Dale Thorn of SOUTHLAKE DEVELOPMENT, has worked in the building industry all of his adult life. In 1990, Dale and his financial partners started Southlake Development, Inc. 17 Years later, Southlake Development has built over 450 new homes, throughout Northwest Indiana, with 290 of those homes located in Hobart, Indiana.

Southlake Development closes 20-30 homes per year, which is where Dale intends to stay, so that he can remain a hands on builder working individually with clients and sub-contractors. Dale has a unique approach to building homes.  He visits all job-sites on a daily basis.  He stays on top of all of the aspects of  home building.  Dale has put together the best team of sub-contractors that Northwest Indiana has to offer. Most of Southlake Developments sub-contractors have been working with Dale since he started the company over 17 years ago.  Dale's job-sites have a “family-like” feel, with most of the sub-contractors knowing each other by name. Dale is truly only a phone call away.  He is always available for clients, employees, realtors and sub-contractors.

Southlake Development strives to make the building process as easy and convenient as possible.  One way they do this is by having an in-office display room, containing a variety of samples and color choices to choose from.  Homeowners do not have to travel from place to place making decisions for their new home.  They simply select roofing, siding, windows, doors, cabinets, countertops, marble tops, ceramic, vinyl flooring, carpet, ceramic and other items for their new home with Dale or Dawn. Another way Dale makes the building experience an enjoyable one is by giving a key to the soon-to-be  homeowners.  This enables them to visit their new home to take pictures and see the quality construction every step of the way.

Currently, Southlake Development is a three person operation.  Dale is the builder as well as a realtor, he co-owns Southlake Real Estate, Inc.   Dale works on every aspect of home building including purchasing lots, designing blueprints,  ordering building material,  scheduling sub-contractors, as well as  working with clients, mortgage companies, title companies, appraisers, and building officials.  Dawn, Dale's youngest daughter started working for Southlake Development, while she was still in college.  She helped host  Open Houses on her summer vacations.  In 1993, Dale asked Dawn to join the family business as a full-time employee and she has continued to work side by side with Dale ever since.  In 2006 Dale hired Dawn's husband Jeff to help run the job-sites.  Together the three are making a great team.