What began as a collaboration between three seasoned professionals at a national construction firm in 2014 has since evolved into one of Texas’ most dynamic general contracting firms. ChalkLine General Contractors, founded by Trevor Spring, Ryan Ritchie, and Bryan Brown, has carved out a reputation for delivering high-quality projects with a personalized, boutique approach.

With backgrounds that complement each other — Spring in project development, Ritchie in operations, and Brown in architecture — the trio founded ChalkLine with a mission to guide developers and owners from early-stage consultation to final delivery with precision and collaboration. Their portfolio spans industrial facilities, multifamily developments, and retail/tenant improvement projects, bolstered by a deep understanding of design management.

Now four years in, the results speak for themselves. ChalkLine has delivered a range of standout projects, including Austin’s trendy Central Machine Works brewpub and the $65 million Addie’s Point multifamily community in San Marcos. Brown, who holds a master’s degree in architecture, brings a unique skillset that helps bridge the gap between aesthetics and budget. “When we enter that design room, we can talk to the architects in a way that's not combative. It's more of a partnership because we understand where they're coming from, and there’s real value in that,” Brown says.

The company's success is rooted in long-standing relationships and deep community ties. “We’ve been able to make this company exactly what we want it to be,” says Spring. “I work with Bryan to get projects from concept to construction — business development is my role, but not just that. I am also a numbers guy, and that’s my secret sauce.”

ChalkLine’s early supporters included subcontractors who were already familiar with the partners’ work and were quick to rally around the new venture. “We love Austin and have fully embraced this town as our own,” Spring says, noting how the firm's reputation and personal investment in the region helped generate early momentum.

Despite being officially established just four years ago, ChalkLine’s foundation goes back nearly a decade. “We’ve been building together for more than a decade,” Spring says. “That experience shapes the quality, efficiency, and trust we bring to every project.”

He also addresses a common misconception about design-build contractors. “A lot of people think a design-builder is a contractor who attends a few meetings with the design team at the back end of construction, and that may be true for some people. But we want to lead the charge,” says Spring. “We aim to be involved from the very first meeting with the owner and design team. Being part of those early conversations allows us to bring our experience to the table and help streamline the process for everyone involved.”

Looking ahead, Brown sees significant change on the horizon for the construction industry — particularly in how it embraces new technologies. “There are a lot of manual or redundant processes that will be eliminated — mainly in the areas of pre-construction, or operations and project management — which is a good thing.”

Still, ChalkLine’s leadership believes the company’s future lies just as much in developing people as it does in building structures. Ritchie is especially committed to mentoring emerging professionals. “Whether that's by giving them my time or just letting them know they've got a safe place to come to ask questions.” He adds, “When they know that we're willing to invest in them, it’s a much better growth opportunity for them than just throwing them in a corner and letting them spin their wheels.”

Ritchie credits his own mentors for shaping his approach to leadership. “They put down their pencils, and gave me the time of day,” he says.

The ChalkLine team is also active in giving back, participating in local volunteer days and professional organizations. Brown serves on the board of BUILT Austin, while Ritchie previously chaired the board of ABC Central Texas.

ChalkLine currently focuses on multifamily and industrial developments, responding to market demands while leveraging its ability to handle complex ground-up projects. One major effort, Addie’s Point, features 360 market-rate apartments and is currently under construction in San Marcos. “We’ve got over 100 craft workers out there now. Seeing all that activity, and knowing that as an owner, ‘Hey, I did that!’ It is pretty remarkable,” Brown says.

With headquarters in Austin and an additional office in Dallas, ChalkLine operates along the I-35 corridor, managing projects from San Antonio to the Dallas–Fort Worth area.

To learn more about ChalkLine General Contractors, visit chalklinegc.com or reach out via email at info@chalklinegc.com.

Originally reported by Chalkline General Contractors in Austin Business Journal.