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About Detroit Historic Builders

Honoring Detroit’s Past. Building for Its Future.

Whether it’s a brick-clad 1920s duplex or a century-old commercial building, we approach each project with deep respect for craftsmanship and community.

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Our Mission

Preserve what matters. Improve what’s needed. Build with purpose.

Our mission is to preserve Detroit’s historic structures by combining timeless building techniques with modern functionality. We specialize in bringing new life to aging properties—carefully restoring what can be saved and skillfully updating what must be replaced.

With every project, we aim to maintain the historic integrity of the property while improving safety, comfort, and performance.

What We Do

We focus exclusively on projects located within Detroit’s Historic Districts, serving both residential and commercial clients. Our team provides end-to-end service—from architectural drawings and permitting to hands-on construction.

Our Core Services Include:

  • Adaptive Reuse of Historic Buildings

  • Full-Scale Home Renovations

  • Exterior Restorations (Porches, Masonry, Siding)

  • Interior Upgrades (Kitchens, Baths, Flooring)

  • Structural & Foundation Repair

  • Window and Roof Restoration

  • Permitting & Compliance with Historic District Regulations

Every project is custom. Every detail matters.

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John Biggar

Vice President & Co-Founder

Mr. Biggar also worked on international competitions including the United States Embassy and the Sony European Headquarters in Berlin, Germany and the urban development project “Pontiac Marina” in Singapore which included hotels, office and retail projects. While at Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates Mr. Biggar earned his architecture license in 1991. Mr. Biggar went on to become licensed in eight states nationwide.

 

Mr. Biggar began his professional career by earning a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Architecture at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Michigan. He graduated third in his architecture class magna cum laude in 1987. Upon graduation, Mr. Biggar pursued a Master’s of Architecture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He graduated with honors in 1989.

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Upon graduation, Mr. Biggar moved to New Haven, Connecticut to join the international architecture of Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates. While at Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates Mr. Biggar worked on the headquarters for many Fortune 500 companies including Corning Glass, Borland Software and Merck Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Biggar also worked on international competitions including the United States Embassy and the Sony European Headquarters in Berlin, Germany and the urban development project “Pontiac Marina” in Singapore which included hotels, office and retail projects. While at Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates Mr. Biggar earned his architecture license in 1991. Mr. Biggar went on to become licensed in eight states nationwide.


In 1996, Mr. Biggar had an opportunity to be a partner in the recently formed architectural firm, studiozONE, llc. studiozONE, llc focused on innovative design in the urban environment of Detroit. In 2001, studiozONE, llc won an AIA Detroit award for the Huntington Woods Community Center. Mr. Biggar led studiozONE’s efforts on historic rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of many of Detroit’s historic buildings. Historic buildings Mr. Biggar worked on, including the Harmonie Club Building, the Iodent Building, the Library Lofts Building and Research Lofts.

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In 2001, Mr. Biggar was co-developer for the former Crescent Brass & Pin Company factory at 5766 Trumbull, in Detroit, Michigan. The building was purchased with the business intention of converting the former factory into high-end residential lofts and this was completed in 2010.

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Among the many activities Mr. Bigger helped facilitate the properties Brownfield designation, the addition of the property to the Secretary of the Interior’s National Registry for Historic Buildings and the purchasing of the City of Detroit’s adjacent land for green space for the project. Research Lofts was the best selling loft project in the City of Detroit from 2006-2008 and was named in Loft Magazine’s top five loft cities.

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Mr. Biggar began his professional career by earning a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Architecture at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Michigan. He graduated third in his architecture class magna cum laude in 1987. Upon graduation, Mr. Biggar pursued a Master’s of Architecture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He graduated with honors in 1989.

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Upon graduation, Mr. Biggar moved to New Haven, Connecticut to join the international architecture of Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates. While at Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates Mr. Biggar worked on the headquarters for many Fortune 500 companies including Corning Glass, Borland Software and Merck Pharmaceuticals.​​​

Brian Mooney

President & Co-Founder

As Monal diversified, Brian moved to Chicago where he spent 2 years working on Dentsply Pharmaceutical, a complex process fill facility. While in Chicago, Brian spent time honing his education on complex piping systems and graphic design of process piping. Upon completion of the project, Brian moved back to Detroit to focus in again on historic renovation. In the fall of that year, Brian married the love of his life and became a proud parent. He decided that next step in his career was to join JC Beal Construction where he spent the last seven years.

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While at JC Beal Brian worked closely with the partners to establish and solidify the Detroit market. His passion for the industry and for customer service yielded a list of clients that Brian continues to keep close to this day. Brian marketed directly to companies that he respected and wanted to help continue to grow through capital improvements. Clients such as the Detroit Zoological Society, Christ Church Detroit, The Prismatic Club of Detroit, Motor City Blight Busters, The Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit, The Detroit Windsor Tunnel, Madonna University, The Music Hall, The City of Detroit, Olympia Development, Jones Lang LaSalle, The Detroit Towers, Eastern Market, The Milner Corporation, Ford Field, The Detroit Athletic Club, and Belle Isle were all a part in helping build the Detroit office. Successful project relationships began as small projects and quickly grew into long term relationships and countless other projects. “Whether the project has a combined project of $5 dollars or $5 million dollars, at the end of the day the process must be met with the same tenacity and attention to detail. Customer service is too often overlooked in the construction industry, to me it is the most important key to a successful project.”

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Brian’s work in Detroit yielded several career awards along the way as he was named one of Crain’s Detroit Business Top 20 young professionals in Metro Detroit. He works closely as the design committee chair for the City of Clawson Downtown Development Authority, and coaches youth soccer as well. Brian was also awarded a WCA Pyramid Award for spearheading the best project team at the Detroit Zoo Dinosauria installation. As the Detroit market expanded, Brian looked to the next phase of his career.

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Bit by entrepreneurship at an early age, it had always been a dream to form his own business. In December of 2011, Brian branched out and formed Integrity Building Group headquartered in downtown Detroit. IBG Detroit focuses on the key aspect of customer service and brings a budget conscience attack to all sized renovation and new construction projects. IBG Detroit maintains close relationships with their clients and looks at all phases of a construction project to ensure it is delivered. IBG is committed to the renaissance of Detroit “IBG will be in the trenches: with hard work, passion, and integrity”.

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Brian Mooney is a proud product of Detroit. Born and raised in a family of hard working creative builders and architects, Brian was subjected to building and design at an early age. Many days were spent alongside his father, aunts, uncles, and grandfather as they built and designed projects all over Metro Detroit. Brian attended the prestigious University of Detroit Jesuit for high school before continuing on to the University of Michigan. During summers in college he formally began his career at Monal Incorporated, a historic restoration specialist focusing on challenging projects. During his tenure at Monal he worked on exciting projects such as Historic St. Anne’s Church in Detroit, Madonna University, The 47th District courthouse, The University of Michigan, and SWOCC studios.

Our Values

Preservation With Purpose

We protect the integrity of original structures while making them livable for modern families and businesses.

Quality Over
Shortcuts

We prioritize craftsmanship and durability over fast fixes or flashy trends.

Transparency at Every Step

From estimates to final walkthroughs, we ensure open communication, honest pricing, and consistent updates.

Affiliations & Credentials

We're proud members of:

  • Michigan Historic Preservation Network

  • Construction Association of Michigan

  • The American Institute of Architects

  • Masonry Institute of Michigan

These affiliations aren’t just logos on a page—they reflect our dedication to professional standards, continuing education, and industry best practices.

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