Chris Bjorklund describes himself as a husband, a father, an entrepreneur, and an artist. For over a decade, he chased his dreams as a studio and touring musician. Twenty years later, he’s building some of Milford’s most distinctive homes.
Born of humble beginnings in Bridgeport in the 70s, Chris’s childhood came with challenges that would indelibly shape his outlook. Money was tight, stability was scarce, and the notion of a successful future was fleeting. “I’m as grateful for all the things I didn’t have as for the things I did,” he says, “but for all the things my mom got wrong she got one thing right. She loved me.”
At age eight, Bjorklund gained his father, Ed, who adopted him and eventually moved the family from Bridgeport to Monroe, then Newtown, then to Milford. Ed was a successful business owner, builder, and developer, and although Chris didn’t realize it at the time, he was quietly absorbing lessons that would later define his career.
But music found him first. At ten years old, he found a guitar teacher in the phone book and arranged lessons before his parents had agreed. As a teenager he played in clubs he was too young to enter, and by his twenties he was touring nationally, performing original music, working with respected producers, and pursuing what seemed destined to become a full-time career.
For years, it was. But life on the road demanded more than talent. “You cross a line,” Bjorklund says, “where the passion that got you there gets replaced by the lifestyle.” After a decade of touring, he stepped away, and began rebuilding his life as a sober man and a passionate custom home builder.
That decision came twenty years ago, and Chris has never looked back. When he reflects on his music career, his unbroken commitment to sobriety, and his flourishing business, he sees the same determination in every chapter of his life. “The same way I went after music,” he says, “I went after building.”
In this latter chapter, Bjorklund immersed himself in every aspect of construction – from real estate development to project management and custom craftsmanship. The creativity that once fueled songwriting found a new outlet in designing and building homes. “I’m still an artist,” he says assuredly. “Instead of writing songs, I create homes that people get to live in every day.”
Today, Bjorklund builds on his own terms: he works for himself and for homeowners who hold the highest standards. Bjorklund renovates three to four properties a year, with his own vision, transforming them through extensive renovation or new construction before bringing them back to market. They’re not cosmetic flips, he emphasizes, but carefully engineered homes designed for longevity, quality, and timeless design. His philosophy is simple: find the least desirable house and make it the one everyone notices. “The neighbors usually aren’t thrilled when we start,” he says with a smile. “By the time we’re finished, they’re elated we were there.”
Ask Bjorklund to describe his design style and he answers without hesitation: relaxed, coastal, and timeless. Think Nantucket and the Hamptons, interpreted through the character of Milford. His homes blend clean lines, natural materials, and thoughtful details while respecting the architecture and history of the neighborhoods around them.
“Milford has a unique style,” he explains. “There’s a coastal element, classic New England colonials and beach cottages. The goal is to marry those ideas together in a way that is as beautiful as it is functional.”
That ability to balance seemingly opposite ideas is a useful metaphor for Bjorklund’s life: he grew up in a difficult environment, toured the country as a musician, and ultimately found his calling in construction. A cursory glance at Bjorklund’s path reveals it to be rare, unpredictable, wild, nonlinear. But his throughline – of creativity, of discipline, of passion – maps a clearer narrative. Today, he uses these qualities and skills to advance each of his projects, believing exceptional homes require equal parts vision, organization, and execution.
His personal life reflects that same intentional approach. Years after their first meeting, he reconnected with his now-wife, Felisha, in the crowd of a live concert with his late brother, Richard, shortly before Richard lost his battle with a brain tumor. They married later in life, something Bjorklund says allowed him to build a strong foundation before starting a family. Today they are raising two young children, Joey and Olivia, in Milford – the community they proudly call home.
Bjorklund asserts that his family has reshaped his perspective as much as any career milestone. The instability he experienced growing up, the lessons learned through music, and the discipline required to rebuild his life all influence the way he approaches not just his work, but his role as a parent and partner. “I get to be there for things,” he says. “I get to be there for breakfast with my daughter in the morning – I’m grateful for that.”
When asked about his unique approach to home building, Bjorklund’s musical past creeps back in as he muses that a construction project is much like leading a band: every trade has a specialized role, but success depends on communication, preparation, and everyone working toward the same goal. “If you’re not organized, if you’re not committed to quality, and if you don’t consistently deliver,” he says, “people don’t come back.”
The finished project itself, too, is much like a timeless tune that brings everyone to the dance floor: Bjorklund strives to create homes that become part of a neighborhood and stand the test of time. Whether he’s restoring an older property or building from the ground up, he approaches each project with the same philosophy that guided his years as a musician: great work comes from discipline, creativity, and an uncompromising attention to detail.
Today, Milford is where those experiences come together. It’s where he has chosen to raise his family, invest in his community, and build homes that reflect both the character of the town and the people who live there.
“I’ve put my roots down here,” he says. “Everything we’ve built has been one project, one relationship, and one reputation at a time.”
For more information about Chris's work, visit bjorklundbuilthomes.com.
"I’m still an artist...I create homes that people get to live in every day.”
"If you're not the best player, and you're not the most organized, and you don't do the best projects, [customers] don't come back."