Joseph Nicholas Construction (JNC), in partnership with Jack Carter Auto Group, broke ground on Carter Cadillac of Chicago, a new dealership at 1400 W. North Ave. in Chicago, part of the former Lincoln Yards.
The new facility will be the brand’s third flagship store in the world, after locations in Manhattan, N.Y. and Los Angeles, Calif. Carter Cadillac of Chicago is expected to open in late 2027.
“The opening of the Jack Carter Cadillac dealership is a meaningful step toward accelerating business development in the city,” said Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd), who spoke at the groundbreaking. “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.”
Earlier this year, Jack Carter Auto Group announced it selected JNC to build Carter Cadillac of Chicago on the vacant lot at the corner of North Avenue and Besly Court. The development will include a two-story showroom and a six-level parking garage with 490 spaces for inventory and customer parking. Based in Calgary, Alberta, Jack Carter Auto Group is a large independent retail automotive dealership group that operates in locations across Canada and the U.S. Known for its extensive experience in auto dealership construction, JNC was recommended to Jack Carter, founder of Jack Carter Auto Group, by Cadillac Corporate.
“We are fully committed to bringing a dedicated Cadillac luxury experience to customers in Chicago, employing the best people from the local area and working hand-in-hand with city officials to make sure the dealership becomes a draw to the area,” said Jay McKeen, president of Jack Carter Automotive Group. “We see great potential in Chicago for Cadillac and are excited to collaborate with Joseph Nicholas Construction to bring this project to life.”
“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. We’re proud to partner with Jack Carter Auto Group to bring this flagship facility to Chicago.”
“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.” said Nick Papanicholas Jr., CEO and managing director of Nicholas Family of Companies, parent company of JNC.
The groundbreaking ceremony for Carter Cadillac of Chicago was held on Friday, May 15 and showcased two rare, high-end vehicles: a Cadillac Formula 1® Team replica race car, and the 2026 Cadillac CELESTIQ, a custom-commissioned, hand-built ultra-luxury sedan. While not all dealerships are authorized to sell the CELESTIQ, Carter Cadillac of Chicago has received authorization to do so.
While ground-up automotive facilities typically follow a five-year path to profitability, Cadillac of Calabasas’ 2024 opening achieved profitability within its first year of operation, an accomplishment that underscores the group’s operational excellence and strategic execution.
The U.S. auto dealership market was worth $2.95 trillion in 2025 and should reach $3.68 trillion over the next five years, per Mordor Intelligence. Currently, there are approximately 16,000 franchised dealerships in the country. Construction is being driven by increased renovation and new builds for luxury, import and domestic stores, according to the American International Automobile Dealers Association.
JNC was acquired in October 2025 by Nicholas Family of Companies and now operates as a dedicated automotive construction studio within Nicholas Family of Companies’ diversified construction division. This alignment strengthens JNC’s ability to meet the growing national demand for automotive facilities and dealership development, while leveraging the broader resources and capabilities of the Nicholas Family of Companies platform.
