience or cost. “Maintaining our organizational ethos and the relationships we have with our clients in a way that our ancestors would be proud of is important to us,” says Christian Schultz. For the company, upholding time-honored values is just as critical as technical execution.
The company also remains deeply committed to supporting its communities. Contributions include natural disaster relief efforts, repair work for nonprofit organizations, and support for initiatives such as Stockings for Soldiers, March of Dimes, and the Boy Scouts of America.
Sustainability is another key focus. Shannon Construction works closely with clients to promote energy-efficient solutions and long-term operational performance. “HVAC systems are a major driver today,” Ken explains. “It used to be lighting, but now heating and cooling demand significantly more energy.” The company addresses this by improving building airtightness and increasing insulation, supported by a team of professionals who collaborate with engineers and architects to deliver high-performance buildings.
The firm also brings significant expertise to complex construction management projects, including public-sector and multi-prime work. Notably, Shannon Construction has completed multiple Family Service Centers for the second-largest public school in Pennsylvania. These projects, typically ranging from $10 million to $50 million, require extensive coordination and documentation. “Multi-prime projects demand a deeper level of management than traditional general contracting,” Ken explains. Many of these projects involve the adaptive reuse of former office buildings or school structures, resulting in modern, dynamic service centers that support collaboration and learning for students and their families.
Shannon Construction has built a strong reputation for revitalizing historic structures and modernizing legacy facilities, blending craftsmanship with contemporary performance standards across the Mid-Atlantic. One of Shannon’s most notable historic renovations is the transformation of 412 Boulevard of the Allies, a nearly century-old landmark in downtown Pittsburgh. Originally home to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, the building underwent a full core-and-shell redevelopment (~157,000 square feet) and has been repositioned as Class A mixed-use space, featuring high-end fitness amenities, conference facilities, and modern collaboration and meeting areas.
Historic renovations hold particular significance for the company, as they preserve community heritage while creating new opportunities. One such project is the Cambria Iron Works redevelopment in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where Shannon Construction helped stabilize and restore a long-vacant structure that now serves as a school for iron arts. “We’re helping revive an important part of Pennsylvania’s history,” says Alexis McCormick, Marketing Manager. The building, which survived devastating floods in the 1800s before sitting vacant for decades, now stands as a testament to regional resilience and preservation.
To maintain quality and cost control, Shannon Construction self-performs a significant portion of its demolition and carpentry work. At the same time, its longstanding subcontractor relationships ensure seamless collaboration across all projects.
Looking ahead, the company aims to grow revenue by 10 to 12 percent annually while expanding its service offerings and geographic footprint across the Mid-Atlantic. By continuing to build strong client relationships and executing projects with care and integrity, Shannon Construction is well-positioned for sustained success.
