About Us

From our humble beginnings during The Great Depression, Red Seal Homes has believed in the power of family. Joe Horwitz, our founder, understood that he was making a profound difference in people’s lives and the neighborhoods they would proudly call home. His passion for quality, honesty and excellence is still the foundation of every house we build.

Today, our extended family has grown to include our loyal and dedicated employees, contractors, suppliers and every customer who calls Red Seal “home.” Beyond the quality of our buildings, we make sure we create a sense of community that includes open spaces, lush landscaping and inviting gathering places where people are drawn together to become neighbors and friends.

It takes hard work and extra attention to every possible detail, but the end result is always worth it. Together, we build a Red Seal Homes community out of bricks, mortar, lumber and a whole lot of love.

Red Seal Development Corp. (also known as Red Seal Homes), a third-generation builder of outstanding homes and neighborhoods was founded in 1934, by Joe Horwitz.

In the housing boom following World War II, Red Seal began to create large new residential communities in Glenview and Arlington Heights, Illinois.  Under Mr. Horwitz’s leadership, the company followed with communities in Deerfield and Northbrook.  Mr. Horwitz served as President of the company until 1977.

David A. Hoffman, the 2nd generation of Red Seal’s leadership and its Chairman Emeritus, joined Red Seal in 1969 and purchased the company in 1977.  Under Mr. Hoffman’s leadership, Red Seal’s activities expanded throughout Northbrook, Highland Park, and into Wisconsin and Florida as well as the City of Chicago encompassing a variety of custom and production residential communities as well as sizable commercial and hotel construction ventures.  Lists of these projects can be found by clicking here.

In 1991 Brian Hoffman joined the firm  and  the 3rd generation of the company began its work at Red Seal.  In 1995 the 3rd generation of leadership was solidified with the arrival of Todd Fishbein.  Hoffman and Fishbein’s unique but complimentary skills along with the efforts of long time construction chief Michael Larsen,  have propelled the company to its role today as the pre-eminent privately held residential developer in the Chicago area.

The company’s leaders are supported by a veteran staff wholly dedicated to excellence and to providing the highest quality of service to Red Seal’s customers.

Since 1934, Red Seal has established itself as one of Chicago’s most acclaimed builders, winning prestigious awards on an annual basis. Red Seal was honored as the 2000 Illinois Family Business of the Year by Loyola University Chicago Business Center. The company has been honored with numerous Crystal Key awards from the Home Builder Association of Greater Chicago in recognition of excellence in housing design including in 2008 for Housing Design at our Deer Park Estates community. Red Seal has been featured in all local publications and in such national publications as Architectural Digest, Professional Builder, Wall Street Journal, Builder Magazine, and The Urban Land Institute’s Publications.

We sincerely appreciate your interest. If you have any questions or comments please contact us or call us at the Corporate Office at 847-272-5600.

2015
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Gold Key Award — Willow Lake
•

2008
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Crystal Key Award — Deer Park
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Bronze Key Award — Sheridan Pointe
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Bronze Key Award — Sheridan Pointe

2005
2005 Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics
Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois

2004 

Red Seal’s Shermer Place awarded Home Builders Assoc. of Greater Chicago’s
“2004 Crystal Key Award” for innovation and design of a multi-family community.

2003 

Red Seal listed in Professional Builder Magazine’s
“Annual Report of Housing Giants”
•
Red Seal ranked in The Chicago Sun-Times’
“Chicago’s Top 50 Builders in 2002”

2002 

Red Seal named in Crain’s Chicago Business’
“Chicago’s Top Privately Held Corporations”
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Bronze Key Award — Excellence in Multi-Family Design
Sanders Prairie- Plan 4
•
Red Seal listed in Professional Builder Magazine’s
“Annual Report of Housing Giants”
•
Red Seal ranked in The Chicago Sun-Times’
“Chicago’s Top 50 Builders in 2001”

2001 

Red Seal named in Crain’s Chicago Business’
“Chicago’s Top Privately Held Corporations”
•
Red Seal ranked in The Chicago Sun-Times’
“Chicago’s Top 50 Builders in 2000”
•
Red Seal Homes listed in Builder Magazine’s
“Builder 100” America’s Largest Builders
•
Red Seal listed in Professional Builder Magazine’s
“Annual Report of Housing Giants”

2000

Red Seal Homes, recipient of the
Loyola University Chicago Business Center
“Illinois Family Business of the Year” award
•
Red Seal ranked in The Chicago Sun-Times’
“Chicago’s Top 50 Builders in 1999”
•
Red Seal named in Crain’s Chicago Business’
“Chicago’s Top Privately Held Corporations”
•
Red Seal listed in Professional Builder Magazine’s
“Annual Report of Housing Giants”
•
Red Seal ranked #59 in the nation in Builder Magazine’s
“Fast Track” for Financial Growth
•
The Town of Fort Sheridan ranked by the Chicago Sun-Times
“Suburban Community of the Year”
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Silver Key Award — Excellence in Multi-Family Design
The Town of Fort Sheridan — Whistler Road Townhomes Plan I
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Bronze Key Award — Best Overall Community The Town of Fort Sheridan
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Gold Key Award — Outstanding Architectural Design
The Town of Fort Sheridan — The Gateway Model
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Gold Key Award — Excellence in Interior Design
The Town of Fort Sheridan — The Gateway Model”

1999
Red Seal ranked in The Chicago Sun-Times’
“Chicago’s Top 50 Builders of 1998”
•
Red Seal named in Crain’s Chicago Business’
“Chicago’s Top Privately Held Corporations”
•
Red Seal listed in Professional Builder Magazine’s
“Annual Report of Housing Giants”
•
Red Seal ranked #34 in the nation in Builder Magazine’s
“Fast Track”for Financial Growth
•
The Town of Fort Sheridan ranked #1 in Chicago Magazine’s
“Hottest Towns and Neighborhoods”
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Silver Key Award – Landscape Architecture
The Town of Fort Sheridan
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Silver Key Award – Landscape Architecture
The Town of Fort Sheridan – The Burr Oak
•
Builder Magazine – Builder’s Choice Awards
Grand Award – Best Site Plan
The Town of Fort Sheridan
•
1999 SAMMY Awards – Sales and Marketing Council of Greater Chicago
Community of the Year – Suburban Builder
The Town of Fort Sheridan

1998
Red Seal ranked in The Chicago Sun-Times’
“Chicago’s Top 50 Builders of 1997”
•
Red Seal named in Crain’s Chicago Business’
“Chicago’s Top Privately Held Corporations”
•
Red Seal listed in Professional Builder Magazine’s
“Annual Report of Housing Giants”
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Silver Key Award – Outstanding Design in Land Planning
The Town of Fort Sheridan
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Silver Key Award – Outstanding Design
Stonegate, Northbrook – The Warwick
•
Illinois Park and Recreation Association and Illinois Association of Park Districts
with the Northbrook Park District
Community Service Award
•
1998 SAMMY Awards – Sales and Marketing Council of Greater Chicago
Sales Office over 1,000 square feet – $30,001 and up
Town of Fort Sheridan
•
Illinois Chapter American Planning Association
1998 Chapter Award presented to Town of Fort Sheridan
1998 Fort Sheridan Master Plan for Redevelopment

1997
Red Seal listed in Professional Builder Magazine’s
“Annual Report of Housing Giants”
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Gold Key Award – Semi-Custom Home Design
Residence on Croftridge Lane, Croftridge East, Highland Park
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Silver Key Award – Best Land Plan
Croftridge East, Highland Park
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Silver Key Award – Best Landscape Architecture
Croftridge East, Highland Park
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Gold Key Award – Semi-Custom Home Design
The Barron Residence, Estates of Charlemagne, Northbrook

1996
Red Seal listed in Professional Builder Magazine’s
” Annual Report of Housing Giants”
•
Lake County Tour of Homes
Sedgewood Cove on Crooked Lake
Best Exterior Architecture – “The Saugatuck”
•
Lake County Tour of Homes
Sedgewood Cove on Crooked Lake
Best Overall Landscaping – “The Saugatuck”
•
Lake County Tour of Homes
Sedgewood Cove on Crooked Lake
Best Kitchen Design – “The Saugatuck”
•
SAMMY Awards – Sales and Marketing Council of Greater Chicago
Highest Award for Advertising
Best Color Full Page Ad – “Highland Greens”
•
SAMMY Awards – Sales and Marketing Council of Greater Chicago
Highest Award for Advertising
Best Color Ad, Less than Full Page – “Bannockburn Court Estates”
•
SAMMY Awards – Sales and Marketing Council of Greater Chicago
Highest Award for Advertising
Best Black & White Full Page Ad – “Croftridge East”
•
SAMMY Awards – Sales and Marketing Council of Greater Chicago
Highest Award for Advertising
Best Black & White Ad, Less than Full Page – “Sedgewood Cove”
•
Metropolitan Builders Association of Greater Milwaukee
Highest Award for Marketing
Best Brochure Design – “Whitstone Village”
•
Metropolitan Builders Association of Greater Milwaukee
Highest Award for Advertising
Best Black & White Ad, Less than Full Page – “Whitstone Village”
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicagoland
Gold Key Award – Outstanding Design
Sedgewood Cove on Crooked Lake – “The Ludington”
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicagoland
Bronze Key Award Outstanding Design
Sedgewood Cove on Crooked Lake – “The Grand Haven”
1995 Lake County Tour of Homes
Sedgewood Cove on Crooked Lake
•
Best Overall Landscaping – “Saugatuck Model”
Red Seal listed in Professional Builder Magazine’s
Annual Report on Housing Giants

1994

Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Gold Key Award – Landscape Architecture
Sedgewood Cove
•
Lake County Tour of Homes
Winchester Estates Buffalo Grove
Best Interior Merchandising – “Ashton Model”
•
Lake County Tour of Homes
Winchester Estates Buffalo Grove
Best Kitchen – “Ashton Model”
•
Lake County Tour of Homes
Winchester Estates Buffalo Grove
Best Master Suite – “Ashton Model”
•
Lake County Tour of Homes
Winchester Estates Buffalo Grove
Best Interior Architecture – “Ashton Model”
•
Lake County Tour of Homes
Sedgewood Cove
Best Overall Landscaping – “Delavan Model”
•
Lake County Tour of Homes
Sedgewood Cove
Best Interior Merchandising – “Delavan Model”
•
Lake County Tour of Homes
Sedgewood Cove
Best Interior Architecture – “Delavan Model”
•
Lake County Tour of Homes
Villas of Manchester Greens
Best Interior Merchandising – “Brookridge Model”
•
Red Seal listed in Professional Builder Magazine’s
Annual Report on Housing Giants
•
Sales and Marketing Council of Greater Chicago
Highest Award for Advertising
Color Ad, Under Full Page for Multi-Communities

1993

Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Gold Key Award – Interior Design – 1,801 to 2,400 sq. ft.
Winchester Estates, Buffalo Grove
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Gold Key Award – Interior Design – 2,401 to 3,000 sq. ft.
Winchester Estates, Buffalo Grove
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Silver Key Award – Multi-Family
Units Attached for Sale – over 2,401 sq. ft.
Winchester Estates, Buffalo Grove
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Bronze Key Award – Architectural Design
Multi-Family – 1,801 to 2,400 sq. ft.
Winchester Estates, Buffalo Grove
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Bronze Key Award – Architectural Design
Multi-Family – 2,401, to 3,000 sq. ft.
Winchester Estates, Buffalo Grove
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Bronze Key Award – Multi-Family
Units Attached for Sale – 1,801 to 2,000 sq. ft.
Winchester Estates, Buffalo Grove
•
Red Seal listed in Professional Builder Magazine’s
Annual Report on Housing Giants
•
Lake County Tour of Homes
Winchester Estates Buffalo Grove
•
Best Interior Merchandising – “Ashton Model”
Lake County Tour of Homes
•
Winchester Estates Buffalo Grove
Best Master Bedroom Suite – “Ashton Model”
•
Home Owners Warranty
Decade of Excellence Award

1992

Red Seal listed in Crain’s Chicago Business Magazine’s
Annual Report on Construction Companies
•
Red Seal listed in Professional Builder Magazine’s
Annual Report on Housing Giants
•
Sales & Marketing Council of Greater Chicago
Highest Award for Merchandising – Total Model Presentation
Single-Family over $400,000.00, Unoccupied
Hybernia, Highland Park
•
Sales & Marketing Council of Greater Chicago
Highest Award for Merchandising – Brochure, 3-Color
Hybernia, Highland Park
•
Sales & Marketing Council of Greater Chicago
Highest Award for Merchandising – Signage Entry Presentation
Hybernia, Highland Park
•
Sales & Marketing Council of Greater Chicago
Highest Award for Merchandising – Advertising, Black & White Under Full Page
for Single Community or Master Planned Development
Hybernia, Highland Park
•
Associated Landscape Contractors of America
Environmental Improvement Merit Award
Hybernia, Highland Park
•
Illinois Landscape Contractors Association
Gold Award Landscape Construction
Hybernia, Highland Park

1991

Chicago Sun-Times
Best Land Plan
Hybernia, Highland Park
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Gold Key Award – First Place, Land Planning
Hybernia, Highland Park
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Bronze Key Award – Third Place, Architecture
Hybernia, Highland Park
•
Professional Builder Magazine
Feature Performance Award
Hybernia, Highland Park
•
Red Seal listed in Crain’s Chicago Business Magazine’s
Annual Report on Construction Companies
•
Red Seal listed in Professional Builder Magazine’s
Annual Report on Housing Giants

1990 

Red Seal listed in Crain’s Chicago Business Magazine’s
Annual Report on Construction Companies
•
Lake County Tour of Homes
Best Master Bedroom Suite including Bath
•
Red Seal listed in Professional Builder Magazine’s
Annual Report on Housing Giants

1989

Red Seal listed in Crain’s Chicago Business Magazine’s
Annual Report on Construction Companies
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Gold Key Award – First Place, Interior Design, Plan 100
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Gold Key Award – First Place, Interior Design, Multi-Family for Rent
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Silver Key Award – Second Place, Multi-Family
Unit for Rent,Plan Two Plus
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Bronze Key Award – Third Place, Multi-Family Unit for Rent, Plan Two
•
Red Seal listed in Professional Builder Magazine’s
Annual Report on Housing Giants
•
Apartment and Condominium Association, Mallard Ridge Apartments
Highest Award for Model with Leased Furniture, 701 to 1000 Sq. Ft.
•
Apartment and Condominium Association, Mallard Ridge Apartments
Highest Award for Model with Leased Furniture, Over 1000 Sq. Ft.

1988 

Red Seal listed in Professional Builder Magazine’s
Annual Report on Housing Giants

1987 

Chicago Sun-Times
Best Semi-Custom Home
Winchester Estates, Libertyville, Illinois
•
Red Seal listed in Professional Builder Magazine’s
Annual Report on Housing Giants
•
Sales and Marketing Council of Greater Chicago
Highest Award for Merchandising, Total Model Presentation
•
Sales and Marketing Council of Greater Chicago
Highest Award for Merchandising, Presale Centers
Larger than Single Wide Trailers

1986 

Red Seal listed in Professional Builder Magazine’s
Annual Report on Housing Giants

1985

Red Seal listed in Professional Builder Magazine’s
Annual Report on Housing Giants
•
Sales and Marketing Council of Greater Chicago
Highest Award for Merchandising, 3-Color Brochure
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicagoland
Silver Key Award – Second Place for Excellence in
Housing Design
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicagoland
Bronze Key Award – Third Place for Excellence in
Housing Design
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicagoland
Bronze Key Award – Third Place for Excellence in
Interior Design

1984

Home Builders Association of Greater Chicagoland
Sales and Marketing Council
Highest Award for Merchandising
•
Red Seal listed in Professional Builder Magazine’s
Annual Report on Housing Giants

1983 

Chicago Sun Times
Best of the On-Site Awards
Best Luxury Single-Family House

1981

Home Builders Association of Greater Chicagoland
Excellence in Housing Design – Churchill Model
Certificate of Merit Award
•
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicagoland
First Place – Gold Key Award
Construction and Implementation of a Marketing Center

1980 

Home Builders Association of Greater Chicagoland
Sales and Marketing Council
Highest Award for Merchandising

1979 

Home Builders Association of Greater Chicagoland
First Place – Gold Key Award

1975-76 

Red Seal listed in Professional Builder Magazine’s
Annual Report on Housing Giants

1974 

Home Builders Association of Chicagoland
Competition judged by Chicago Chapter A.I.A. and
Chicago Association of Commerce and Industry
First Place – Design

1973 

Home Builders Association of Chicagoland
Judged by Chicago Chapter A.I.A., Illinois Federation of Women’s
Clubs and the Chicago Home Builders Association of Chicago
Second Place – Design