Erwin Geis founded a small construction firm in 1967, and an innovative approach and strong work ethic soon propelled the Ohio-based company forward. Erwin’s sons Fred and Greg came on board along the way. Since then, Geis Companies has grown into a multi-million-dollar development and construction business with an extensive portfolio, a staff of over 150 people, and a Geis family member still at the helm.
The company maintains its corporate headquarters in Streetsboro, Ohio, as well as additional locations in Cleveland, Ohio, Bonita Springs, Florida, and Los Angeles, California.
“Our vision is to be the best total service company which provides the Full-Cycle Approach to assure our clients’ success in ‘building’ their future,” the company website, geiscompanies.com, explains. To accomplish this goal, the award-winning design-build company maintains five different divisions: Geis Development, Geis Construction, GLSD Architects, Geis Property Management, and GDOT Design.
Specialist divisions
Geis Development’s services can be customized for the individual client. The team always makes a special effort to listen closely to each client’s unique needs to help them achieve their end goal. Collaboration with both private and public stakeholders is emphasized, ensuring that the team makes the best use of any available resources.
The company has a wide variety of projects throughout the country at any given time, from multifamily buildings to industrial facilities. Specific areas of expertise include site planning, leases with an option to buy, financing options, mixed-use development, site acquisition, long-term rates, development services, multi-tenant, build to suit, feasibility testing, long-term sale-leaseback, project underwriting, creative debt structure, and the coordination of governmental incentives.
Indeed, Geis Construction will take on every step of the building process, starting with the initial concept all the way through to completion. From ground-up projects to renovations or expansions of an existing facility, the team can handle it all. With 50 years of design-build experience, the company has been responsible for an enormous range of projects, ranging in size from five acres all the way up to one thousand acres.
Geis Construction prides itself on delivering a streamlined process. During the planning and feasibility phase, the team carries out the site assessment, master planning, conceptual design and programming, accurate initial budget, and the agency reviews and approvals.
Next comes the design phase, which covers project development design, renderings, contract development, construction documents, and interior design.
During the construction phase, the team handles project scheduling, subcontractor selection, project management, documentation, and quality control.
GLSD Architects began as an in-house design staff within Geis Companies. Since then, GLSD Architects has grown into a full-service architectural firm. The team takes a practical approach to architecture and emphasizes deep collaboration with clients in order to create functional spaces that best represent them.
“We understand that our design can greatly increase a company’s overall productivity and success by creating an efficient layout, appropriate budget, and a sense of pride,” the company website details.
The result is the creation of “unique environments, beginning with space planning and spatial formation all the way through selection of engineering systems, finishes, and furnishings,” the company website says. To deliver these services, GLSD Architects employs architects, engineers, interior designers, and LEED-certified professionals. This division specializes in space planning, program development, design development, construction administration, interior design, and engineering services.
Geis Property Management is a leading provider of full-service residential, multi-family, and commercial property management throughout Northeastern Ohio. The company delivers management services via experienced property management professionals armed with proven systems and a full-service approach, so that every client’s property will perform to its highest potential.
Geis Property Management currently manages more than 7 million square feet of space ranging from office, industrial, and retail to residential and multi-family. This division handles site location services, asset management, residential leasing, property leasing, inspections and maintenance, tenant retention programs, facility management, and renovations.
Meanwhile, GDOT Design is a full-service architectural, engineering, and interiors company that began its life as an interior design firm. After growing and evolving, the company is now licensed to deliver complete architectural services.
GDOT Design’s comprehensive interior design packages are specially tailored to fit each client’s budget and unique needs. The team’s work begins with space planning and spatial formation and continues through to the selection of finishes, furnishings, and systems, and company-wide cooperation is emphasized throughout the process. “Because we are construction-based, we work differently than other firms; we routinely work hand in hand with the other Geis teams to deliver what was promised, on time, and in budget, balanced by our expertise in understanding a client’s space and functional needs,” the company website details.
Specific areas of expertise provided by GDOT Design include space planning, program development, design development, construction administration, construction documents, interior design, and engineering services.
Projects to watch
Geis Companies has several recently completed and current projects worth noting. These include The Centro, a luxury apartment community in Fort Myers, Florida, featuring 264 upscale apartments filled with amenities. Also located in Fort Myers, Florida, Legacy 500K is a new 500,000 square foot spec distribution center/warehouse complex.
In Ohio, Turnpike Commerce Center is a new, 470 acre fully designed master-planned park providing approximately 1,021,980 square feet for industrial use, while in Cleveland, The Abbey is a 142-unit residential development that includes a five-story apartment building with 132 units and 10 townhomes, located within the antiquated suburb of Duck Island. In Ravenna, Ohio, the LG Chemical development includes a 98,111 square foot customer solutions center and a 155,596 square foot ABS pellet manufacturing facility.
And The Calabash Shores, located in Calabash, North Carolina, is a luxury senior living development that includes a three-story apartment complex with elevator access and ranch-style garden homes.
With nearly 60 years of experience, strong growth, multiple specialized divisions, and a number of exciting projects on the go, Geis Companies has earned its leading place in the market. This business will surely be one to watch as it continues to expand and make its mark within the industry.
