S.G. Loewendick & Sons
 | |
| Industry | Demolition |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1929 |
| Founder | Sylvester G. Loewendick |
| Headquarters | 2877 Jackson Pike, Grove City, Ohio |
Key people | David Loewendick |
| Website | loewendick |
S.G. Loewendick & Sons, commonly referred to as Loewendick Demolition Contractors, is a prominent demolition firm based in Grove City, Ohio, servicing the Central Ohio region. The company has been responsible for dismantling significant Columbus landmarks such as Union Station, the Ohio Penitentiary, the Christopher Inn, the Deshler Hotel, and the Drake Performance and Event Center at Ohio State University.
Established in 1929 by Sylvester G. Loewendick, the enterprise experienced substantial growth following World War II, leveraging urban renewal initiatives and highway construction projects. By 1988, it reported annual revenues of $5 million and employed around 100 workers, including several family members. The organization also includes subsidiaries like Frank Road Recycling Solutions and Central Ohio Contractors.
History
The company was founded by Sylvester G. "Tedo" Loewendick after he transitioned from general construction to demolition work in 1929. Initially situated near Newark, Ohio, the business concentrated solely on demolition from the 1950s onward under Tedo’s guidance, expanding its service area to within approximately 500 miles of Columbus.
Throughout the 1960s, Loewendick played an essential role in urban redevelopment by demolishing numerous homes to make way for highway interchanges and facilities such as Nationwide Children's Hospital and Market-Mohawk. Following Tedo’s passing in 1974, leadership was assumed by his son Ralph; today, ownership resides with grandson David Loewendick. The company’s approach combines demolition with recycling and waste management services, enhancing its market position regionally.
Demolition projects
Loewendick has been responsible for dismantling several notable Columbus structures including Union Station, the Ohio Penitentiary, the Christopher Inn, and the Deshler Hotel. Additional projects include demolishing the downtown Columbus City Center mall, Veterans Memorial in Franklinton (later replaced by the National Veterans Memorial and Museum), a former site of Columbus Africentric High School, and a Holiday Inn located in Worthington. Other undertakings involved the Beasley-Deshler Hotel, Chittenden Hotel, Halle's department store, and the Hartman Theater. The firm was also designated to remove the Beggs Building, now incorporated into the Fifth Third Center. In 1961, they cleared both the Virginia Hotel and Columbus Citizen buildings to prepare for what became the Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel.
The company has experience managing complex demolitions under hazardous conditions, including active fires. For instance, after a fire at Dunhill Clothiers in 1974, Loewendick cleared debris while flames were still present. In 1977, icy weather complicated demolition during another fire incident; in 1988, founder Dave Loewendick aided a firefighter amid collapsing wreckage. Their work on Columbus City Center earned them a "Highly Commended Award" at the 2010 World Demolition Awards.
Initially involved in both construction and demolition services, Loewendick now prioritizes sustainability by recovering architectural features and recycling materials whenever possible. In 2016, it upgraded its equipment to include concrete crushing and recycling capabilities. During the final phase of Veterans Memorial demolition, they achieved complete recycling of materials. Typically, their projects recover between 50% and 60% recyclable content—significantly exceeding Columbus’s minimum requirement of 25%—with the City Center project reaching a recycling rate as high as 90%.
Reputation
As Central Ohio's foremost demolition firm, S.G. Loewendick & Sons has gained recognition for dismantling numerous iconic structures throughout Columbus. The company actively participates in community outreach by providing facility tours tailored to students, emphasizing recycling practices, and granting access to landfills for firefighter training purposes.
Dave Loewendick, the owner, fully embraces the firm's demolition legacy, often imagining fresh developments arising where older buildings once stood. In 1988, he lamented missing the chance to tear down the Ohio Theatre and expressed interest in demolishing both Central High School and the adjacent Memorial Hall. His custom license plates reading "Raze 1" and "Raze 2" symbolize his professional identity.
The company’s projects have frequently met opposition from historic preservation advocates. For instance, the demolition of Columbus State Hospital encountered significant local pushback. In 1976, S.G. Loewendick participated in the contentious teardown of Union Station after Battelle Commons Corporation abandoned preservation plans; ultimately, only a single arch was saved due to a court mandate. Similarly, in 1980, despite community redevelopment initiatives and a unanimous city council vote against it, the firm proceeded with demolishing the Monypeny Hammond building.