About Us

Headquartered in Philadelphia PA, we are a full-service general contractor specializing in complex urban infill, adaptive reuse, historic preservation, higher education, multifamily residential, commercial, hospitality, healthcare, and life science projects.

What sets Clemens apart is our ability to self-perform critical scopes through our in-house Carpentry Division, Millwork Shop, and Special Projects Group. This hands-on expertise gives us greater control over quality, schedule, and safety—especially on fast-paced or logistically challenging projects. Whether it’s a ground-up development, a high-end interior fit-out, or a renovation in an occupied facility, our teams deliver with precision and professionalism.

We are proud to be a union signatory and one of the largest union carpentry contractors in Philadelphia. Our reputation has been built project by project, client by client—with much of our work coming from long-standing relationships and repeat clients who trust us to get the job done right.

Clemens has consistently earned dozens of industry awards, a testament to our team’s commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and preservation. We know that every detail matters and that our reputation is only as strong as our last job. That’s why we show up every day ready to build smarter, safer, and better—for our clients and our community.

Our History

Clemens Construction was founded in 1979 by James X. Clemens, who landed his first job renovating a small office with no staff and minimal resources. Through hard work, determination, and a commitment to quality, Clemens turned that one job into a thriving business, earning over $1 million in sales within the first year. Early success was fueled by Jim’s ability to attract top talent and consistently deliver exceptional results on increasingly complex projects.

Initially focused on interior commercial work—particularly in retail, banking, and high-end corporate offices—Clemens quickly developed a strong reputation for quality craftsmanship and personalized service. In 1997, Jim Clemens retired and sold the company to architect Stephen W. Pouppirt, who continues to lead the firm as president. Under his leadership, Clemens has grown into one of the Northeast’s most trusted general contractors, known for its expertise in urban infill, historic preservation, creative fit-outs, and full-scale renovations and new construction. Today, Clemens serves a wide range of market sectors including multifamily, hospitality, education, healthcare, life sciences, and public infrastructure.

Teamwork + Collaboration

We view our client relationships as a true partnership with a common goal – achieving full vision of the project down to the last detail. We are here to solve problems big and small, from pre-construction and planning phases all the way to ribbon-cutting and beyond.

Unmatched Quality

Many companies say they value quality, but for us it’s non-negotiable. Our clients see this in our painstaking, meticulous attention to detail through all phases of work. We employ the most highly trained labor force available, and demand the best from all employees and subcontractors. And even though we pride ourselves in finding innovative cost-saving solutions for our clients, we never compromise on quality – period.

Creativity + Vision

We take the time to understand the project vision all the way down to the smallest details. We leverage the depth of our experience to find creative and cost-effective solutions to stay on-budget and on-schedule without sacrificing the project vision.

Community

A respected leader in the community, we develop meaningful, long-lasting relationships with owners, developers, architects, designers and local unions, and maintain affiliations with the GBCA and AIA.

Exceptional People

Our team has both energy and experience and truly loves what they do. We are committed to inclusion and diversity on all projects as well as maintaining an open and collaborative environment for all.

Safety

We are dedicated to providing the safest workplace possible. We are continuously elevating our standards and training our personnel to maintain our excellent safety rating. Our Project Managers and Superintendents have earned OSHA 30 certifications and the company has earned the Safety Committee Certification issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.