In 2025, Harold Pike Construction (HPC) marked a remarkable milestone: fifty years of shaping Ames and communities across central Iowa. Founded in 1975 by Harold and Julie Pike, the company began with a simple but powerful mission: to meet the construction needs of homeowners, businesses, developers, and Iowa State University through honest work and dependable craftsmanship.
From the beginning, HPC built its reputation on three core values: honor, pride, and commitment. Those words, still featured on the company’s website today, have guided every project and partnership over the past five decades. “Our obligation goes beyond the contract,” the company notes, a principle reflected in the care and detail they bring to every job. What started in a small Ames warehouse has evolved into a full-service operation with skilled carpenters and engineers capable of managing everything from historic renovations to large-scale institutional and commercial projects.
HPC’s portfolio reads like a tour through some of central Iowa’s most recognizable places. Their renovation of Iowa State University’s historic Morrill Hall is a standout as they transformed the 1891 building into a modern, sustainable space while preserving its architectural legacy. The company also played key roles in projects like the Ames Miracle League complex, the Gilbert High School addition and stadium complex, and the new Iowa 60Forward Center building. Beyond Ames, their footprint extends into Ankeny, Boone, Gilbert, Nevada, and Des Moines, with a range of educational, commercial, and community projects that show both versatility and staying power.
Through all this growth, Harold Pike Construction has remained deeply local. The company’s leadership and employees live, work, and invest in the same communities they build for. That local connection, paired with a strong sense of accountability, has earned them a loyal client base and a steady stream of repeat business. Their relationships with Iowa State University and numerous civic partners have helped them stay both relevant and rooted, even as construction technologies and market dynamics have changed dramatically over the years.
As HPC celebrates its 50th anniversary, the milestone is as much about people as it is about projects. It’s a celebration of the generations of tradespeople who have poured their skill and pride into every wall, beam, and foundation; of long-term clients who have trusted the company to bring their visions to life; and of the enduring belief that quality work and integrity never go out of style.
Looking ahead, Harold Pike Construction remains committed to the same values that built its reputation. Whether restoring a historic campus building, expanding a local school, or creating new spaces for businesses to grow, HPC continues to approach every job with the same care and craftsmanship that defined its first fifty years. In a region that continues to evolve, Harold Pike Construction stands as both a builder of structures and a builder of community; proof that doing things the right way, year after year, is the foundation for lasting success.