Fueling future growth: Nicholas to expand auto dealership construction business with acquisition of JNC

The Nicholas Family of Companies has acquired Joseph Nicholas Construction Corp., a Schaumburg construction firm specializing in automotive dealerships.

JNC will relocate its Schaumburg headquarters to Nicholas’ Mount Prospect headquarters at 1001 Feehanville Drive. It will be under the umbrella of Nicholas & Associates, the construction division of the second-generation family business that has operated in Illinois, Wisconsin and Florida since 1978.

Nicholas & Associates is a construction management firm with activity in the recreation, municipal, education and mixed-use sectors. The name especially is known for its many school construction projects.

“When JNC came to us about a sale, we realized it presented a unique opportunity to bring a respected, well-established construction firm with a specialized niche into our organization,” said Chris Coleman, president of the Nicholas Family of Companies.

Coleman said the acquisition allows Nicholas & Associates to take on more car dealership construction projects.

Joey Mariconda, whose late father founded JNC in 2009, will join Nicholas & Associates as director of its newly formed automotive facility construction studio.

“There were so many similarities between our companies that this move felt like a natural fit,” Mariconda said. “Both businesses are second-generation, family-run operations in construction, and several subcontractors encouraged me to bring the idea to the Nicholas Family of Companies.”

Mariconda said joining Nicholas & Associates positions his firm to move to a national level.

“We will begin by focusing on Indiana, Wisconsin and Florida, but ultimately, we’ll selectively go where the work takes us and continue to raise the bar,” he said.

Nicholas & Associates previously has served as general contractor and construction manager for dealerships in Illinois and Minnesota.

“Automotive facility construction is a very niche market that relies on relationships,” Coleman said. “Once a manufacturer sees the quality of your work, it often recommends you to other dealers as they plan new projects. With this acquisition of JNC and their key personnel, we are getting an established, well-regarded player in the field that already has myriad national connections.”

The Nicholas Family of Companies portfolio includes Nicholas & Associates Inc., Wingspan Development Group, Spectate Group, and Big Fish Hospitality.

The Mount Prospect developer who is building ice rinks in Rosemont and Elk Grove Village also recently acquired the long-standing Glacier Ice Arena, a 63,000-square-foot, twin-sheet indoor rink at 670 Lakeview Parkway in Vernon Hills.

Nicholas is planning large-scale renovations to the 25-year-old building starting later this year and may add a restaurant in the future.