The Jacobs Companies – celebrating more than 80 years of innovation and trust in homebuilding.
Family Owned
Albert S. Jacobs founded The Jacobs Companies in 1935 with a tract of land, and homes that he sold for $12,000. With his eldest son Marvin by his side, the Jacobs legacy was born, quickly expanding to several successful developments in Northbrook. Albert’s youngest son Joe joined the team, and together they built a solid reputation on the tenets of excellence, honesty and innovation.
In 1983, The Jacobs Companies added a third generation when Marvin’s son Keith stepped proudly into the family business. Today Keith carries on the family tradition as President and CEO, bringing the same vision, attention to detail and hands-on approach that launched the company. Marvin, now in his 90s, still plays an active role in the business where his children herald the company’s fourth generation.
In addition to Marvin’s success leading his family’s business, he also had a distinguished military career, serving as a paratrooper in World War II. After an injury at the Battle of the Bulge, Marvin was awarded the Purple Heart. In November 2016, Marvin’s military service was honored at the Chicago Bears/Boeing Military Salute during a home game at Soldier Field. Marvin was chosen out of thousands of war veterans for this tribute after his son Keith wrote a letter to the Bears organization describing how his father, who played two high school championship football games at Soldier Field, always dreamed of hearing his name announced in the stadium. That dream came true that Sunday afternoon. View a video of the event here.
Keith Jacobs maintains exceptionally high standards by nurturing an intimate connection to every project, and guiding the TJC team of experienced professionals both internally and on the job site. Since 1935 and through many economic cycles, The Jacobs Companies has never lost sight of the belief that success is measured solely by the satisfaction and happiness of each and every homeowner.
Experience and Depth of Knowledge
The Jacobs Companies’ powerful family legacy is built into its more than 6,000 custom and semi-custom homes and 44 developments in more than 12 Chicago suburbs. “Every home has my name on it, so we want to make every home perfect,” Keith says. It’s a legacy as strong and reliable as the homes built by The Jacobs Companies.
Among the advantages of working with the TJC team is its customer-driven approach—like the efficient single-point solution. At the company headquarters in Deerfield, a full design center presents busy homebuyers the opportunity to browse and choose options for tile, granite, carpeting, wood, cabinetry and more. “We try to simplify the process,” says Keith Jacobs. On top of that, The Jacobs Companies can provide lending and closing assistance, and customization for anything from hardware to fireplace mantles. As Keith says, “We offer everything from start to finish.”
Excellence
Always an innovator in the industry, The Jacobs Companies pioneered many luxuries that are commonplace for new homes today: air conditioning, custom floor plans and the opportunity to import materials to satisfy customer preferences. This longevity and consistent drive to innovate and exceed expectations has led to thousands of satisfied homeowners and countless repeat clients.
Combined with clear communication and a dedication to honesty, 80+ years of experience translates to a smooth process for all involved, from the cities and villages to the contractors and ultimately the homebuyers. Another thing homebuyers can count on: The Jacobs Companies does not miss delivery dates, often completing projects early.
The Jacobs Companies’ focus on quality far exceeds industry standards. It is customary for Jacobs’ homes to go beyond minimum code requirements, with environmentally conscious strategies always part of the planning. The level of service to customers also extends beyond even the move-in date, with ongoing support available at any time. Effective collaboration among all disciplines, attention to detail and the care to build relationships with its clients means The Jacobs Companies gets the job done right. It means the difference between building a home and making a client feel at home.
Keith Jacobs
President, CEO
Keith Jacobs literally grew up in the business of building homes on the North Shore. It was his grandfather Albert S. Jacobs who launched the company in the 1930s, and his father Marvin who still plays an active role in the company. After graduating from the School of Public Environmental Affairs at Indiana University, Keith joined the business full time. He started working with his father in 1986. He had never worked anywhere else, so he thought he knew everything at that point, but realized there was plenty still to learn. He hasn’t stopped learning, now bringing his own vast experience to the innovations and successes at The Jacobs Companies. The Highland Park resident finds time outside of work to cook, travel, ski and spend as much time as possible with his wife and three children, who are starting to dip their own toes in the family business, beginning what will be the fourth generation of Jacobs.
