About Us

Over the years, J. Emil Anderson & Son, Inc. has successfully developed thousands of acres of land in metropolitan Chicago and worked on the design and construction of hundreds of industrial, commercial and institutional buildingsaccounting for more than 50,000,000 square feet of industrial space alone. Today the company limits activities to maintaining, leasing and managing industrial and office properties it owns in the metropolitan Chicago area.

   It all began in 1919 when J. Emil Anderson came to America, settled in Chicago and set up shop as a carpentry contractor. It didn't take long for word to spread in the community that you could count on Anderson. Early deals were sealed with a handshake. Jobs were done right, finished on time and at the quoted price. When more ambitious undertakings involved written agreements, Anderson lived up to the letter and spirit of every contract. This reputation for quality workmanship, reliability and integrity paid off handsomelyat that time and to this day. Within a decade, the growing company was involved as carpentry, concrete and masonry contractors on competitive-bid industrial, commercial and institutional projects throughout the Chicago area.

   The founder was joined by his son Harold, also a hands-on construction tradesman, in the early 30's. To better serve a now impressive list of prominent clients, the energetic team expanded operations by adding in-house architectural design and related engineering/construction capabilities. Under Harold's direction after incorporating in 1942, the firm began acquiring vacant land in Chicago and areas north and northwest of the City for immediate and future development. As Anderson turned raw land into industrial parks, they pioneered in

offering a build-to-suit packageproviding custom design, financing and construction for buildings which were then sold to or leased by the client.

   Representative of commercial development activities was the company's acquisition of some 600 acres of farmland in rural Schaumburg in the late 50's. A portion was sold to developers of Woodfield Mall, with the remaining acres now filled with office, retail and service properties.

   A third generation, Harold's son James, joined the firm as vice president of sales in 1973. He came well prepared, having gained several years of construction experience working in the field for Anderson and marketing/sales experience while associated for several years with one of Chicago's leading industrial real estate brokerage firms.

   In 1990, James H. Anderson assumed duties as president and chief operating officer. His son James H. Anderson, Jr. joined the firm as a fourth generation addition in 2000.