What Forefront Structural Engineers does

Forefront Structural Engineers (FSE) is a Chicago-based structural engineering consultancy founded in 1996 that provides design and construction administration services for high-rise, mid-rise, and complex building projects across the United States. The firm serves architects, real estate developers, and general contractors on a project-by-project basis, with particular specialization in tall mass timber towers, post-tensioned concrete, structural steel, cold-formed steel, and adaptive reuse of historic structures. FSE served as Engineer of Record on The Edison in Milwaukee — set to become the world's tallest mass timber tower at 31 stories — and has engineered multiple other landmark projects including the INTRO mass timber residential series, the Nashville Warehouse Company mixed-use development, and The Salt Shed adaptive reuse of the historic Morton Salt factory.

FSE's technical platform combines established structural analysis software (ETABS, SAFE, SAP, RAM, Enercalc), BIM workflows in Revit, and computational design tools (Rhino, Grasshopper) for parametric structural modeling and rapid design iteration. The firm has invested in proprietary research including full-scale 3-hour mass timber fire testing to generate empirical data on fire performance and structural stability of mass timber assemblies — a knowledge base that supports tall mass timber code development and high-risk structural solutions. Revenue is generated through professional services consulting fees on individual project engagements, with pricing not publicly disclosed. Marketing and business development are driven by direct enterprise engagement, thought leadership (industry events, podcasts, publications), and a portfolio-based website showcasing landmark work; the firm does not maintain a published pricing structure and directs prospective clients to email contact.

Name

Forefront Structural Engineers

Legal name

Forefront Structural Engineers

Website

https://forefrontstructural.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Forefront Structural Engineers is a Chicago-based structural engineering consultancy designing high-rise, mid-rise, mass timber, post-tensioned concrete, and adaptive reuse buildings for architects, developers, and general contractors across the United States on a project basis.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Structural Engineering Services

NAICS

Engineering Services (541330)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Civil & Structural Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAA)

Keywords

• Structural engineering services
• Mass timber design
• High-rise structural design
• Adaptive reuse engineering
• Post-tensioned concrete design

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Structural Engineering Services: Professional engineering services for building design, including structural analysis, design, and construction administration. Services are provided on a project-by-project basis to architects, developers, and general contractors. Revenue is generated through consulting fees for design services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Forefront Structural Engineers provides structural engineering design and consulting services for high-rise, mid-rise, and unique buildings from concept through construction. Their service portfolio spans post-tensioned concrete design, mass timber structural systems, structural steel, cold-formed steel, and adaptive reuse of historic structures. The firm collaborates with architects, developers, and general contractors as Engineer of Record on a project basis.

Product overview

Forefront Structural Engineers is a Chicago-based structural engineering consultancy offering comprehensive engineering design services for high-rise, mid-rise, and unique buildings. Their service portfolio spans modern post-tensioned buildings, tall mass timber towers, large-scale cold-formed steel buildings, structural steel, and adaptive re-use of historic structures. The company specializes in mass timber construction, having worked on multiple landmark projects including The Edison (world's tallest mass timber tower at 31 stories), the INTRO series of mass timber residential towers, Nashville Warehouse Company (723,350 sq ft mass timber mixed-use), and The Salt Shed (adaptive reuse of historic Morton Salt factory). Their engineering services include structural design, parametric structural modeling, computational design techniques, and mass timber fire testing research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Structural Engineering Design Services
• Mass Timber Structural Systems Design
• Adaptive Reuse Structural Engineering
• Post-Tensioned Concrete Design
• Cold-Formed Steel Structural Design
• Computational and Parametric Structural Design
• Mass Timber Fire Testing and Research

Quantifiable outcome

• 54% reduction in embodied carbon footprint for mass timber towers vs conventional buildings
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Neutral Studios / Neutral ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term collaboration on mass timber projects including The Edison (world's tallest mass timber tower). FSE worked closely with Neutral on the 3-hour mass timber fire test that provided empirical data on fire performance for exposed mass timber assemblies. Joint participation in research and development for mass timber construction innovation.
• Hartshorne Plunkard ArchitecturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrequent collaboration on major projects including The Edison, INTRO Atlanta, INTRO Cleveland, North Union Development, and Nashville Warehouse Company. Partnership on mass timber and mixed-use developments.
• Harbor Bay VenturescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on multiple INTRO projects (mass timber towers on concrete podiums) including 9th & High in Columbus and INTRO Atlanta. Continued collaboration on timber tower developments.
• DLR GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitect for 9th & High mass timber student housing project in Columbus, Ohio - the tallest mass timber student housing building in the U.S.
• AJ CapitalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper for Nashville Warehouse Company - 720,000 SF mixed-use development featuring mass timber office buildings, precast parking, and concrete residential tower.
• JDL DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper partner on North Union Development (mega-development in Chicago) and Foundry Park (former Lincoln Yards north site). Multiple buildings currently in construction.
• Lamar Johnson CollaborativemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm for The Salt Shed adaptive reuse project - collaboration on reimagining Morton Salt factory into modern venue.
• GREC ArchitectsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm for Hoxton Hotel Chicago - 175-room hospitality project with post-tensioned tower and rooftop amenities.
• Evident Architecture OfficemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm leading Shoreway Tower residential high rise project in Cleveland's lakefront corridor.
• Elford Inc.majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContractor for 9th & High mass timber student housing project in Columbus, Ohio.
• CD Smith ConstructionmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractor for The Edison project in Milwaukee and 517 W Main in Madison. Key construction partner for mass timber projects.
• Power ConstructionmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractor for North Union Development and Hoxton Hotel projects in Chicago.
• Neutral PodcastminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJosh Dortzbach appeared as guest on Neutral Podcast Episode 19 discussing mass timber fire testing and projects like The Edison. Platform for thought leadership and industry dialogue.
• XR RealtyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJosh Dortzbach joined XR Realty podcast for discussion on urban development, mass timber, and Chicago Bears stadium conversation. Thought leadership and industry engagement.
• Kayne Anderson Real EstatemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner developer with JDL Development on Foundry Park project - the transformative development on former Lincoln Yards north site along Chicago River.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Thornton Tomasetti: Global structural engineering consultancy with deep mass timber and tall-building expertise; directly competes with FSE on high-rise and large mixed-use commissions but operates at much greater scale across many building types.
• Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM): Integrated architecture and engineering firm with a world-renowned structural engineering practice serving high-rise and complex building projects, including timber and adaptive reuse — directly comparable in project type though much larger and more diversified.
• Arup: Global engineering consultancy with a prominent structural and timber practice that designs high-rise, mass timber, and adaptive reuse projects — overlapping directly with FSE's service portfolio at a much larger international scale.
• Buro Happold: International engineering consultancy with structural, sustainability, and mass timber practices that compete for complex building projects comparable to FSE's high-rise and adaptive reuse work.

Direct peers

• Magnusson Klemencic Associates (MKA): Seattle-based structural engineering firm recognized for tall buildings and innovative structural systems; a near-direct peer to FSE in high-rise, mixed-use, and complex building commissions in the U.S.
• Walter P Moore: U.S. structural engineering consultancy with expertise in long-span, high-rise, and sports/community facilities (parallel to FSE's North Austin Community Center work); directly comparable in market and project types.
• Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH): National structural engineering firm with strong adaptive reuse and building enclosure practices, including preservation of historic structures — a closely comparable specialty to FSE's Salt Shed adaptive reuse work.
• DeSimone Consulting Engineers: Structural engineering consultancy with deep high-rise and mixed-use experience in the U.S., including complex residential towers; closely comparable to FSE on tall residential and mixed-use commissions.
• KPFF Consulting Engineers: Major U.S. structural and civil engineering firm with a strong presence in commercial, residential, and adaptive reuse building projects — comparable to FSE's project mix at a significantly larger scale.

Emerging players

• StructureCraft: Mass timber engineering and construction firm focused on timber towers, CLT, and glulam structures; an emerging specialist that competes with FSE specifically on the mass timber projects at the core of FSE's differentiation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/forefront-structural-engineers
• Instagraminstagram.com/forefrontstructural

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Forefront Structural Engineers