Skip to Main Content

About Us

Our Company

GCS-SIGAL is a results-driven general contractor specializing in interior-fit-outs, renovations, historic modernizations, adaptive reuse, and new construction projects, including commercial office, schools, recreation centers, and multi-family housing. We believe that our people, partnerships, and collaborative approach are the driving force in achieving outstanding results.

Our team’s award-winning service has earned recognition from numerous local and national organizations, including the Washington Building Congress, Engineering News Record, DC Preservation League, Associated Builders and Contractors, NAIOP, and more.

Leadership

By fostering a culture of collaboration and driving innovation, GCS‑SIGAL’s leadership empowers every team member to excel. Together, we deliver remarkable construction projects that not only meet and exceed our clients’ expectations but also enrich our communities.

View All Leadership

Our History

As we approach our 50th anniversary in 2027, GCS-SIGAL proudly builds on a legacy of excellence, continuously delivering projects, both public and private, that strengthen and inspire the communities we serve.

2023

GCS-SIGAL officially welcomes longtime employees Gabe Oliver and Dan Waldo as partners, joining President Michael Sigal on the leadership team.

 

Their appointment reflected the company’s commitment to growth, innovation, and delivering the highest standard of service to our clients.

2018

SIGAL Construction relocates to Washington, DC and officially combines with GCS, Inc. to form GCS-SIGAL, a general contractor dedicated to excellence and specializing in interiors, base building, multifamily, and public projects.

 

“By bringing the two companies together under one roof in a collaborative environment, we’ve strengthened our operations and are built for growth,” said Michael Sigal, president of GCS-SIGAL.

GCSSIGAL Leadership at Yost Place Offices

2017

The GCS-SIGAL joint venture completes the Duke Ellington School of the Arts modernization project, transforming the historic school into the District’s showpiece for public and arts education.

 

The project earned widespread recognition for its exceptional design, innovation, and craftsmanship, receiving numerous accolades, including the ENR Mid-Atlantic Project of the Year and multiple WBC Craftsmanship Awards—among them a prestigious Star Award for Technical Excellence.

Duke Ellington School of the Arts

2016

SIGAL Construction completes Discovery Elementary School in Arlington, VA.

 

Upon its opening, Discovery Elementary became the largest net-zero energy elementary school in the United States, setting a new standard for sustainable school design.

Discovery Elementary School -

2014

Gerry Sigal was honored as a Washingtonian of the Year, highlighting his dedication to strengthening the community through both his professional work and philanthropic efforts.

 

Through his leadership at SIGAL Construction, he helped shape the region’s skyline and supported workforce development by helping to found the DC Students Construction Trades Foundation. His efforts also included serving on the National Building Museum board and organizing a relief fund for families of 9/11 victims at the Pentagon. His commitment to building not just structures, but a stronger, more resilient community, made him a deserving recipient of this honor.

Gerry SIGAL Washingtonian of the Year

2011

Beginning in 2007, GCS Inc. and SIGAL Construction joint venture as GCS-SIGAL to complete several large-scale DC Public School modernizations using the Design-Build delivery method, including Jackson Reed High School and Cardozo Education Campus. These projects were part of the Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization (OPEFM) groundbreaking 15-year, $3.5 billion capital campaign. Led by former Executive Director Allen Lew, OPEFM aimed at revitalizing the DC public schools portfolio whose buildings had often gone without significant updates for decades. Upon completion, these GCS-SIGAL projects garnered many accolades, including numerous AIA design awards and awards for Excellence in Historic Preservation from the DC Historic Preservation Review Board.

Jackson Reed High School - Atrium with Skylight

2006

Gerry Sigal helps found the DC Students Construction Trades Foundation and the public/private partnership that created the Academy of Construction & Design.

 

This initiative aimed to provide young people, especially those from underserved communities, with the skills and opportunities to pursue careers in the construction industry.

Students wiring light fixtures at Cardozo Education Campus

2004

GCS, Inc. registers as a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) in Washington, DC, expanding into general contracting and construction management services, and opens a second office in downtown DC.

 

This certification marked the beginning of a longstanding commitment to delivering excellent public projects for the DC Department of General Services (DGS) that continues today.

GCS-INC

1993

SIGAL Construction becomes a founding member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), taking a leading role in transforming how the construction industry addresses its environmental impact.

 

By joining the USGBC, SIGAL Construction helped promote sustainable building practices and championed the adoption of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

Discovery Elementary School

1987

SIGAL Development and SIGAL Construction work on high-profile projects including the Bond Building and the Evening Star Building in Downtown Washington, DC.

 

Notably, the Bond Building was originally built in 1901 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. Between 1985 and 1986, the façade was incorporated into a new building on the original site.

Bond Building During Renovation

1986

Gerry Sigal establishes Georgetown Construction Services (GCS, Inc.), initially as a carpentry and labor company to support SIGAL Construction projects.

GCS Inc. Reclaimed Wood Wall

1985

Responding to the evolving commercial real estate landscape, Gerry and Ellen Sigal establish SIGAL Development, showcasing versatility in construction and development.

 

Over the next several years, SIGAL Development had become one of Washington’s top 20 developers.

Gerry and Ellen Sigal

1983

Inc. Magazine recognizes SIGAL Construction as the fastest-growing private company in the nation, boasting an impressive growth of 20,214% since its founding in 1977. In the five years since its inception, the firm expanded its workforce from just six employees to 48.

 

Since 1982, Inc. Magazine has compiled a list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S., ranking them based on their revenue increase over a five-year span.

High Rise and Hansome

1978

SIGAL Construction moves to the Papermill Building in Georgetown, DC, marking a pivotal milestone in the company’s growth.

 

Gerry Sigal’s core philosophy of service, integrity, and respect began to shape SIGAL Construction’s corporate culture, laying the foundation for the values that continue to guide the company today.

Papermill Building

1977

With only $2,214, Gerry and Ellen Sigal start SIGAL Construction Corporation (SIGAL Construction) out of their family home in Potomac, MD.

 

SIGAL Construction’s first project was finishing the interior of new offices for an accounting firm.

Sigal Family Home

Core Values

Teamwork

Communication

Mindset - Project Managers on Site

Mindset

Technology at GCS-SIGAL

Technology

Superintendent give Educational Tour of Prologis Warehouse

Ownership

Connection - Stead Park Ribbon Cutting

Connection

Project Managers in PPE

Safety

GCS-SIGAL has continuously refined and expanded our safety program to meet the evolving demands of modern construction sites. This dedication has been recognized with the STEP Silver Safety Certification from the Associated Builders and Contractors, a testament to our commitment to safety excellence.

By leveraging tools like Procore, we enhance communication and collaboration, equipping our teams with the necessary tools, training, and compliance measures to maintain a safe work environment. We take pride in our ability to assemble the best teams for our clients, selecting highly skilled and qualified trade partners who share our commitment to safety, quality, and craftsmanship. For consideration, all trade contractors and suppliers are required to prequalify.

Sustainability

As a founding member of the US Green Building Council, GCS-SIGAL has been at the forefront of the industry’s sustainable building practices. We have delivered dozens of LEED-certified projects and remains invested in making the DC region the nation’s healthiest, greenest, and most livable
metro area. By adhering to the triple bottom line
principle—financial, social, and environmental performance—we ensure client satisfaction while supporting their sustainability goals.

View Case Study
Malcolm X Elementary School Renovation and Expansion in Progress

Certifications

As a longtime resident-owned business, GCS-SIGAL is a strong advocate of supporting local businesses. We are a 12-point Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) in the District of Columbia and we are proud to have met or exceeded our local business participation goals on every project.