About
Northwest Indiana’s premier real estate developer specializing in multi-family and commercial properties.
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
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
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
2019
Uncommon Apartments opened
1942
Wiseway Grocery Store
is founded by Marvin Weiss
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
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
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
1950’s
Opened Gary and Merrillville’s first locally owned, independent grocery stores, comparable in size to the chain stores of their day
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
1990’s
Purchased Costas stores in Valpo and Chesterton; expanded grocery business and entered residential real estate development market
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
2016
Lakes of Valparaiso opened
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.
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 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.
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
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.
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.
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 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.