AIA Info
About Unique Development Companies, Inc.
The American Institute of Architects is the largest global design organization, representing over 101,000 members whose mission is to transform architecture practice toward a zero-carbon, resilient, and equitable built environment and known for producing industry-standard AIA Contract Documents, used to define roles and manage risk in construction projects.
Unique Development Companies Inc. is a licensed architects (AIA) member. You can both view and/or download our company’s qualifications overview below.
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About Unique Development Companies, Inc.
Since opening its doors in 1987, Unique Development Companies, Inc. (UDC) has built a reputation as a trusted leader in commercial construction, design, and development throughout the Northeast. Founded by Joseph Piciucco, an accomplished architect with more than a decade of experience at respected firms such as King + King Architects, Hueber Hares & Glavin, and Design Collective Architects, UDC was established to bridge a crucial gap between design intent and construction execution.
Early in his career, Joe saw firsthand how communication breakdowns between architects, contractors, and owners could derail project timelines and budgets. His vision was simple but transformative: create a construction firm that understands the architect’s perspective, speaks the owner’s language, and delivers consistent quality from concept through completion.
That vision became the foundation of Unique Design & Development, Inc. (UDD) in 1987 and later Unique Development Companies, Inc. (UDC) in 2003, expanding the company’s focus to include general contracting, design–build delivery, and turnkey development services. Over the decades, Unique has successfully completed hundreds of projects across the restaurant, retail, entertainment, office, and healthcare sectors—earning the trust and repeat business of national brands and regional operators alike.
Today, UDC’s success is defined by its relationships, its craftsmanship, and its commitment to collaboration. More than 70% of projects come from returning clients—a testament to the firm’s integrity, precision, and ability to deliver on promises. Every build, regardless of scale, is guided by meticulous planning, clear communication, and hands-on project leadership that ensures every detail is completed to client satisfaction.
Whether developing a new restaurant prototype, building out a retail flagship, or constructing a healthcare or athletic facility, Unique Development Companies brings the same guiding principles to every project: honesty, trust, and performance-driven results.
Featured Projects
Joey’s Italian Restaurant | Syracuse, NY
Joey’s is a repeat-customer project for a local developer and longtime Syracuse-area staple. Unique was entrusted with preserving the family atmosphere while modernizing the space. The new restaurant was constructed next door while the original location remained fully operational. After opening, the existing restaurant was demolished, the site was filled, and the area was converted to parking. Both Joey’s and Erie Canal Pickleball were delivered as design-build projects, which required continuous design coordination as scope evolved and construction progressed.
Erie Canal Pickleball | DeWitt, NY
Erie Canal Pickleball was completed for the same ownership group as Joey’s and DeWitt Town Plaza. Inspired by the rapid growth of pickleball in Florida, the owner partnered with Unique to bring a premium indoor pickleball concept to Central New York. As a design-build project, the scope required close coordination and decision-making throughout construction to keep progress aligned with the evolving design intent.
IKEA | Destiny USA, Syracuse, NY
IKEA’s Destiny USA location was awarded to Unique after multiple rounds of interviews, following a recommendation from Pyramid Management Group. Unique competed against larger out-of-town firms and was selected to deliver the project on a tight schedule to support an opening by Black Friday 2025. Unique met the date, and is now an approved General Contractor for IKEA for future opportunities. During construction, IKEA brought in hundreds of retail staff to support merchandising and setup—making day-to-day coordination with the retail team a priority.
Supporting Project Highlights
Rejuvn8 | New Hartford, NY
Interior build-out for a medical aesthetics office in New Hartford. The finished space features a clean, modern aesthetic with bright finishes and carefully detailed millwork.
Tropical Smoothie Café | DeWitt, NY & Camillus, NY
Tenant fit-up for a Tropical Smoothie Café location, delivered to brand standards with a bright, customer-friendly interior and durable finishes suited for high-traffic food service operations.
Alloy Personal Training | Syracuse, NY
Build-out for a boutique personal training studio. The project emphasizes brand presence and a clean, functional training environment designed to support daily coaching and client sessions.
THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE of ARCHITECTS
AIA Document A305
CONTRACTORS QUALIFICATION STATEMENT
Substitute AIA Document A305
1986 Edition
Note: This substitute AIA A305 is a for approved and recommended by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) for use in evaluating the qualifications of contractors. No endorsement of the submitting party or verification of the information is made by the AIA or AGC.
The Undersigned certifies under oath that the information provided below is true and sufficiently complete so as not to be misleading.
| SUBMITTED TO: | All Clients |
| SUBMITTED BY: | Unique Development Companies Inc. FEDERAL I.D. #14-1881897 Unique Design & Development Companies FEDERAL I.D. #16-1334568 |
| NAME & TITLE: | Joseph Piciucco, President |
ORGANIZATION
1.1 How many years has your organization been in business as a Contractor?
20 years Unique Development Companies Inc.
37 years Unique Design & Development Companies Inc.
1.2 How many years has your organization been in business under its present name?
20 years Unique Development Companies Inc.
37 years Unique Design & Development Companies Inc.
1.2.1 Under what other or former names has your organization operated?
N/A
a. If your organization is a corporation, answer the following questions:
| Date of Incorporation: | Unique Development Companies Inc. 4/29/2003 Unique Design & Development Companies 6/1/1987 |
| i. State of incorporation: | New York |
| ii. President’s name: | Joseph Piciucco |
| iii. Vice President’s name: | Dan Piciucco |
| iv. Secretary’s name: | Joseph Piciucco |
| v. Treasurer’s name: | N/A |
EXPERIENCE
3.1 List of categories of work that your organization normally performs with its own forces
General Construction, Construction Management, Metal Stud & GWB, Doors & Hardware, Finished Hardware
3.2 Claims and suits
3.2.1 Has your organization ever failed to complete any work awarded to it? NO
3.2.2 Are there any judgments, claims, and arbitration proceedings or suits pending or Outstanding against your organization or its officers? NO
3.2.3 Has your organization filed any law suits or requested Arbitration with regard to Construction contracts within the last five years? NO
3.3 Within the past five years, has any officer or principal of your organization ever been An officer or principal of another organization when it failed to complete a construction Contract? NO
3.4 On a separate sheet, list major construction projects your organization has in progress Giving the name of project, owner, Architect, contract amount, percent complete, and Scheduled completion. See web page www.generalcontractorsyracuse.com
3.41 State total value of work in progress and under contract. $9,000,000
3.5 On a separate sheet, list the major projects your organization has completed in the Past five years, giving the name of the project, owner, architect, contract amount, Date of completion and percentage of the cost of performed with your own forces.
3.5.1 State average annual amount of construction work performed during the past Five years. $6,500,000
3.6 On a separate sheet, list the construction experience and present commitments of the Key individuals of your organization.
REFERENCES
4.1 Trade References:
A) Bruce Electric, Owner: Dennis Van Slyke 315-432-1835
B) BR Johnson, Owner: AJ Rocker 315-565-3338
C) AHR Plumbing & HVAC, Owner: Rolf Freidman 315-374-5623
4.2 Bank References: Key Bank, Camillus, NY
4.3 Surety:
4.31 Name of Bonding Company:
Harleysville Insurance
355 Maple Ave
Harleysville, PA 19438
4.32 Name and address of agent:
C.H. Insurance
100 S. Salina St., Suite 370
Syracuse, NY 13202-2704
Attn: Tony D’Amato
SIGNATURE
6.1 Dated at Syracuse, county of Onondaga, New York May 23, 2024
| Name of the organizations: | Unique Development Companies Inc. Unique Design & Development Companies Inc. |
| By: | Joseph Piciucco, President |
Sampling of Projects Completed
Restaurant and Hospitality
Projects Under Construction
FunHub Sangertown Mall | Utica, NY
$800,000
98% Complete
Joey’s Restaurant | DeWitt, NY
$4,000,000
98% Complete
Alimentari | Fayetteville, NY
$1,300,000
75% Complete
References
Five Guys Burgers and Fries & Pudgie’s Pizza
Owner: William Cleary
Phone: 607-591-0780
Destiny USA Restaurants
Project Architect: Barry Hammel
Phone: 315-246-6815
Project Manager: Dominick LaFace
Phone: 315-506-8972
Kirby’s Restaurant
Owner: Dick Zeb
Phone: 315-725-4050
Cantina Laredo
Construction Manager: Rocky Vanover
Phone: 214-693-1112
Funny Bone Comedy Club & Restaurant
Todd Leinenbach
Phone: 816-516-9656
M.V. Weiss & Associates
Owner Phone: 315-447-0644
Company Overview
President Owner: Joseph Piciucco
Degree: Associates Degree in Architectural Technology
Vice President: Dan Piciucco
Undergrad Degree: B.S. Global Supply Chain Management, Clarkson University
Graduate Degree: Masters in Business Administration, Longwood University
UNIQUE DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT INC. (UDD) opened its doors on August 1987. UNIQUE DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES INC. (UDC) started operation on April 29, 2003 concentrating on General construction projects.
Prior to starting operations at UDD Inc., Joseph Piciucco worked at three major Architectural Firms King & King architects, Hueber Hares and Glavin, and Design Collective Architects. As a Project Architect at these firms he was involved in a wide range of projects highlighted by the 25 Million dollar Hill Medical Center Syracuse, N.Y. other projects completed were Veterans Medical Health facilities in Bath, N.Y, ground up fire station in Radisson complex in Baldwinsville, N.Y., Super regional mall Holyoke, Mass. and (15) Journey Ends in USA.
After 10 years working in Architectural firms, Joe noticed a void in relationships and communications between Architects and Contractors. He felt a need to develop a professional General Construction company that could communicate efficiently with Architects as well as owners. He thus opened a full service General construction firm that could develop specialties in Restaurant, Retail, Office and Medical construction.
Throughout the years UDC, Inc. and UDD, Inc. has built a reputation for delivering a quality product. Proof of our success is all the repeat customers we have accumulated thru-out the years. All of Unique’s relationships have been built on honesty and trust.
Unique’s core operations team consists of Luke Condon (Project Manager), Natalie Greathouse (Project Manager), Ericka Milburn (Accounting Coordinator), and Mike Metcalf (Superintendent). Each member of Unique’s core team brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to the construction process.
Dan Piciucco is Vice President and brings 13 years of experience. He focuses on defining operational processes that keep the team aligned on a common goal, and he is leading the transition of Unique Development into the second generation of ownership as Joe’s son.
Our construction team has been very successful in both coordinating and constructing a variety of different types of projects as per our previous listed projects. Built on our reputation 70% of our construction projects are negotiated with the owners who seek professional construction services. UNIQUE DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES INC. has been very successful by paying attention to client’s needs, proper planning with a quality team of construction professionals, ensuring quality construction with every detail completed to our clients satisfaction.
Key Team Members
Joseph Piciucco – President
Joseph Piciucco is President/Owner of Unique Development Companies and holds an Associates Degree in Architectural Technology. Prior to opening Unique Design & Development Inc. in 1987, he worked at King & King
Architects, Hueber Hares and Glavin, and Design Collective Architects. As a Project Architect, his experience included a wide range of work such as the $25 million Hill Medical Center in Syracuse, NY, veterans’ medical facilities in Bath, NY, and additional commercial projects. After 10 years in architectural firms, Joe identified a need for stronger communication and relationships between architects and contractors and established a full-service general construction company specializing in restaurant, retail, office, and medical projects.
Dan Piciucco – Vice President
Dan Piciucco brings 13 years of experience and focuses on operational leadership and process development to keep the team aligned and focused on long-term goals. As Joe’s son, Dan is actively involved in bringing Unique Development into the second generation of ownership by supporting consistency, scalability, and continuous improvement across the organization.
Ericka Milburn – Accounting Coordinator
Ericka Milburn brings 10 years of experience supporting construction operations, with prior experience across HVAC, framing, finishing, painting, and general contracting. She is highly personable and helps keep clients and subcontractors at ease while supporting smooth communication and coordination.
Natalie Greathouse – Project Manager
Natalie Greathouse has 5 years of experience spanning both project management and interior design. With prior experience owning her own interior design company, Natalie is especially valuable on design-build projects where she contributes to the design process and maintains a high level of attention to detail.
Luke Condon – Project Manager
Luke Condon brings 14 years of experience managing complex commercial construction projects with a specialization in mall and retail build-outs. His background includes Pyramid Management Group, where he served as Project Manager for Sangertown Square Mall (Utica, NY) and Crossgates Mall (Albany, NY).
Mike Metcalf – Superintendent
Mike Metcalf brings 30 years of construction experience and is responsible for day-to-day jobsite leadership. His background includes residential construction with his father and commercial experience as a Superintendent with Grainger Construction. Mike’s no-nonsense approach holds subcontractors accountable for safety, quality, and schedule performance.