Commercial General Contractor in Portland, OR
Modern Northwest is a commercial general contractor headquartered in Portland. We build and renovate offices, clinics, retail, restaurants, and industrial space across the city and the metro, and have since 2008.
Portland is where Modern Northwest started, and it is still home. Our shop sits at 19140 NE Portal Way, and we have built commercial projects across the city, from close-in neighborhoods to the industrial districts, since 2008. We are licensed, bonded, and insured in Oregon.
You get a true general contractor, not a broker. We self-manage your build from preconstruction through final inspection, and one project manager runs your job from bid to punch list, so you always know who to call. That is the whole point: commercial construction handled by people who answer the phone, not a bid marked up and handed off.
What We Build in Portland
Commercial Construction
Ground-up commercial buildings and full renovations for Portland businesses.
Learn moreTenant Improvements
Office, retail, and clinic build-outs that turn a leased Portland space into your space.
Learn moreMedical & Dental
Clinics, dental offices, and medical suites built to code, with the specialized plumbing and imaging work they need.
Learn moreRetail & Restaurants
Storefronts and restaurant build-outs built around your brand and your opening date.
Learn moreClass A Offices
High-end office space that attracts tenants and reflects your business.
Learn moreIndustrial & Warehouse
Warehouse and light-industrial space built for how your operation actually runs.
Learn moreRecent work in Portland and the metro
Portland is our home base, so most of what we build is right here. A sample of recent commercial work:
Permitting for a Portland commercial project
Commercial permits in Portland go through Portland Permitting and Development (formerly the Bureau of Development Services). Most commercial projects are not issued over the counter. We submit full plan sets, and staff from building, zoning, fire, transportation, and other groups review the project at the same time. If a reviewer needs changes, they send back a checksheet, and each round adds review time.
Smaller commercial tenant improvements, interior remodels that do not change the use, usually go through a Single PDF submission. Larger projects, like new construction, go through the PDX E-Plans and ProjectDox system instead. If your site sits just outside the city, in unincorporated Multnomah County, it runs through the county instead of the city.
We handle the plan review, the permit, and the inspections, and build your schedule around the review timeline so it does not catch you off guard. Verified July 2026.
How a Portland commercial job runs with us
Walkthrough and preconstruction
We walk your space or site, learn your goals and timeline, and map a plan to your budget before anyone swings a hammer.
Permitting with Portland Permitting & Development
We handle the plan sets, the review, and the checksheets so your permit moves without you having to chase it.
Build with one project manager
One project manager runs your job start to finish and brings in our trusted trade partners for the specialized work.
Inspections and closeout
We schedule and pass inspections, then walk the punch list with you before we hand the space over.
Why Portland businesses choose Modern Northwest
- Licensed in Oregon. Oregon CCB #198582, licensed, bonded, and insured, so your Portland project is fully covered and permitted right.
- Home turf. Our shop is in Portland, so we know the city's building departments and neighborhoods.
- Commercial construction is our focus. Tenant improvements, ground-up, medical and dental, retail, restaurants, and industrial, since 2008.
- One point of contact. A single project manager runs your job, on schedule and on budget, with honest updates.
What our commercial clients say
We are rated 4.9 stars across 52 Google reviews. A couple from real commercial build-outs:
- “Exceeded our expectations.” — Animal Care Center Veterinary Clinic, Salem, clinic renovation.
- “Professional, competitively priced, with excellent communication.” — MK Phelps, primary care clinic build-out.
Frequently asked questions
Do you build in Portland?
Yes. Portland is our home market and our shop is at 19140 NE Portal Way. We have built commercial projects across Portland and the metro since 2008.
What does the Portland commercial permit process look like?
Commercial permits go through Portland Permitting and Development, formerly the Bureau of Development Services. Most projects require full plan sets and go through a review with staff from building, zoning, fire, and other groups, who send back checksheets if they need corrections. Smaller tenant improvements are submitted through a Single PDF process, and larger new construction goes through PDX E-Plans and ProjectDox.
Are you licensed to build in Oregon?
Yes. Our Oregon CCB license is #198582, active and in good standing, and we are bonded and insured. We handle Oregon permitting, inspections, and code compliance as part of the job.
Do you do tenant improvements and commercial remodels in Portland?
Yes. Along with ground-up commercial construction, we handle tenant improvements, commercial remodels, and interior build-outs across Portland, for offices, clinics, retail, restaurants, and industrial space.
Do you self-perform or subcontract the work?
We run your project as the general contractor and bring in our trusted trade partners for the specialized work, with our own project manager overseeing quality and schedule from start to finish.
How do I get an estimate for my Portland project?
Call us at (360) 326-2747 or request a free consultation. We will walk your space or review your plans and give you a real, honest estimate and timeline before you commit.
Building in Portland?
Get a real estimate from a Portland-based commercial contractor. Call (360) 326-2747 or reach out for a free consultation.
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