About Us

About SouthGate

SouthGate Companies develops and manages both residential and commercial real estate properties. Our
main offerings include:

  • Over 500 residential condos, apartments, townhomes, and duplexes for rent in Iowa City and
    surrounding areas.
  • Land for sale for individual homes, multi-family land, subdivisions, office parks and industrial
    use.
  • A personalized, full-service home building division, Navigate Homes.
  • Retail and office centers in Iowa City and Coralville.

SouthGate Companies is locally owned and operated. Our employees live and work in the communities we
serve. SouthGate is committed to maintaining a healthy, vibrant environment for our tenants,
offering crime-free leases and improving properties to increase community pride.

Company History

SouthGate Companies traces its humble beginnings to Polish immigrant David Braverman, who started a business selling melons out of the back of a horse-drawn wagon. That business grew into a grocery store and ultimately Hawkeye Foods.

As Braverman’s business grew, he began to invest in real estate in Iowa City. In 1962 SouthGate was officially born. Since then, it has been owned and led by the Braverman family and continues to be a family-run business to this day.

SouthGate Companies has developed more than 600,000 square feet of commercial real estate including build-to-suit properties, turnkey sales, and multi-tenant facilities. Currently, SouthGate manages about 300,000 square feet of office, retail, and industrial space.

SouthGate’s residential construction accomplishments include the development of more than a dozen residential subdivisions and 1,000 apartments, condominiums, townhomes, duplexes, and single-family residences. Currently, SouthGate manages over 500 residential units including condos, apartments, and townhomes in the Iowa City and Coralville, Iowa area.

In 2017, SouthGate rebranded its home building company, Navigate Homes, which builds approximately 30 new homes per year in the Iowa City area.

In 2019, SouthGate Companies was acquired by Hillcrest Holdings. Hillcrest Holdings is a Midwest-based, family-owned holding company, that invests in privately held middle market businesses in the United States. Its businesses operate in the transportation, insurance, real estate and IT services industries. Hillcrest’s mission is to support the continued growth and success of its existing portfolio businesses while diversifying into new industries through long-term equity investments in growing businesses that share its values of stewardship, hard work, empowering employees and giving back to the community.

Meet The Team

Brenda Carver

Accountant

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Caleb Wilson

President – SouthGate Investment Properties

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Chris Villhauer

Commercial Property Manager

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Duncan Villhauer

Residential Property Manager

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Matt McAlexander

Accounting Manager

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Matthew Schuch

Residential Property Manager

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Meagan Conley

Front Desk Associate

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Susan Weaver

Office Facilitator

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Tad Debler

Maintenance Technician

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Trevor Davison

Maintenance Manager

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