Seattle-based general contractor Sellen Construction Co. Inc. is expanding into Spokane County with a new office in the University District.

The company’s expanded territory covers Eastern Washington, North Idaho, and Western Montana, says Chris Martindale, president of the Inland Northwest region at Sellen Construction.

“It’s not too hard to convince anybody to come to Spokane, the sunny side of the state,” says Martindale, who lived in Spokane prior to joining Sellen in Seattle. “It’s something we’ve been looking at for a few years and finally landed on Spokane as the epicenter for the Inland Northwest.”

Several of Sellen’s clients, including Boeing Employees’ Credit Union, Premera Blue Cross, MultiCare Health System, and Providence Health & Services-Washington, have a presence in both Seattle and Spokane, making the area a natural choice for a second office, Martindale says.

Sellen's new 3,000-square-foot office, at 429 E. Sprague, is located directly west of the Catalyst Building. Previously occupied by Re/Max Inland Empire, the brick-and-mortar office opened in July and has a few minor interior improvements still underway.

Spokane-based JNW Inc., which does business as Baldwin Sign Co., is installing a new sign on the building’s front facade, he adds.

Martindale is using the space to meet with clients and community leaders to integrate into the community and prepare for additional projects.

“This is our first true office expansion,” he says. “Part of what we wanted to do was work with local companies that have been around and show that we’re here to be partners.” 

Companywide, Sellen employs about 400 people. Three employees, including Martindale, have moved to Spokane to staff the new office, he says, adding that the number of Spokane-based employees is expected to grow as the company adapts to the market.

In the future, Martindale expects to hire additional project managers, engineers, and superintendents from the Spokane area.

The general contractor’s annual revenue has ranged between $450 million and $900 million historically, says Martindale. He declines to disclose the company's projected revenue for 2026.

Founded in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood in 1944, Sellen is a full-service general contractor handling both small repairs and renovations to major commercial, healthcare, manufacturing, and civic developments.

“We’ll be taking that same kind of approach here with smaller tenant improvement work, but then being able to scale up when there is a larger project,” says Martindale.

On the West Side, Sellen's work includes the Elliott Bay Connections waterfront parks restoration project, Amazon.com Inc.’s corporate headquarters, and the Seattle Children’s Hospital, says Martindale.

In Eastern Washington, the company is involved in the construction of a 3,000-square-foot BECU branch in Liberty Lake at the corner of Indiana Avenue and Harvard Road. The company also is involved in an undisclosed healthcare building development in the Spokane area, Martindale adds.

As the firm settles into its new footprint, Martindale anticipates building strong ties to the community and taking on more projects throughout the area, he says.

“Our purpose is to improve the lives around us as builders, partners, and neighbors,” he says. “We don't want to just be a builder; we want to show up and be a part of the community.”

*Project update

Archangels Academy LLC, of Spokane Valley, is planning a $1 million renovation of the Parkwater Schoolhouse, at 5634 E. Commerce, in Spokane, for a new early learning center, according to permit information filed with the city of Spokane.

The tenant improvement project is planned to encompass about 8,000 square feet, permit information shows. The property is located less than half a mile south of Felts Field.

Spokane-based Baker Construction & Development Inc. is the general contractor. Trek Architecture and Axia Structural PLLC, both of Spokane, are providing architectural and engineering services, respectively, according to permit information.

The company purchased the 8,800-square-foot three-story event space and former school in May for $690,000, according to Washington state tax information. The building was originally erected in 1913 and remodeled in 1991. Archangels Academy operates childcare centers in Spokane Valley as Guardian Angels Childcare, according to the company’s website.