Our Story

For Three Generations the Korndoerfer Name has been Synonymous with Quality and Value.

From the first Korndoerfer home to the many homes that followed, we have maintained our uncompromising attention to quality and value, while focusing on distinctive design, livable floor plans, energy efficient features, durability – and of course, family.

Beginnings

FIRST GENERATION

A mason by trade, Carl Korndoerfer immigrated from Germany to Racine, Wisconsin looking for a better life for his family. In 1926, he built his first home in the 500 block of Augusta Street in Racine. With it and the many fine homes that followed, he quickly earned a reputation for quality construction, meticulous brick work and Old World craftsmanship.

Heritage

SECOND GENERATION

In time, Carl’s son, C.W. (Wolf) Korndoerfer took the helm, and in 1954 founded Korndoerfer Corporation which expanded throughout Racine and the Midwest. From major churches to important commercial developments, his company tackled large and diverse projects – industrial complexes, high schools, hospitals, shopping centers and more. Each of these projects exhibits the same concern for quality found in every Korndoerfer home today.

Legacy

THIRD GENERATION

As young children interested in their father’s business, Carl, Wolf and John Korndoerfer accompanied their father to construction sites and marveled at the trucks and cranes. In college, they spent summers working on job sites.

In 1990, Wolf opened Korndoerfer Development Group. In 1991 Carl joined the company. Focusing on development and custom homes, Wolf and Carl brought forward-thinking design elements to their hometown and infused the market with fresh ideas. In 1996 John joined the company and the three Korndoerfer brothers carried on the family reputation for quality, value, and architectural character in the town where they were born and raised.

Korndoerfer Homes has been participating in the Metropolitan Builder’s Association Parade of Homes since 2007. In 2015, Korndoerfer Homes opened a second location in Brookfield in addition to the Sturtevant office and was ranked in the top five Southeastern Wisconsin home builders by the Milwaukee Business Journal. In 2016, Korndoerfer Homes opened a 3,500 square foot state-of-the-art design studio which is one of the largest in the state.

Employee Owned

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

In 2021, after 30 years in business, Korndoerfer Homes announced its conversion to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) which means Korndoerfer Homes is now 100% employee owned.

Over the few years leading up to 2021, Wolf, Carl and John Korndoerfer began to consider the next stage of Korndoerfer Homes. Would they sell the company they spent 30 years building? Would they accept any of the offers they received from investors and other home builders? In the end, they decided the best course of action was to put the company in the hands of the people who had helped make it a success — the employees.

Beginning with their father and grandfather before them, the Korndoerfer Family has been a leader in the building industry for three generations. They are proud that the ESOP will allow their family legacy to continue into the future.

"Overall we are extremely happy with our new home and impressed how it stayed pretty much on schedule despite the global supply chain issues. Everyone we worked with was very responsive and professional and willing to do the little extras to make sure we were delighted with the final product. I cannot reiterate how good our sales consultant, interior designers, and construction supervisor were. It was an enjoyable process and went smoother than we could have ever thought. With that said we are definitely happy to finally be done and to begin enjoying our new home!"