Chicago-based builder McHugh Construction has selected former Lendlease executive Kinjal Patel to lead the firm as its next president, the contractor said in a May 17 news release share with Construction Dive.
Patel, in his new role as president, will grow and diversify McHugh’s construction business in Chicago and other cities by tapping into his strong client relationships, per the release. He will also pursue a range of new-construction, renovation and adaptive reuse projects spanning the multifamily, hospitality, sports and entertainment, healthcare and medical office and light industrial sectors.
The firm, founded in 1897 by Irish bricklayer James D. McHugh, offers services ranging from preconstruction to general contracting, and also has a hand in virtual design and construction work, according to its website. It has built some of Chicago’s most iconic structures, including the rounded twin towers of the Marina City complex with their curved, semi-circular balconies, which were the tallest reinforced concrete structures in the world when they opened in 1968.
More recently, McHugh was responsible for the renovation of the historic Romova Theatre in Chicago this past February, and work on 1000M, a 73-story luxury apartment tower near the city’s Grant Park, which it topped out in August 2023.
Before joining McHugh, Patel spent nearly 20 years with Lendlease, where he was promoted several times and eventually led the Chicago construction business as executive general manager. He’ll succeed Michael Meagher, who now serves on McHugh’s board of directors.
“His ability to assemble diverse project teams, source new business and implement the latest construction innovations will be invaluable to our growth both locally and nationally,” said Patricia McHugh, the fourth-generation leader and chairman of McHugh Construction, about Patel in the release.