Weitz Named Best General Contractor in Des Moines for 19th Straight Year

October 11, 2016  /  Press Releases,

Best of Des Moines and The Weitz Company are remaining synonymous for the 19th straight year.

The Business Record recently announced its 2016 Best of Des Moines winners, and Weitz was again recognized as the top general contractor in this market. It’s an honor the 161-year-old company takes great pride in receiving considering the readers of the weekly publication vote via an online poll for the businesses, people and events they believe are elite and first-rate.

“Earning this award is a great testament to our employees and the way they conduct themselves both professionally and personally,” said Weitz President and CEO Leonard W. Martling. “They consistently strive to be the very best in our industry, and they execute their jobs at a very high level to support Weitz, our customers and the communities in which we work and volunteer.”

Some of the biggest construction projects in central Iowa are routinely entrusted with The Weitz Company. In the past six years, Weitz has been the general contractor for major builds such as the Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield headquarters, Athene USA (formerly Aviva USA) headquarters, Jack Trice Stadium south end zone for Iowa State University and Veterans Memorial Auditorium renovations.

Weitz is currently working on a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) building for Drake University and has been performing the renovations of the historic Wilkins Building (part of the old Younkers store) in downtown Des Moines. But the most anticipated job under construction is the Hilton Des Moines Downtown hotel, which also made the Business Record’s Best of Des Moines list as a runner-up in the category of Best Thing That Will Happen to Central Iowa in the Coming Year.

Due to open in April 2018, the 330-room hotel will be attached to the Iowa Events Center and is expected to help elevate the types of concerts, events and conferences that will both appeal to residents in the Greater Des Moines Metropolitan Area and support economic development.

“The Weitz Company played an instrumental role in the development of the new Hilton Convention Center Hotel,” said Greg Edwards, President & CEO of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau and Des Moines Area Sports Commission. “Their vision and creative expertise will ensure a first-class product for our region that will rival our competition, attracting more conventions and events to the metro.”