The heart of Icon Building Group’s homebuilding mission
Navigating the ever-changing real estate market, Icon Building Group (Icon) has built a reputation for exceptional homebuilding and remodeling. Led by husband-and-wife duo Charlie and Jenny Murphy, Icon specializes in real estate development, extensive remodels, and custom home construction – all while maintaining a commitment to simplifying the homebuilding process for their clients.
From vision to reality
Sitting down with Charlie and Jenny, we learn how Icon came to be.
“The foundation of Icon actually starts with another company,” Charlie shares. “I originally partnered with three college friends to launch a business, which we sold in 2000. A few years later, in 2006, I decided to invest in a real estate project to build equity.”
Despite limited construction knowledge at the time, Charlie dove into the industry, learning how to build, develop, and sell real estate from the ground up.
“During the 2008 market downturn, we focused on acquiring underperforming real estate, which allowed us to expand our expertise. Over time, we grew into a full-service company – developing communities, building custom homes, and expanding into remodeling services.”
Today, Icon has evolved into a multi-faceted company with three primary divisions:
Custom Homes – Assisting clients in sourcing land or building on land they already own.
Remodeling Services – Transforming basements, kitchens, bathrooms, and entire homes.
Real Estate Development – Purchasing and revitalizing underperforming assets.
But what truly sets Icon apart?
A company built on customer trust
“There are three key things that make us different,” Charlie explains.
1️. Putting clients first: “We don’t just build homes – we help people make the best decisions for their needs, budget, and lifestyle. If a client would be better off not doing a project, we’ll tell them. We see ourselves as stewards of our customers’ investment, not just a business looking to make a sale.”
2️. Commitment to service: “Because we own the company, we hold ourselves accountable – not just to our clients, but to our employees and trade partners. We go the extra mile to ensure a positive experience. Once, when a project deadline was delayed and a client had nowhere to stay, we moved into one of our spec homes so they could live in our apartment. That’s how much we care.”
In addition to service, quality partnerships based on trust and integrity are crucial to Icon’s success. “At Icon, we know that building a home is one of the biggest investments our clients will ever make, and having the right financial partner is key to making that process smooth and stress-free. And that’s exactly why we value working with The Federal Savings Bank – a lender that understands homeowners’ needs. Whether it’s securing the best rates, using existing equity for greater stability, or simply guiding clients toward the right loan for their future, The Federal Savings Bank is committed to making homeownership attainable. Their expertise and dedication to customer goals align perfectly with our own mission: to simplify the homebuilding process and create homes that stand the test of time.”
3️. Guiding clients through the process: “Building or remodeling a home involves so many moving parts, and it can feel overwhelming. We help clients navigate those decisions every step of the way.”
A key part of that process? Icon’s expansive Design Center.
“Design Center is where clients can draft their dream home and see, touch, and experience materials firsthand. It’s open seven days a week and serves as a one-stop shop for everything from CAD drawings to project management,” Jenny explains.
“By finalizing design selections early, we streamline construction and eliminate last-minute stress. It might take more time upfront, but it leads to a smoother, more enjoyable experience.”
Building for the future
Icon’s focus on client relationships has led to some unique projects – like a recent father-son duo of luxury homes.
“We had a client we built a home for three years ago, and recently, he asked us to build one for his father – right next door!” Charlie shares. “Both homes are high-end, but the process was more family focused. They wanted to create spaces where they could enjoy time together, without ever leaving their homes.”
Jenny adds, “The son’s house has a sports court, golf simulator, professional spa, and a climbing wall. The father’s house? An indoor, five-lane Olympic-size swimming pool! They even added a bowling alley – not because they’re bowling enthusiasts, but because they saw it as an activity everyone in the family could enjoy together. That’s what makes homebuilding special – it’s about creating spaces that truly fit our clients’ lives.”
Charlie and Jenny recently completed building their own home, gaining firsthand experience from both a client and builder perspective.
What’s next for Icon?
Looking ahead, Icon is focused on continued growth.
“We’d love to take on more downtown projects, especially as urban living trends shift,” Charlie says. “One-off custom homes and remodels will always be at our core, but we’re also expanding into commercial remodels and real estate development.”
“At the end of the day, our mission remains the same – to simplify the homebuilding process and create spaces that people truly love,” Jenny concludes.
With a customer-first approach and a passion for innovation, Icon Building Group is shaping the future of homebuilding – one dream home at a time.