Discover how David Lewis Builder has earned a reputation for building unique homes that evoke timeless architectural aesthetic and elegant simplicity
I started in the construction industry pretty much as a child, at the age of around 15,” begins David Lewis, Owner, who was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas. “After many years of pushing wood into a molding mill for my dad, I decided I’d rather be out in the field, bringing construction projects to life.”
His former career as a carpenter taught him the importance of hands-on workmanship and gave him a strong work ethic. During his tenure as a foreman with a volume builder, David managed an aggressive construction schedule, a demanding workload and a tight budget. His passion for residential construction was bolstered by experience on high-rise structures as a commercial project manager. Today his leadership and expertise are the culmination of a lifelong career in construction that spans nearly 40 years.
“I have worked around a lot of people who didn’t share my commitment to quality execution or attention to architectural detail,” David reveals, thinking back over his years in the industry. “I started David Lewis Builder to deliver bespoke homes for clients who wanted more than just a place to live. We construct dwellings that inspire families to gather, connect and make memories.
“This process, of course, comes with many challenges, and I went through the trial and errors of learning how to be a businessman, which proved much harder than the building process itself. After 40 years of consistent progress, we’ve assembled a team of the right people and luckily, the Lord was good to me, and I was blessed with people who could help me along the journey in establishing a successful company. It’s a difficult business that we try to make look easy, but I enjoy the challenge,” he shares.
Exceptional people
Indeed, David has built a broad residential portfolio ranging from the period-style restoration of historic estates, to sprawling ranch projects and sleek contemporary dwellings.
Driven by a desire to create an architectural masterpiece perfectly suited to each client’s vision as well as the surrounding landscape, David brings his uncompromising artistic eye to optimize the site location, integrate landscape design details and anchor the structure in its natural environment.
He understands that you can’t construct a quality product without truly exceptional people, and he has hand-selected his team to reflect that doctrine. Many of his craftsmen and subcontractors have worked with him for over 20 years. By retaining a talented workforce, he can ensure consistency on every project.
“I think we’re in the top three-to-five builders in this area,” David shares. “We’re fortunate to have deep roots in this community with long-term clients who trust and recommend us. I feel honored to be able to pick and choose projects that excite us.”
With a commitment to meeting clients’ needs and delivering uncompromising quality in construction and design, David Lewis Builder’s design process includes collaborative work with industry experts. “Recently,” David continues, “I was lucky to work with a couple from Dallas who hired the architectural firm, D Stanley Dixon out of Atlanta, Georgia. It’s been a fabulous project to work on and Stanley and his team are very talented. I’ve learnt a lot from Stanley’s perspective in terms of scale and proportion.”
Architectural vernacular
This project is a perfect example of David Lewis Builder’s ability to adapt to new design styles. “This is a different genre for me because it’s rooted in an architectural style you would find in Atlanta and across the Southeastern US. The architect refers to it as neoclassical elegance. It demonstrates our ability to execute a different architectural vernacular than we commonly see in North Texas. I want each project to feel tailored to the client, ensuring that the design and layout inspires them and fulfils their needs.”
Preserving history
David continues with details on another prestigious project, the Lambshead Ranch in Texas. “That property is steeped in history with a rich family heritage,” he explains. “We really invested in the preservation of the history of the property and kept it true to the original form. The ranch dates back to the 1850s and some of the structures we renovated were from the 1890s, so we had to keep the history and legacy of the property in place, while at the same time modernizing it so that it can survive another 150 years.
“We worked on the main house, and created motel pods and additional cottages, installed solar power systems and rainwater harvesting systems to create a sustainable off-grid property. We had to ensure we used the right materials that would minimize maintenance caused by abrasive winds and high UV exposure.
“The sprawling 60,000 acre ranch was located a few hours West of the Metroplex. It took another 30 minutes to reach the job site, once we arrived at the ranch gates, which complicated material deliveries and logistics. That said, one of my greatest enjoyments is getting to work on uncommon projects.
“Working at David Lewis Builder is like being part of a family,” he continues. “While we all know we have a job to do every day, the most important thing is that each of us supports the other and we’re genuine teammates. The team members strive to be good mentors to each other, helping with any difficulties, whether personal or professional.
“I’m 68, so I’m at the stage where I’ll continue to stay at the forefront, selling projects, meeting with architects, and supporting my team. My philosophy is to do it right no matter what it takes. We always try to grow and adapt to challenging circumstances and find opportunities to learn from adversity. Our purpose is people, and our process puts each client’s vision and satisfaction at the center of the project. When you trust David Lewis Builder to take your dream home from conception to construction, you receive our fullest commitment to a process marked by integrity, communication and quality.”
Every project, from a new build to a luxury renovation, begins with a personal consultation with David. During the consultation process, David brings his expertise into partnership with the client’s vision, sharing decades of experience to uncover the possibilities, analyzing the scope and key elements required, as well as communicating and refining a plan to make the vision a reality. David Lewis Builder advocates for clients and protects the integrity of construction by inviting a selected group of craftsmen and subcontractors to competitively bid for each project. Its outstanding partners in luxury residential construction, including award-winning design specialists and premier distributors, share a passion for crafting masterpieces and enable David Lewis Builder to ensure consistency and client satisfaction.
The project management team at David Lewis Builder provides consistent, experienced oversight throughout the project as well as transparent communication with the client to provide an outstanding experience from start to finish.
Collaborative efforts
Upon construction completion, the company stays connected with clients through its Estate Maintenance Division. The team automates and schedules semi-annual inspections and service appointments to ensure the peak performance of systems and proactively address common maintenance needs. A customized maintenance plan helps preserve their client’s properties and frees up the client’s time to spend with family.
Looking to the future, David goes on to share what the company has in store: “We have some exciting new projects in the pipeline. I’m working on a ranch in Pilot Point, building a 56-stall barn for Arabian horses, alongside the manager’s house as well as the owner’s quarters. We’ll be constructing roadways, adding lakes and bridges, and we will be building on-site veterinarian facilities with an equine reproduction lab. The property will be a champion horse breeding facility spanning 180 acres, which is very exciting.
“So, as you can tell, 2025 is set to be a busy time. I believe Texas is well-positioned for population growth and continued prosperity, so it’s a very good time to be doing what we do. In five years, I plan on taking a bit more of a back seat and allowing some of the team around here to run things. I’ll be 73, still here God willing, and I enjoy working, so I don’t think there’s a rule that says when you must stop. The team here is great,” David concludes, “they enjoy what they do, and I try to help them pursue their passions and talents, whether that’s managing projects or designing or building. It’s a collaborative effort from all of us here at David Lewis Builder, now and for the future.”