Gilbane Celebrates Topping Out of Elgin Area School District U46’s Legacy Middle School 

Topping-Out Marks Progress on 200,000-SF K-12 Construction Project in Elgin, Illinois  

Elgin, Illinois — April 1, 2026 — Gilbane, a leading global builder, joined Elgin Area School District U46, DLA Architects, and community members  to celebrate the topping out of the new Legacy Middle School. This major milestone marks continued progress on the district’s long-term investment in modern, future-ready learning environments. 

Nearly 300 students attended the ceremony and signed the beam, recognizing their connection to the new school. Their participation highlights a shared commitment to a space that supports learning, connection, and growth., 

 “Our team is building a school that strengthens how students learn and how teachers teach,” said Mitch Braam, Project Executive, Gilbane Building. “This milestone shows the impact of aligning construction with student outcomes, and we are proud to deliver this vision with District U46.” 

The 200,000-square-foot middle school will feature state-of-the-art classrooms, a main and auxiliary gym, a cafeteria, administrative offices, and collaborative learning spaces.  The building incorporates concrete floors and a three-story academic wing supported by steel and masonry systems. 

This project is part of Elgin Area School District U46’s broader effort to improve educational facilities across the 11 communities it serves. The district spans 90 square miles across Chicago’s northwest suburbs and serves more than 35,000 students across 57 schools. 

 About Gilbane  

Gilbane is one of the largest, privately held, family-owned construction and real estate development firms in the world. Founded in 1870, Gilbane is a leader in providing end-to-end solutions across the built environment. Gilbane operates through two core businesses: Gilbane Building, a full-service construction firm, and Gilbane Development, which leads real estate investment, development, and property management. The company’s breadth of expertise and quality is applied across diverse market sectors with a community-focused approach to how the company builds and develops. With 45 offices across the country and around the world, Gilbane brings global expertise to local communities. For more information, visit www.gilbaneco.com.