Suburban Chicago design-build project enhances parking, retail potential and streetscape 

McHugh Construction today announced the completion of a new public parking garage at 304 Hill Street in East Dundee, Ill. The $7 million design-build project — in partnership with Desmond Design — is the village’s largest infrastructure investment in years and officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, May 22.

The two-level concrete structure adds 163 total parking spaces to the popular downtown area, including a connected surface lot behind River Street Tavern and improved street parking along River Street. The garage also features 6,000 square feet of ground-level retail space, delivered as a customizable “gray box” and currently being marketed for sale by Premier Commercial Realty on behalf of the village for $500,000.

“McHugh brought a big-city efficiency and quality approach to this small-town project,” said David Steffenhagen, vice president at McHugh Construction. “From preconstruction through delivery, our team worked closely with East Dundee officials to meet their vision — preserving the character of this charming downtown while enhancing its infrastructure with convenient and abundant parking for current and future needs.”

The design-build approach, led by McHugh and Desmond, enabled cost-efficient delivery while responding to evolving design goals. The garage features arched elevator tower windows and locally sourced blonde and red brick — a nod to the historic Hagar Brick Company that operated for decades nearby — to complement the village’s established architecture.

Additional project highlights include:

• Two EV charging stations in the adjacent surface lot
• Retail-ready “gray box” commercial space, available for future tenant buildout
• Relocated overhead utility lines, now buried to improve downtown aesthetics
• Delivery on time and on budget, despite scope changes during construction
• Local subcontractor participation, including McHugh Concrete and trusted regional trades

“This garage is more than just a parking facility — it’s an investment in community vitality,” Steffenhagen added. “With East Dundee’s thriving calendar of festivals, parades and downtown events, this new facility provides long-needed capacity for visitors and supports continued economic development.”

The May 22 celebration coincided with East Dundee’s first Thirsty Thursday street festival of the season, attracting hundreds of attendees to nearby River Street and showcasing the garage’s key role in supporting local events and businesses.

About McHugh Construction:

Specializing in multifamily residential, hospitality, and recreational facilities, McHugh Construction is a fourth-generation, privately owned company and one of the largest full-service construction firms in the United States. McHugh is known for its collaborative, transparent, and efficient approach to project delivery. The firm offers a comprehensive suite of services, including general contracting, construction management, design-build, preconstruction, program management, concrete construction, and structural engineering. With an 80% repeat client rate, McHugh has earned a reputation for delivering complex projects on time and within budget while fostering strong partnerships with subcontractors. Signature projects include five-star hotels such as The Peninsula, Ritz-Carlton Chicago, and Four Seasons; record-setting high-rises like 1000M, St. Regis Chicago, NEMA Chicago and Aqua Tower; and major recreational venues including the United Center and the Indoor Track & Field Facility at Gately Park. McHugh also led the award-winning transformation of Navy Pier through its Centennial Vision renovation. McHugh has completed projects in Nashville, St. Louis, Minneapolis, South Florida, and other key markets. For more information, visit www.mchughconstruction.com.