About
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Kaiker Development + Construction Principal and Founder Kai Lewars enjoyed seeing the positive impact that resulted from development and construction projects and their influence on transforming communities, businesses, and residents’ lives for the better. It was only a matter of time until he would realize the role he would play in the industry as he focused his education on the many niches of the construction process, leading to the realization of his lifelong dream of a career in construction and the founding of Kaiker Development + Construction in 2015.
Bio
Coming from a strong background in commercial development and construction management, Kai Lewars has led Kaiker Development + Construction with a growing focus on Community Development, a core initiative shaping the firm’s future and expanding suite of services.
Kai’s vision centers on supporting communities throughout the Cincinnati region, where the Kaiker team lives, works, and plays. His leadership emphasizes proactive solutions for the region’s diverse needs, from high-volume housing initiatives to small and large-scale commercial projects.
Guided by a solutions-based approach, Kai leads both the firm and its projects with an emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and early engagement. Kaiker differentiates itself from the outset by offering a full spectrum of development and construction management services, often becoming involved well before construction begins which has ensured strategic alignment and long-term value for every project.
Kai enjoys travelling, playing, and watching a variety of sports, attending music concerts, and spending time with his children, family, dogs, and friends. He especially likes being outside during the spring, summer, and fall months at festivals and exploring nature.
Representative Project Experience:
CMHA City West Redevelopment – A/E Construction Estimating Services on 62 units in partnership with Envisage Architecture - Cincinnati, OH
Value engineering, budgeting, scheduling.
CMHA Developer’s Pool – Development and A/E Construction Estimating Services multiple projects - Cincinnati, OH
Value engineering, budgeting, scheduling.
SORTA METRO A+ E Door Capital Upgrades Project– A/E Construction Estimating Services in partnership with Envisage Architecture - Cincinnati, OH
Value engineering, budgeting, scheduling, and construction admin services.
Harrison Ave TH – Development services of 10 New Construction Townhomes- Cincinnati, OH
Washington Ave TH – Development services of 8 New Construction Townhomes- Cincinnati, OH
Hale Ave TH Phase 1 and 2– Development services of 14 New Construction Townhomes - Cincinnati, OH
Bogart/ Glenwood TH– Development Services of Phase 1 +2 totaling 12 New Construction Townhomes - Cincinnati, OH
Hawksnest TH– Development services of 8 New Construction Townhomes - Loveland, OH
West End Apartments – HTC Development and Stabilization services of 4 HTC apartment buildings - Cincinnati, OH
State Ave Lofts – HTC Development, Stabilization, Construction Management services of HTC and Affordable Housing Development comprised of 2 Buildings totaling 12 units totaling 8,250 SF. - Cincinnati, OH
Hale Ave TH Phase 1 - New Build Construction - Cincinnati, OH
New build construction of 7 townhomes totaling 12,000 SF
The Port Authority – Commercial Buildout - Cincinnati, OH
Class A Office Renovation at Atrium II Building in partnership with Hunt Builders building out client’s new headquarters totaling 14,500 SF
Zolas Restaurant - Commercial Buildout - Cincinnati, OH
New Bar + Restaurant w/ stage and outdoor dining 4,000 SF
Home Improvement Programs – Program Management/ CM Services - Cincinnati, OH
Evanston, Avondale, West End, Lincoln Heights Managed a portfolio of 200+ residential home improvements for community development partners.
Community Matters Headquarter – Office Renovation - Cincinnati, OH
Office Renovation converting open room into new ind. office space totaling 1,000 SF
Midland Building – Office Renovation - Cincinnati, OH
Office Renovation of all new finishes totaling 5,000 SF
Business District Improvement Programs – Commercial Renovations - Cincinnati, OH
Evanston, Avondale, College Hill, West End, Price Hill, and more.
Marquet Outdoor Dining Space
College Hill Yoga
Marty’s
Streetscape Improvement
West Lot
Dixon Building Renovation
Hamilton Ave Apartment Renovation
Moon Beauty
Ourshop
Total Indulgence
Hollywood Apartments
Sedamsville Multi- Family Stabilizations- Cincinnati, OH
Scatter site development phase 1 stabilizations of multi- family apartment buildings
Allez Bakery Madisonville – Commercial Stabilization - Cincinnati, OH
Stabilization of a blighted 2 story building including demo of rear CMU block building totaling 7,500 SF
Central District Elm St. Compound Stabilization – Commercial Stabilization - Cincinnati, OH
Stabilization of a compound of 4 building structures ranging from 2-4 stories tall totaling 22,000 SF
Opportunity Matters – Multi- Family Stabilization - Cincinnati, OH
Stabilization of a blighted 4 story multi- family building including masonry roof deck extension totaling 7,500 SF
Beekman Stabilization – Multi- Family Stabilization - Cincinnati, OH
Stabilization of a blighted 4 story multi – family building totaling 5,500 SF
Mohawk Apartments – Multi - Family Renovation - Cincinnati, OH
HTC Renovation of 2 buildings w/ addition into 7 apartment units totaling 6,000 SF
Elm St. Apartments – Multi - Family Renovation - Cincinnati, OH
HTC Renovation of 2 buildings into 12 apartment units totaling 16,000 SF
12th St. Apartments – Multi - Family Renovation - Cincinnati, OH
HTC Renovation of 2 buildings into 10 apartment units totaling 7,200 SF
5th St. Apartments – Multi - Family Renovation - Cincinnati, OH
HTC Renovation of 26 apartment units totaling 26,000 SF
Pleasant St. Apartments – Multi - Family Renovation - Cincinnati, OH
HTC Renovation with an addition into 8 apartment units totaling 4,000 SF
Neave Street Flats – Multi - Family Renovation - Cincinnati, OH
Renovation of 4 apartment units totaling 3,500 SF
Rack Ct. Apartments – Multi - Family Renovation - Cincinnati, OH
Renovation of 4 apartment units totaling 3,000 SF
Meant 2 Be Fit – Commercial Buildout - Cincinnati, OH
Office Tenant Build Out totaling 2,000 SF
A Precious Home - Commercial Buildout - Cincinnati, OH
Group Home Tenant Build Out totaling 1,000 SF
Ugo Gelato- Commercial Buildout - Cincinnati, OH
Gelato Shop Tenant Build Out totaling 1,000 SF
Elm Street Whitebox - HTC Commercial Whitebox - Cincinnati, OH
White box Build Out totaling 1,000 SF
Belcan Engineering Headquarters- Commercial Buildout- Cincinnati, Ohio
Design-builder to their new Blue Ash regional headquarters staffing 700+ employees creating unique areas that advances the culture and philosophy of Belcan engaging newer talent totaling 34,000 SF
Freeman Trauma Center Stabilization - Phase 1 Stabilization - Cincinnati, OH
Stabilization project featuring roof repairs, structural framing, and masonry repairs
Erie Development- Mixed- Use Development - Cincinnati, OH
Fee development of new mixed- use 4 story building totaling 22,000 SF
Prus Construction – Commercial Renovation and Office Expansion – Cincinnati, OH
Renovation and expansion of existing 5,400 SF office to 17,200 SF. Will include a high-bay training center and employee fitness center.
Schaefer Office Headquarters – Commercial Buildout – Cincinnati, OH
Design-Builder of 16,000 SF office featuring an open office concept with a focus on collaborative spaces, restoring some of the unique elements of the existing building.
Fayette Regional Hospital – Detox Center – Connersville, IN
Construction of a 22,000 SF 4.0 Detoxification Unit including 46-beds located within Fayette Regional Hospital.
Fayette Memorial Hospital – Sleep Lab – Connersville, IN
Design and construction of new 2,000 SF sleep lab including 4 monitored sleep rooms with private baths.
Thrive – Commercial Renovation and Office Expansion – Cincinnati, OH
5,000 SF Building renovation and expansion.
Blue Manatee – Building Construction and Renovation – Cincinnati, OH
5,600 SF mixed use building including first floor retail and second floor office space.
Reztark – Commercial Buildout – Cincinnati, OH
New office renovation of 9,696 SF featuring open office layout and collaboration spaces, preserving unique elements of the existing building.
Hilltop Condominiums – Building Envelope Construction Defect Repairs – Portland, OR
16 buildings with a total of 108 units of targeted scope of repairs on the exterior building envelope. This included, but was not limited to siding, decks membranes, deck railings, windows, and utility penetrations.
Portland Public Schools– Facilities and Asset Management – Portland, OR
Owner’s Representative on numerous projects including but not limited to the School District’s Parking Lot Paving & Striping Budget, School Playgrounds, Athletic Facilities, Science Labs, Floor replacements, Asbestos/ Lead Abatement, Artistic Projects, etc.
Gores Construction– Multi-Family and Commercial Properties- Portland, OR
Conducted 100’s of exterior building envelope destructive testing inspections for construction defect litigation cases related to exterior building envelope defects. Led an exterior building envelope maintenance program for multi- family and commercial properties.
Representative Project Experience:
City of Cincinnati SBE + MBE
Ohio MBE + EDGE
·Board Member- Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber
Board Member- Community Matters Cincinnati
Board Chair- Kaiker Kidz Foundation
Urban Land Institute member
Volunteer Mentor ULI REAL Program 3+years
HBA member
Allied Construction Industries
OSHA 30 Hour Certification
Lead Certification
First Aid/ AED/ CPR/ Bloodborne Pathogens Certification
James Hardie Installation Trained
Westcoat Specialty Coating Systems Trained
Education & Designations:
B.S. Business Administration, Oregon State University
Construction Engineering Management, Oregon State University