JK2 Construction was named to the Orlando Business Journal’s list of Largest General Contractors once again.
The list consists of companies in Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties ranked by 2019 Central Florida operating revenue. JK2 was ranked No. 18 and is proud to be in the company of outstanding peers in the industry.
This is the JK2 Construction’s third time making the list. To see the full rankings, click here.
Company named to Gator100 list for fourth time
APOPKA, Fla. (March 3, 2020) – Many JK2 Construction employees got their start at the University of Florida. Now, the company has been honored for how far it has come by the university itself.
JK2 Construction was named to the elite Gator100 list for the fourth time because of its incredible growth.
The Gator100 awards, in their sixth year, recognize the 100 fastest-growing businesses in the world that are owned or led by alumni of the University of Florida. The list comprises some of the most innovative and successful businesses in U.S. and beyond.
“I’m incredibly proud to be a UF alumnus,” said Paul Holmes, founder of JK2. “I know what I learned there gave me the foundation to build my business, and UF gave many of my staff members the tools they need to do the work we do every day. To be recognized among other outstanding alumni businesses is truly an honor.”
The honorees are chosen and ranked based on compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) over a three-year period. To qualify, companies must have been in business for at least five years and had revenues of $250,000 or more every year since 2016. From January 2016 to October 2019, a UF alumnus or alumna must have owned 50 percent or more of the company, or have served as chief executive, or have founded the company and served on the senior management team. Ernst & Young calculates the CAGR. Hundreds of companies apply for the honor each year.
“The Gator100 honors UF alumni from across the university who are founding and growing amazing companies around the country,” said Matt Hodge, Associate Vice President for Development & Alumni Relations at University of Florida Advancement. “It’s an incredible affirmation of the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of the Gator Nation.”
Representatives from JK2 Construction attended the awards ceremony in Gainesville on February 28, 2020. The company was ranked No. 61 with a CAGR of 35 percent, up from a ranking of 85 and CAGR of 29.46 percent last year.
This growth reflects a record year in 2019 for JK2 Construction. JK2 saw its highest revenue growth since the Great Recession and its second highest revenue mark in its 33-year history. JK2 Construction also completed several banner projects for theme parks and national home builders in the last year and took home three Excellence in Construction awards from ABC Central Florida.
JK2 currently has several UF graduates in leadership roles, including: JK2 Founder Paul Holmes; JK2 Construction leaders Rick Amundson, COO, and Dan Shaffer, Pre-Construction Director; Office Manager Joan Holmes and JK2 Scenic President Julie Holmes.
Paul Holmes earned a Bachelor of Science with honors in business, followed by graduate studies at the School of Building Construction. Rick Amundson received a Bachelor of Building Construction. Dan Shaffer received a Bachelor of Finance. Julie Holmes was a Cum Laude graduate, earning a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering and is a three-year letter winner of the University of Florida women’s swimming and diving team.
For more information about JK2 Construction, visit jk2construction.com. For more information about the Gator100, visit gator100.ufl.edu.
About JK2 Construction
JK2 Construction, a family-owned company founded in 1987, has become a leader in the construction industry. The company specializes in design-build, commercial, retail, entertainment, restaurant, industrial, amenity and time share projects. JK2 Construction has completed projects throughout the nation, including work for major theme parks, themed restaurants and national home builders. The company is a trusted, respected and valued partner who builds with a creative project approach and has principal level involvement in every project. For more information, visit jk2construction.com.
Guests can now enjoy Bigfire at Universal CityWalk
ORLANDO, Fla. (August 29, 2019) – Campfire food just got a gourmet update with Universal Orlando Resort’s latest restaurant, Bigfire—and a leading Central Florida contractor helped bring the look to life.
Bigfire, located in the heart of Universal CityWalk, brings guests back to lakeside family vacations, with the emphasis on open flame cooking. A new exhibition kitchen allows guests to watch their meals being cooked on a custom-built grill over an open flame within view of the main dining area.
JK2 Construction saw the project through from demolition of the existing venue to completion of the new dining experience. The company was charged with demolition of all interior components, all existing electrical and mechanical systems, many exterior walls and storefront. JK2 then built out the new space, including a complete state-of-the-art kitchen, additional seating areas, balcony seating and exhibition grill. Structurally, JK2 expanded the balcony area seating and the waterfront dining area. The firm also constructed essential operational aspects for the full-service kitchen and modern bar.
All of the handcrafted custom seating, banquettes and wood interior finishes were made of reclaimed barn wood. Other finishing touches included new flooring throughout, floor to ceiling storefronts and a private dining area. All work, deliveries, and equipment had to be scheduled during non-park hours of 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. and cleaned before guest arrival.
“Universal Orlando is always on the cutting edge of attractions, restaurants and other experiences,” said Paul Holmes, president and founder of JK2. “We are proud of our work helping to bring these big visions to life.”
JK2 Construction has been a proud partner of Universal Orlando Resort for many years. Other memorable projects the company has completed include: TODAY Café, Voodoo Doughnut, NBC Media Lab and the Hello Kitty store.
For more information about JK2 Construction, visit jk2construction.com.
About JK2 Construction
JK2 Construction, a family-owned company founded in 1987, has become a leader in the construction industry. The company specializes in design-build, commercial, retail, entertainment, restaurant, industrial, amenity and time share projects. JK2 Construction has completed projects throughout the nation, including work for major theme parks, themed restaurants and national home builders. The company is a trusted, respected and valued partner who builds with a creative project approach and has principal level involvement in every project. For more information, visit jk2construction.com.
APOPKA, Fla. (Feb. 25, 2019) – The JK2 family of companies is ready for a celebratory Gator Chomp. Both JK2 Construction and JK2 Scenic were named to the elite Gator100 list for the third time based on their impressive growth.
The award recognizes the 100 fastest-growing businesses worldwide that are owned or led by alumni of the University of Florida. The list, which is presented by the UF Alumni Association, in partnership with the UF Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center, is in its fifth year.
To qualify, companies must have been in business for at least five years and had revenues of $250,000 or more every year since 2015, or for the past three full fiscal years. From January 2015 to September 2018, a UF alumnus or group of alumni must have owned 50 percent or more of the company, or have served as chief executive, or have founded the company and served on the senior management team.
The honorees of the Gator100 list are chosen based on a company’s compounded annual growth rate, or CAGR, over a three-year period. The JK2 family of companies made the list out of hundreds of companies that applied.
“The University of Florida was an integral part in preparing several of our team members, myself included, to do the work we do in the construction industry,” said Paul Holmes, founder of JK2. “To be recognized for that work by our alma mater is an incredible honor.”
This is JK2’s third time making the prestigious list. Since JK2 Scenic was spun off into a separate company last year, this is the first year both companies made the list on their own. JK2 Construction was ranked No. 85 with a CAGR of 29.46 percent, while JK2 Scenic was ranked No. 70 with a CAGR of 34.34 percent.
As a combined company, JK2 was ranked No. 45 in 2017 and No. 72 in 2016.
Both companies have experienced an extraordinary amount of growth over the last few years. JK2 Construction has completed several notable projects at Universal Orlando Resort, the Orlando Science Center and several amenity centers for national home builders. JK2 Scenic has seen a growth in revenue by over 1,000 percent, and completed work at Universal Orlando Resort, Disney Springs and the Margaritaville Resort Orlando.
The JK2 family of companies has five UF graduates currently in leadership roles: JK2 Founder Paul Holmes; JK2 Construction leaders Rick Amundson, Vice President, David Ressler, Director of Operations, and Dan Shaffer, Pre-Construction Manager; and JK2 Scenic President Julie Holmes.
Paul Holmes earned a Bachelor of Science with honors in business, followed by graduate studies at the School of Building Construction. Rick Amundson received a Bachelor of Building Construction. David Ressler received a Bachelor of Science in agriculture. Dan Shaffer received a Bachelor of Finance. Julie Holmes was a Cum Laude graduate, earning a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering and is a three-year letter winner of the University of Florida women’s swimming and diving team.
For more information about JK2 Construction, visit jk2construction.com. For more information about JK2 Scenic, visit jk2scenic.com.
For more information about the Gator100, visit gator100.ufl.edu.
About JK2 Construction
JK2 Construction, a family-owned company founded in 1987, has become a leader in the construction industry. The company specializes in design-build, commercial, retail, entertainment, restaurant, industrial, amenity and time share projects. JK2 Construction has completed projects throughout the nation, including work for major theme parks, themed restaurants and national home builders. The company is a trusted, respected and valued partner who builds with a creative project approach and has principal level involvement in every project. For more information, visit jk2construction.com.
InPark Magazine shared the news about JK2 Scenic and JK2 Construction’s work on The Hive: A Makerspace, Orlando Science Center’s new exhibit. Read the article here or continue reading below.
JK2 Construction and JK2 Scenic complete work on Orlando Science Center’s Makerspace
JK2 Construction and JK2 Scenic came together to complete a new exhibit at the Orlando Science Center.
The Hive: A Makerspace is over 3,000 square feet of collaborative work space in which children can use high-tech tools and real materials to design and build their own projects.
JK2 Construction was brought on to manage the complete design and renovation of the construction project. The company worked closely with the architect and Science Center team to come up with a vision for the space and make it blend seamlessly with the existing design of the building. JK2 Construction completed the demolition of the existing space and managed the build-out of new framing, drywall, carpet, and painting of the newly created Makerspace. In addition, the company worked to safely and effectively relocate mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire safety elements while working around guests and operational constraints of the facility.
After JK2 Construction completed the interior build-out, JK2 Scenic turned the project into a functional, inviting space for children to create in. JK2 Scenic manufactured all the custom millwork for the project, including the cabinets used for storing building materials, supplies and tools. The unique hexagonal shelves, storage bins and wall art JK2 Scenic constructed for the project not only bring The Hive to life, but will also serve as inspiration to those who use the space for years to come.
The Hive, presented by the Isaacs Family, allows children 8 and up to turn their creative ideas into reality. The exhibit is now open on Level 3 of the Orlando Science Center.
“It’s appropriate that a space dedicated to creation and collaboration was completed through the cooperation of JK2 Construction and JK2 Scenic,” said Paul Holmes, JK2 Construction president and founder.
“This project was a perfect fit for us at JK2 Scenic,” said Julie Holmes, JK2 Scenic president. “The Hive is all about helping kids turn their dreams into a reality through creativity and construction, something we strive to do every day.”
JK2 Construction has spent the past 30 years working to build perfection in every project it completes. The company specializes in design-build, commercial, retail, entertainment, restaurant, industrial, amenity and time share projects.
JK2 Scenic builds dreams through custom theming, architectural millwork and specialty themed items. The company has worked with national brands in the retail, attraction, entertainment, hospitality and restaurant industries.
ORLANDO, Fla. (July 31, 2018) — JK2 Construction and JK2 Scenic, leaders in the Central Florida construction industry, came together to complete a new exhibit at the Orlando Science Center.
The Hive: A Makerspace is over 3,000 square feet of collaborative work space in which children can use high-tech tools and real materials to design and build their own projects.
JK2 Construction was brought on to manage the complete design and renovation of the construction project. The company worked closely with the architect and Science Center team to come up with a vision for the space and make it blend seamlessly with the existing design of the building. JK2 Construction completed the demolition of the existing space and managed the build-out of new framing, drywall, carpet, and painting of the newly created Makerspace. In addition, the company worked to safely and effectively relocate mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire safety elements while working around guests and operational constraints of the facility.
After JK2 Construction completed the interior build-out, JK2 Scenic turned the project into a functional, inviting space for children to create in. JK2 Scenic manufactured all the custom millwork for the project, including the cabinets used for storing building materials, supplies and tools. The unique hexagonal shelves, storage bins and wall art JK2 Scenic constructed for the project not only bring The Hive to life, but will also serve as inspiration to those who use the space for years to come.
The Hive, presented by the Isaacs Family, allows children 8 and up to turn their creative ideas into reality. The exhibit is now open on Level 3 of the Orlando Science Center.
“It’s appropriate that a space dedicated to creation and collaboration was completed through the cooperation of JK2 Construction and JK2 Scenic,” said Paul Holmes, JK2 Construction president and founder.
“This project was a perfect fit for us at JK2 Scenic,” said Julie Holmes, JK2 Scenic president. “The Hive is all about helping kids turn their dreams into a reality through creativity and construction, something we strive to do every day.”
JK2 Construction has spent the past 30 years working to build perfection in every project it completes. The company specializes in design-build, commercial, retail, entertainment, restaurant, industrial, amenity and time share projects.
JK2 Scenic builds dreams through custom theming, architectural millwork and specialty themed items. The company has worked with national brands in the retail, attraction, entertainment, hospitality and restaurant industries.
For high resolution photos of this project, click here.
For more information about JK2 Construction, visit jk2construction.com. For more information about JK2 Scenic, visit jk2scenic.com.
About JK2 Construction
JK2 Construction, a family-owned company founded in 1987, has become a leader in the construction industry. The company specializes in design-build, commercial, retail, entertainment, restaurant, industrial, amenity and time share projects. JK2 Construction has completed projects throughout the nation, including work for major theme parks, themed restaurants and national home builders. The company is a trusted, respected and valued partner who builds with a creative project approach and has principal level involvement in every project. For more information, visit jk2construction.com.
About JK2 Scenic
Started in 2008 as part of the family-owned JK2, JK2 Scenic has grown and developed a niche in the construction industry. The company designs and builds themed architectural millwork and custom props and fabricates specialty items for the retail, attraction, entertainment, hospitality and restaurant industries. The company’s mission is to build dreams. JK2 Scenic serves as a trusted, respected and valued partner that builds with a creative approach and has principal-level involvement on every project. This mission has led to a roster of client partners, including major theme parks, themed restaurants and national brands. For more information, visit jk2scenic.com.