Our Legacy | Rivard Masonry — Four Generations of North Shore Craftsmanship

Rivard Masonry master craftsman at work on a commercial stone project

Our Philosophy

Founded on Master Craftsmanship

1976: The Foundation

Rivard Masonry began in Lakemoor, Illinois, with a simple philosophy: never compromise the integrity of the build. What started as a single crew with a deep understanding of Midwestern brick and stone has evolved into the North Shore's premier masonry firm. But while our scale has grown over the last 50 years to handle multi-story commercial buildouts, our core family values remain unchanged.

Whether we are laying a concrete block foundation for a new multi-unit development in Lake Forest, or hand-chiseling a bespoke limestone fireplace for a family in Glencoe, the Rivard name is on the line. We don't farm out our work to faceless subcontractors. We are intimately involved in the logistics, the material sourcing, and the on-site execution. We build it as if we were building it for our own legacy—because we are.

View Our Timeline

What We Stand For

The Rivard Values

Four generations of masonry have distilled our family philosophy into four guiding principles. These are not marketing slogans—they are the standards we hold ourselves to on every jobsite, every day.

Uncompromising Integrity

We do not cut corners on what cannot be seen. The footing, the moisture barrier, the mortar mix—these hidden elements determine whether a wall stands for five years or five decades. We build for the latter, even when no one is looking.

Every Project

Generational Craftsmanship

True masonry is an art form passed down through generations. You cannot learn how to flawlessly color-match 100-year-old historic mortar from a textbook. You learn it by watching a master mason work, year after year. The Rivard family brings generations of this tactile, hands-on knowledge to every site.

Family Tradition

The Personal Touch

When you hire Rivard Masonry, you are not hiring a faceless crew. You are welcoming the Rivard family into your home or business. We personally oversee every project from the first consultation to the final cleanup, ensuring that the stonework we leave behind will stand as a testament to your taste for generations.

Direct Involvement

Enduring Legacy

We don't just build walls; we build the enduring structures that house families and businesses for generations. Every stone we lay, every brick we set, and every joint we tuck is done with the understanding that our work will outlast us all. That is the Rivard legacy.

Built to Last

Material Mastery

We understand stone not just as a building material, but as a living element that breathes, expands, and weathers. From the porosity of Indiana limestone to the thermal expansion of Chicago brick, we select and work with materials that are suited to the specific demands of the Midwestern climate.

Expert Sourcing

Community Stewardship

The North Shore is our home, too. We take pride in preserving its architectural heritage, training the next generation of local masons, and maintaining relationships with North Shore suppliers and craftsmen that span decades. What we build belongs to the community.

Local Pride

Our Journey

Five Decades of Rivard Masonry

From a single crew in Lake County to the North Shore's most trusted masonry family. Each decade brought new challenges, new techniques, and new reasons to be proud of the Rivard name.

1

1976 — The Foundation

Gerald Rivard founded the company with a single pickup truck, a wheelbarrow, and an unwavering belief that honest work and honest materials would speak for themselves. The first projects were small residential repairs and backyard patios in Lake County, but the craftsmanship was undeniable. Word spread quickly.

Early masonry work from the Rivard family archive

2

1985 — Expanding the Family

Gerald's sons, Michael and David, joined the crew full-time after completing their apprenticeships. The company expanded from residential repairs to full-scale new construction, building foundations and masonry shells for custom homes across McHenry and Lake counties. The Rivard name became synonymous with structural reliability.

Rivard Masonry retaining wall construction in the 1980s

3

1995 — The North Shore Calling

As the North Shore's historic homes began to require sensitive restoration, discerning homeowners sought masons who understood heritage craft. The Rivards answered that call, developing proprietary techniques for historic mortar analysis and color matching that set them apart from standard contractors. Tuckpointing became an art form in their hands.

Historic brick restoration on a North Shore estate

4

2005 — Commercial Mastery

With three generations now on-site, Rivard Masonry expanded into commercial construction, completing multi-unit residential masonry shells, commercial block walls, and veneer installations for developers across the Chicago metro area. The same family oversight that defined residential work was applied to projects of increasing complexity and responsibility.

Commercial masonry construction by Rivard Masonry

5

2015 — The Fourth Generation

The fourth generation of Rivards joined the family business, bringing modern project management and digital design tools to complement decades of hands-on masonry knowledge. This blend of old-world craft and contemporary efficiency allowed the company to take on increasingly complex architectural stonework while maintaining the personal touch that defined the Rivard name.

Custom fireplace installation by the fourth generation of Rivard masons

6

2025 — A Legacy Enduring

Today, Rivard Masonry stands as the North Shore's premier masonry firm, with over 1,200 projects completed and a client satisfaction rate that reflects our family's commitment to excellence. From Lakemoor, we continue to build the structures that define Chicago's most prestigious communities—one stone at a time, just as we always have.

Modern Rivard Masonry project showcasing five decades of growth

Our Materials

Master Materials Sourced With Care

Great masonry begins with exceptional stone. We source only the finest materials from quarries and reclamation yards across the Midwest, ensuring every project is built from stone that is as beautiful as it is durable.

Indiana Limestone

The gold standard for high-end architectural trim, sills, and fireplace surrounds. We source the finest, most durable limestone and shape it to exacting classical or modern specifications. Quarried from the heart of Indiana, this dense stone weathers beautifully and carries a warmth that synthetic materials cannot replicate.

Best for: Fireplaces & Veneers

Reclaimed Chicago Brick

Bringing historic character to modern builds. We are experts at working with reclaimed materials, understanding how to lay and tuckpoint older bricks to ensure modern structural integrity. Salvaged from the demolition of historic Chicago buildings, these "Old Chicago" bricks bring unmatched character and patina.

Best for: Restoration & Accents

Natural Bluestone

A dense, fine-grained sandstone prized for its rich blue-gray color and exceptional slip resistance. Ideal for patios, walkways, and pool surrounds where both beauty and safety underfoot are paramount. We source bluestone from Pennsylvania and New York quarries known for consistent color and density.

Best for: Patios & Walkways

Flagstone

Irregular, natural stone slabs that create organic, rustic pathways and terraces. Each piece is unique, laid by hand to create a living surface that feels centuries old from the moment it is set. We select flagstone for its thickness and structural integrity, not just its surface beauty.

Best for: Garden Paths & Terraces

River Rock & Fieldstone

Rounded, water-worn stones that bring an organic, naturalistic feel to fireplaces and accent walls. Sourced from riverbeds and fields, these stones create textural depth that catches light and shadow beautifully. We hand-select each stone for color harmony and structural fit.

Best for: Fireplaces & Accent Walls

Natural Stone Veneer

From rugged mountain ledgestone to smooth, modern ashlar cuts. We meticulously manage the moisture barriers, flashing, and masonry ties required to hang heavy stone facades flawlessly. Our veneer systems are engineered to withstand decades of freeze-thaw cycles without failure.

Best for: Exterior Facades

Client Stories

Words From North Shore Families

We are proud to have built lasting relationships with families across the North Shore. Here is what they say about working with the Rivard family.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"The Rivards treated our 1920s Glencoe home as if it were their own. The tuckpointing is invisible — you cannot tell where the old mortar ends and the new begins. Their attention to historic detail is unmatched. Five generations of our family have lived in this house, and thanks to Rivard, it will stand for five more."

Elizabeth Hartmann Glencoe, IL — Historic Restoration

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"We interviewed five masons for our outdoor living space. Rivard was the only one who brought engineering drawings to the first meeting. The limestone retaining walls and bluestone patio are the envy of our neighborhood. But more than that, the Rivards were respectful, punctual, and left our property spotless."

David & Sarah Chen Barrington, IL — Estate Hardscaping

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"Our floor-to-ceiling river rock fireplace is the centerpiece of our home. Mr. Rivard personally selected each stone for color and texture. The craftsmanship is extraordinary — every guest asks who built it. When you hire Rivard, you are not getting a contractor. You are getting a family that cares deeply about their work."

Michael Thornton Lake Forest, IL — Custom Fireplace

Start Your Project

Begin the Conversation

Ready to build with a family that has stone dust in its blood? Contact the Rivard family for a complimentary on-site consultation and estimate. No pressure, no obligation — just honest expertise from four generations of master masons.

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Submissions go directly to jesse@rivardmasonry.com. For urgent inquiries, call (847) 542-9558.

Phone & Email

(847) 542-9558

jesse@rivardmasonry.com

Office Address

Rivard Masonry
Lakemoor, IL

Business Hours

Monday – Friday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM SaturdayBy appointment SundayClosed

Licensing & Insurance

Fully licensed in Illinois. Comprehensive general liability and workers' compensation insurance. Bonded for projects up to $5 million.