The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal has officially announced its 2023 Fast 50 List, honoring JLG Architects as one of the Twin Cities’ fastest-growing private companies.
This year marks JLG’s 34th year, growing from two owners in 1989 to over 200 employee-owners across nine U.S. offices. In 2004, led by the firm’s CEO, Michelle Mongeon Allen, FAIA, JLG opened its first Minneapolis office – an award-winning workplace that now supports over 70 employee-owners. Ten years after branching from the flagship office, JLG transitioned original ownership to a 100% ESOP plan, supporting equitable wealth creation and long-term investment in employee advancement, industry advocacy, mentorship, and community engagement.
JLG’s CEO, Michelle Mongeon Allen, explained how the firm’s consistent growth and diverse portfolio were not coincidental. “We have dedicated over three decades to growing our firm in size, geography, and capability, and I’m so proud of the impact we’ve made. We operate with a vertical, market-led strategy that gives every client, regardless of budget, unrivaled access to industry-leading expertise within five practice studios – Higher Education, Healthcare, K12, Sports, and Community/Civic. These studios work both independently and collectively across the firm to empower design excellence, innovation, and high-performance outcomes. I believe our success is the result of remaining committed to advancing our regional roots while leveraging national and global expertise, an aspect that has made JLG a top workplace, industry leader, and preferred partner to international design firms and national consultants.”
JLG’s Minneapolis team is located in the 1874 Historic Washburn A Mill building, a 12,000-square-foot studio that sits above the Mill City Museum, connecting downtown to the Mississippi River, historic Stone Arch Bridge, and Mill Ruins Park. The firm’s Minneapolis office renovation was recently awarded a 2023 Honor Award from AIA North Dakota. In the past three decades, the firm has earned 73 total AIA (American Institute of Architects) design awards.
Additional Awards & Recognition Include:
- 2023 Top Workplace, Construction Industry Award – Minneapolis Star Tribune
- 2023 National Standard Top Workplace – Minneapolis Star Tribune
- 2023 Best Ice Hockey Arena Architects – Upper Midwest USA – Global 100
- 2023 Great Place to Work Certified – Great Place to Work Institute
- 2023 50 Best Places to Work – Prairie Business Magazine
- Top Design Firms in the U.S. – Engineering News-Record
- Top Architecture Firms in the U.S. – Building Design +Construction
- Emerging Professional Friendly Firm Award – AIA North Central States Region
- 50 Best Places to Work in America – Inc. Magazine
- 50 Most Admired Companies in the U.S. – MSN Money
JLG’s firm provides a full spectrum of services, from urban design and master planning to architectural design for sports/recreation facilities, universities, K-12 schools, aviation and government facilities, medical centers, and mixed-use/multi-family housing.
Fast 50 Honoree List:
An alphabetical list of all Fast 50 honorees can be found at mspbj.com. JLG’s official ranking will be revealed at the October 26, 2023, private awards event at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN.
