Chicago Construction News staff writer
Joseph Nicholas Construction (JNC), in partnership with Jack Carter Auto Group, has broken ground on Carter Cadillac of Chicago, a new flagship dealership at 1400 W. North Ave. in the former Lincoln Yards development area.
The project marks a major expansion for Cadillac’s luxury retail footprint and will become the brand’s third flagship location globally, following stores in Manhattan, N.Y., and Los Angeles, Calif. The dealership is expected to open in late 2027.
The development will include a two-storey showroom and a six-level parking structure with 490 spaces for inventory storage and customer use. The site, located at the corner of North Avenue and Besly Court, was previously a vacant parcel within the broader North Branch corridor redevelopment zone.
“The opening of the Jack Carter Cadillac dealership is a meaningful step toward accelerating business development in the city,” said Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward), who attended the groundbreaking ceremony. “With Cadillac and other companies poised to drive job creation and broaden economic opportunities, we value the ongoing commitment to collaborating with the business community and cultivating partnerships that will fuel long-term growth for Chicago.”
Jack Carter Auto Group selected JNC earlier this year to deliver the project, citing the firm’s experience in automotive dealership construction. Based in Calgary, Alberta, the group operates dealerships across Canada and the United States.
JNC leadership said the project represents a significant milestone for the firm as it takes on a high-profile luxury automotive build in a prominent Chicago location.
“Being selected to deliver a project of this magnitude on a site with no comparable parcel of its size in Chicago is a significant milestone for our team,” said Joey Mariconda, director of construction for JNC. “It reflects the trust we’ve built with manufacturers and clients through consistent execution, and our deep familiarity with Cadillac’s sophisticated brand standards.”
Nick Papanicholas Jr., CEO and managing director of Nicholas Family of Companies, said the dealership reflects both brand alignment and construction capability.
“Just as Cadillac is known for the outstanding performance and speed of its vehicles, so is JNC known for its construction expertise and fast execution. It makes us the ideal partner for this project,” he said.
The May 15 groundbreaking featured two high-end vehicles on display: a Cadillac Formula 1® Team replica race car and the 2026 Cadillac CELESTIQ, a hand-built ultra-luxury sedan. The dealership has also been authorized to sell the CELESTIQ, which is typically limited to select Cadillac retailers.
