Office will mark the firm’s fourth U.S. location, expanding its presence in Midwest

Nicholas & Associates, the construction management and general contracting arm of Nicholas Family of Companies, today announced it will be opening its fourth U.S. office, Nicholas East in Indiana. The company has hired Mark Garrison as vice president of Nicholas East to help expand its construction footprint in the state and is currently scouting office sites in Westfield, Ind., a suburb of Indianapolis. Nicholas & Associates’ headquarters is located in Mount Prospect, Ill, which serves the Chicagoland area, while Nicholas North focuses on Wisconsin and Nicholas South is located in Florida.

One of Nicholas Family of Companies’ largest projects in Indiana is Westfield Ice Facility, a multi-sheet indoor ice facility in Westfield featuring a pro shop and a range of indoor and outdoor dining options. Under a single point of accountability, the firm will develop, build and operate the facility. Its new Nicholas East office will serve as general contractor for the project, while its Spectate Group will manage and program the facility, and its Big Fish Hospitality Group will oversee the venue’s food and beverage offerings.

“A big project needs a big presence,” said Nick Papanicholas Jr., managing director and CEO of Nicholas Family of Companies. “Nicholas East will deliver the distinctly different and deliberately personalized service our public and private clients have come to expect. This expansion reflects the strength and dedication of our employees, whose contributions have helped build our reputation, brand and national presence. Their commitment has been instrumental in making this growth possible.”

Garrison will take the lead on the Westfield Ice Facility project, bringing more than 10 years of experience in real estate development and construction, and will support efforts to expand the company’s portfolio of work in Indiana beyond the ice facility. Most recently, he served as director of development at LG Group for eight years, leading active projects and overseeing execution from entitlement through delivery while serving as the primary liaison for investors, equity partners and key stakeholders. He previously worked as a construction project manager with the company.

“Mark is known for building deep, long-lasting relationships that deliver win-win outcomes,” continued Papanicholas. “A new office requires strong leadership, and he brings experience with more than $1 billion in mixed-use and multifamily projects. Mark is widely recognized for bridging design and execution, optimizing cost and schedule, and building high-performing teams. And as a Westfield resident, he brings a strong local network that will help Nicholas & Associates quickly establish a foothold in the market.”

Garrison holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Purdue University.

“While I’ve spent much of my career in Chicago, Indiana has always been home, making this opportunity especially meaningful,” said Garrison. “I look forward to leading Nicholas & Associates’ expansion in Indiana, building on the company’s strong foundation and delivering high-quality development and construction projects that create a lasting impact for our clients and the communities we serve.”

About the Nicholas Family of Companies:

The Nicholas Family of Companies is a second-generation, family owned and operated organization headquartered in Mount Prospect, Illinois. The company also has offices in Wisconsin and Florida and is now expanding into Indiana. Companies within the family of companies that are involved in the new ice facility include: Nicholas & Associates, Spectate Group, and Big Fish Hospitality Group. To learn more, visit nicholasfoc.com.

About Nicholas & Associates:

Founded in 1978, Nicholas & Associates is a comprehensive construction management firm providing design/build and general contracting services for projects in the recreation, education, municipal and mixed-use sectors. The family-run firm transforms visions to build environments with a personal approach, making it “distinctly different and deliberately personal.” Nicholas & Associates has offices in the Chicago area, Tampa and Milwaukee and is expanding into Indiana, building a growing national portfolio of projects. To learn more, visit nicholasquality.com.

About Spectate Group:

Spectate Group is a turnkey sports and recreation firm that strives to enhance and elevate the experience of athletes, fans and advertisers. Spectate not only operates arenas and recreation centers but also designs and builds them by leveraging Nicholas & Associates’ construction capabilities. From high-end onsite food and beverage offerings to NHL-regulation- size ice sheets, the company’s venues are designed to please the most discerning palates and athletes of all abilities. Spectate’s facilities include Nicholas Sportsplex, Rosemont Ice Arena, Glacier Ice Arena, Elk Grove Ice Arena (opening 2026) and Westfield Ice Facility (opening 2028). To learn more, visit spectategroup.com.

About Big Fish Hospitality Group:

Big Fish Hospitality Group is a design-build-operate conglomerate focused on bringing fine dining experiences to sports venues and communities in Chicago’s suburbs. The group celebrates the art of hospitality at each of its restaurants, including The Prospect, Big Fish’s Icehouse, Nomad Taco and Hatty’s Club. To learn more, visit bigfishhospitality.com.