About

Northwest Indiana’s premier real estate developer specializing in multi-family and commercial properties.

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The Weiss Story

At the heart of the Weiss story is reinvention. It’s about legacy. A small, home-grown grocery store that evolves into a privately-held company that’s deeply invested in the success of Northwest Indiana’s real estate market. Our decisions in business have always been informed by our priorities: to create, acquire, renovate, and manage quality community developments using thoughtful and creative approaches. It’s all about serving people, because they’re the bottom line.

Today, we operate a diversified portfolio. Each multi-family development from Indiana to Chicago is constructed using the highest standards, features a variety of floorplans and luxurious amenities, and, above all, is managed with the same “customer first” principle we established more than 80 years ago. Our portfolio will continue to grow, offering more people more choices, comforts, and conveniences, because commitment and hard work are a part of who we are.

A Brief Overview

When it comes to Northwest Indiana, we’re pioneers. Our focus and knowledge of this market has been crafted over the course of many years and has served us as we continue to build into the Chicagoland area. Below are a few key dates from our journey that have made us who we are today as a company.

1937

Hungarian immigrant Marvin
“Mickey” Weiss arrived in America

Marvin Weiss and employees in 1950

1950’s

Opened Gary and Merrillville’s first locally owned, independent grocery stores, comparable in size to the chain stores of their day

1970’s

Opened Griffith grocery store and related shopping center; developed owned-apartments Meadowlane in Merrillville

Ribbon cutting in the 1990's at new real estate property

1990’s

Purchased Costas stores in Valpo and Chesterton; expanded grocery business and entered residential real estate development market

2010

Creekside at Meadowbrook, 192 apartment development, is purchased

2014

The Reserve at Prairie Point begins development

Uncommon Apartments opened in 2019

2019

Uncommon Apartments opened

1942

Wiseway Grocery Store
is founded by Marvin Weiss

Marvin Weiss cutting an opening ribbon at a new grocery store in the 1960's

1960’s

Opened grocery stores in Hobart, Crown Point, Chicago, and Dolton, and related shopping centers

1980’s

Doubled the size of Wiseway stores’ footprint

Prairie Point Apartments opening day in 2000

2000’s

Purchased and developed a 100-acre farm for mixed-use development; developed Chesterton store and related shopping center; Prairie Point Apartments opened

2012

Purchased 150 acres in Valparaiso
for mixed-use development

Don Weiss on the cover of Valparaiso magazine in 2016

2016

Lakes of Valparaiso opened

2021

Sold Creekside at Meadowbrook; planning begins for The Monarch, a luxury flats and townhomes development in Merrillville

1937

Hungarian immigrant Marvin
“Mickey” Weiss arrived in America

1942

Wiseway Grocery Store
is founded by Marvin Weiss

Marvin Weiss and employees in 1950

1950’s

Opened Gary and Merrillville’s first locally owned, independent grocery stores, comparable in size to the chain stores of their day

Marvin Weiss cutting an opening ribbon at a new grocery store in the 1960's

1960’s

Opened grocery stores in Hobart, Crown Point, Chicago, and Dolton, and related shopping centers

1970’s

Opened Griffith grocery store and related shopping center; developed owned-apartments Meadowlane in Merrillville

1980’s

Doubled the size of Wiseway stores’ footprint

Ribbon cutting in the 1990's at new real estate property

1990’s

Purchased Costas stores in Valpo and Chesterton; expanded grocery business and entered residential real estate development market

Prairie Point Apartments opening day in 2000

2000’s

Purchased and developed a 100-acre farm for mixed-use development; developed Chesterton store and related shopping center; Prairie Point Apartments opened

2010

Creekside at Meadowbrook, 192 apartment development, is purchased

2012

Purchased 150 acres in Valparaiso
for mixed-use development

2014

The Reserve at Prairie Point begins development

Don Weiss on the cover of Valparaiso magazine in 2016

2016

Lakes of Valparaiso opened

Uncommon Apartments opened in 2019

2019

Uncommon Apartments opened

2021

Sold Creekside at Meadowbrook; planning begins for The Monarch, a luxury flats and townhomes development in Merrillville

Services

We took our vast retail experience and shifted our focus into suburban real estate development. When it comes to our properties, we manage and maintain the majority equity in them. Our multi-family residential projects across Northwest Indiana and the Chicagoland region treat residents to distinctly elevated services, luxe comfort, versatile floor plans, and outstanding amenities. Our dedicated care to our retail properties comes from years of experience. These shopping developments are located near neighborhoods and are accessible to local grocers, pharmacies, big-box stores, and small businesses.

A clean hallway with modern art on the wall
The Lakes of Valparaiso apartment homes sign

Approach

We firmly believe that when you love the work you commit yourself to, it’s never a chore. For us, we earnestly enjoy giving back to our community, and we want to continue to do so throughout the years for both our employees and residents.

Our Team

Highly experienced and dedicated, our team instills each community development project with a forward-thinking spirit and years of expertise in the Northwest Indiana market.

Don Weiss, President

Don Weiss

President

Don has over 30 years of experience in the real estate development business. His father founded WiseWay supermarkets and, in 1982, Don took the reins and propelled it into one of the largest independent supermarkets in Northwest Indiana. He also created the Wiseguys liquor stores. Today, Don is generating similar success with a diversified focus on retail space and multi-family developments.

Today, Don is generating similar success with a diversified focus on retail space and multifamily. Currently, Weiss Entities has built and is managing multiple shopping centers, and a growing number of apartment developments, including one in downtown Chicago. With a vision to meet the needs of communities, Don has a strategic plan for expanding the Weiss portfolio far into the future.

Don is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Washington University in St. Louis with a M.B.A. in Real Estate Finance from Columbia University. He serves on boards and provides leadership support for many for-profit and non-profit organizations in Indiana and Chicago including KIPP Charter Schools and One Region NWI.

Bob Sotak, Senior VP, CFO

Bob Sotak

Senior VP, CFO

A perfect fit for the Weiss Entities growth strategy, Bob has over 25 years of experience in the acquisition, development, project management, disposition and financing of retail and multifamily assets.

Bob’s employment history and experience are 100% grounded in real estate. He is the former Senior Vice President at The John Buck Company, a Chicago-based developer, and prior to that worked within Ernst & Young’s financial services and real estate practice groups. Bob is a high honors graduate of DePaul University and a certified public accountant.

Angela Fielder, Vice President of Real Estate Operations

Angela Fielder

VP, Real Estate Operations

Angela’s distinct leadership qualities in multifamily development and management have led to great success during her career. Over the years, she has excelled in a variety of management positions and was Vice President of Operations with another leading development firm before Weiss Entities recruited her talents in 2012.

At Weiss Entities, Angela’s duties include management training guidelines, brand and marketing development, company policies and procedures, budget forecasts, and due diligence on new acquisitions. She also plays an integral role in the daily operations and disposition and acquisition of assets.

Angela studied Law at Lamson College in Mesa, Arizona, is a member of the National Apartment Association, Indiana, and has earned her Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) designation.

Bob Billick, VP Design and Construction

Bob Billick

VP of Design and Construction

Vice President of Design and Construction, Bob brings a wealth of experience to the Weiss Team with his expertise in managing the construction of over 3 million square feet of development projects of all types. His major projects include a 36-story mixed-use development in Chicago (505 North State), a 35-story apartment in Philadelphia (2116 Chestnut St.), and the world’s first Virgin Hotel in downtown Chicago. Most recently, Bob completed the construction management for (407) apartments for Weiss Entities in Valparaiso, IN.

At Weiss, Bob focuses on designing our projects from inception to construction, coordinating communications between construction contractors, owners, public offices, architects, engineers, and other trade-specific consultants. His responsibilities also include drafting and sequencing project schedules and budgets with investors.

Bob attended Purdue University Calumet and Indiana University Northwest and is actively involved in various philanthropic efforts around the Midwest including a CCA Academy Renovation, Beard School Park Renovation, Off The Street Club Renovation, and others. When not at work, Bob enjoys spending time with his grandson.

Nick Linardos, Controller

Nick Linardos

Controller

Nick joined Weiss Entities in October of 2017. He is responsible for Accounting and Financial Reporting, Payroll and Payroll Taxes, and Risk Management and Benefits Administration. He is a Certified Public Accountant with over 25 years of experience in Finance and Accounting. His previous background includes eight years overseeing Financial Reporting and Financial Planning & Analysis for OfficeMax, Inc., a publicly-traded retailer. Prior to OfficeMax, Nick worked for USF Corporation, a multi-billion-dollar company specializing in Less than Truckload Transportation. Nick also has experience in the e-commerce, insurance, and telecommunications industries. He earned a master’s degree in Accountancy from DePaul University and an undergraduate degree in Economics from DePauw University.

Rick Green, GM Wise Guys Discount Liquors

Rick Green

GM, Wise Guys Discount Liquor

Rick Green’s career with Weiss Entities began in 1976 when he took a position as a grocery bagger at WiseWay. As he continued on with the company, this set him on a trajectory to becoming the General Manager of Wise Guys Discount Liquors, overseeing daily operations across its three locations. Rick’s commitment to ongoing education is seen in his certification as a wine specialist, and it’s this precise spirit of growth that encapsulates the standards and values of Weiss Entities. He and his wife have three daughters and six grandchildren, and they reside in Hobart, Indiana.

Crafting Lifestyle Communities.