Great Lakes Builders

Great Lakes Builders...is a family owned and operated company founded by Ben Lewandowski. Ben was a licensed Professional Engineer and established Great Lakes Builders in 1949 as a Contractor to provide construction services throughout the Chicagoland area. Under Ben's management, Great Lakes Builders built industrial, commercial and residential properties and also specialized in the renovation of existing buildings. In 1989, Ben's son Martin took over the responsibilities of President of the company. This transition from father to son did not happen over night. Martin worked under the direction of Ben from an early age learning the various building trades leading to positions in Project and Construction Management. After working for Great Lakes Builders for 22 years, Martin became President of Great Lakes Builders. Martin is still taking the lead in Construction Management for the company and passes on his skills and experience in building by acting as mentor and trainer to Great Lakes Builders' valued employees. A company operating successfully for 60 years certainly speaks volumes for its ability to serve its clients well over time. What may be just as telling is the fact that the Lewandowski family's building legacy dates back well before 1949. The Lewandowski family, including Ben's father William and uncle Walter brought their building skills, honed in Europe, to the United States in the early 1900's and began building homes, schools, churches and factories in Chicago neighborhoods such as Ukrainian Village, Wicker Park and Park Ridge. Many of the buildings they built then are in use and admired today, including some beautiful churches and schools such as Saint Paul of the Cross and Roosevelt grade school in Park Ridge, IL.