Minneapolis, MN — EFH Co., a third-generation design-build contractor and commercial real estate firm headquartered in the Twin Cities, has been honored with an Eagle Award for Excellence in Construction from the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Minnesota for its work on the Kowalski’s Market location at Southdale Center in Edina, Minnesota. The award recognizes outstanding achievement in commercial construction by merit shop contractors and reflects EFH Co’s commitment to delivering complex, high-quality builds that serve both clients and communities.
The Kowalski’s Market project involved a nearly 40,000-square-foot design-build interior build-out within Southdale Center, widely recognized as the first enclosed shopping mall in the United States. EFH Co. converted a long-vacant former Herberger’s department store, originally constructed in the mid-1950s, into a modern, full-service grocery and food hall destination that now serves thousands of Edina-area residents and Southdale shoppers every day.
“This project is a testament to what a skilled, coordinated team can accomplish in a genuinely challenging environment,” said Madison Whalen, Director of Operations at EFH. “From the 95-foot deep footings to the 20,000-pound mechanical lift over an occupied mall, every phase demanded precision and problem-solving. We’re proud of what we built and proud of what it means for the Southdale community.”
The project presented an exceptional range of technical and logistical challenges, including the coordination of over 200 floor penetrations for refrigeration and mechanical systems, installation of a 20,000-pound rooftop mechanical unit via large crane lift over the active mall, soil reinforcement and new footings extending 95 feet below grade to clear the existing mall foundation, simultaneous construction across three building levels, including a 3,000-square-foot basement office suite, and ongoing collaboration with Southdale’s mall management and a concurrent adjacent tenant build-out.
The project was executed under EFH Co.’s design-build delivery model, with only architectural drawings in hand at the project’s start. Engineering, trade coordination, and sequencing were resolved collaboratively as construction progressed, which is a hallmark of EFH Co.’s approach to complex commercial projects.
The Kowalski’s Market at Southdale is the latest in a series of more than five Kowalski’s locations EFH has delivered, reflecting a long-standing client relationship grounded in trust, repeat performance, and shared commitment to quality retail experiences. The project’s successful delivery has also led to an ongoing construction relationship with Southdale Center’s ownership group.
“EFH has been a member of ABC since the 1990s, and this recognition affirms what we’ve always believed: that merit shop contractors can take on any project and deliver a product the public can be proud of,” said Whalen. “Seeing thousands of people walk through those doors every day is the real reward.”
The ABC Excellence in Construction Awards honor commercial construction projects that demonstrate exceptional workmanship, safety performance, and technical complexity. The Kowalski’s Market project was selected as a standout example of what the merit shop construction community can achieve.
About EFH Construction
EFH Construction is a third-generation, family-owned design-build general contractor and commercial real estate firm serving clients throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Iowa. Specializing in commercial construction projects ranging from $500K to $10M+, EFH brings a rare combination of construction expertise and in-house real estate services, including brokerage, leasing, and property management of approximately 700,000 square feet, to every client engagement. Founded on a commitment to long-term relationships and quality workmanship, EFH has been part of the Twin Cities commercial real estate community since 1983.
