As Executive Vice President of Construction at Related Midwest, Don Biernacki oversees the building of the region’s most transformational and impactful real estate developments. Alongside his team of talented construction professionals, Biernacki is responsible for all of Related Midwest’s ground-up and renovation projects, encompassing a range of luxury, affordable and mixed-income housing, as well as mixed-use destinations. Additionally, as President of LR Contracting Company, a vertically integrated subsidiary of Related Midwest, he provides industry-leading construction management services to a national base of third-party clients, ensuring the successful execution of large-scale construction projects in urban centers across the country.
During his 34 years at Related Midwest, Biernacki has led more than 70 construction projects comprising over 10,000 new and rehabilitated housing units. They include pioneering residential developments like 500 Lake Shore Drive, OneEleven, Landmark West Loop, One Bennett Park and The Row Fulton Market, a 42-story high-rise completed in 2023. Notably, it was Chicago’s first tower co-built by an African American-owned contractor, BOWA Construction, as well as one of the city’s first “80/20” buildings – with 20% of residences set aside as affordable housing. Ongoing projects include 400 Lake Shore, a pair of residential towers at the confluence of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River, also built in conjunction with BOWA; The 78, a transformative master plan along the Chicago River that will convert a vacant, 62-acre site into a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood; 725 W. Randolph, a planned office development in the West Loop; and 8080 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, a 400-acre development site that will house the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park (IQMP), anchored by what will be one of the largest quantum computing facilities in the world.
Biernacki also oversees the renovation of Related Midwest’s affordable and mixed-income properties. They include Lathrop, an ongoing restoration on Chicago’s North Side into a mixed-income community; Roosevelt Square, a 120-acre multi-phase development on Chicago’s West Side; and Poplar Place, a 100-unit affordable family apartment community in Springfield, Ill., that underwent a full redevelopment.
Passionate about investing in the communities in which he works, Biernacki created a mentorship program at Related Midwest for new minority- and women-owned businesses, supporting their operations and growth. In 2019, he co-founded HIRE360 to enhance opportunities for underrepresented groups in Chicago's hospitality, manufacturing and construction sectors. Reflecting his long-standing commitment to diversity, he prioritizes community hiring, including minority- and women-owned businesses, creating opportunities for them in high-profile projects. His efforts earned him the Award of Honor from the Chicago Building Congress and recognition as a Distinguished Labor Leader from Rev. Jesse Jackson's Rainbow PUSH Coalition for his leadership and commitment to local businesses.
Outside of his work at Related Midwest and LR Contracting, Biernacki is involved in numerous community and charitable organizations. He currently serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for Saturday Place and Board Chair of HIRE360. Biernacki is a former board member and President of the Board of Directors of SOS Children’s Villages Illinois. He also previously served as a member of the Oak Lawn Community High School District 229 School Board.
Biernacki earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Niles College of Loyola University.
