About Us
Drake Construction Services, Inc. is dedicated in providing the wisdom and skill required to construct the best buildings for our customers. The company’s dedication is reflected in the Owners’ 45 years of construction and development experience. Bob Drake & Holland Drake, Owners, continue their family legacy of building in Central Florida since 1871.
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James E. Drake – In 1871 as President of the Gulf Railroad Company, built the 1st railroad line going south of Jacksonville to Eustis, FL. The “James E. Drake locomotive” was similar to that pictured. |
George MacKay (Bob & Holland’s Great Grandfather) – Was an early 1900’s Architect/Builder. Some of his buildings are pictured below:
 MARION COUNTY COURT HOUSE (ORIGINAL) |
 MARION HOTEL (in background) |
 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH |
 OCALA HIGH (now 8th Street School) |
Trusten P. Drake, Jr. – In 1949 was appointed to the State Road Board and instrumental in bringing Ocala’s first four-lane highway, Pine Street.
George MacKay Drake and Trusten P. Drake, III - Owners of Drake Construction Co. and Drake Contracting, Inc. between 1961 – 1984. They built many significant buildings, some of their buildings are pictured below:
 GPA @ UF |
 MUSIC BLDG. @ UF |
 OCALA CITY HALL |
 JOURNALISM BLDG. @ UF |
Drake Construction Services, Inc.’s construction operation is managed by Holland Drake. Prior to starting Drake Construction Services in 2009, Holland led construction for 17 years as the Qualifying Contractor for Bruno-Ehlers Enterprises and as Project Manager with Brian Ehlers Construction and Edwards Construction on a vast spectrum of building projects. Some of these projects are pictured below:
GATEWAY BANK
BELLEVIEW HIGH SCHOOL (Masonry & Concrete)
GATEWAY BANK
 LIBRARY @ CENTRAL FL. COMMUNITY COLLEGE |
 LANGE EYE CARE |
 OCALA FAMILY MEDICAL CENTER |
 CROWN OFFICE PRODUCTS |
 MARION CITRUS MENTAL HEALTH CENTER |
 TIMBERRIDGE PROFESSIONAL CENTER |
What clients say about Holland’s work:
Holland strives to make sure every Owner detail is constructed at the highest quality in the fastest manner and lowest cost. Excerpts from some testimonials addressed to Holland recognizing these building fundamentals include:
“Holland, Thanks for all of your help and hard work in building our family dream home. You did an outstanding job. We appreciate you honesty, integrity, and excellent attention to detail.
It did not go un-noticed that you take lot of pride in your work and are willing to go the extra mile to get the job done right. It did not go un-noticed that you continually worked very hard to make sure that we were getting the best value for our money. Our financial interest and our budget were very important to you, but you made sure that a quality home was also a important factor as well.
It was a pleasure to work with you. Thanks for building our home.”
Sincerely,
Steven and Tricia Redrick
"……At the first meeting with Holland I knew that he was a different builder……. And Holland Drake has been true to his word.
Holland put together a fantastic team of people in an architect, a designer and multiple suppliers and made sure we were all on the same page. As the leader of this team he was conscious that I wanted to be part of every step and to be involved in making this home unique to our family. He listened to me, something that I value in a builder above all else. Not only that, but it became very obvious to me of his talent and expertise when I saw him researching on every detail of the home. He made sure we got the best quality at the best rate that I was within budget or under. No detail was sacrificed and I attribute that to Holland taking such pride in his work.
And the end result? It has exceeded Ron and my own expectations. It is our dream home, everything that we wanted and more. ……………………………..
We have had the privilege of building 9 homes in our journey of life and I would have to say that this was the best building experience we have ever had. We would recommend Holland Drake to anyone looking to build. He gives you 110% and his heart is evident in his work. Thank you so much Holland for sharing your passion with us and for helping us create our dream home."
With Grateful Hearts,
Denise and Ron Zook
As Project Manager with Brian Ehlers Construction, Holland led the design-build team to build a new Ocala landmark, Gateway Bank. Carrying out every Owner detail is at the core of Holland’s building techniques. This attention to details was recognized by Tom Ingram, CEO of Gateway Bank, in the Jan. 2009 Ocala Style article featuring Gateway Bank. Tom’s remarks included:
“… design-build also allows for immediate attention when problems arise. When I was dissatisfied with the final exterior painting, I went directly to Holland to discuss alternatives.
“Some project managers would have been insulted, but Holland asked, ‘How can we make it better? What can we do to get it right?’” Tom recalls. “We had artist Dale Henry come in, and he made it a masterpiece.”
Tom Ingram, C.E.O., GatewayBank of Central Florida
More testimonials:
“I want to thank you for all of your fine work and diligent efforts. Your timetables are impeccable and always met with unwavering quality. We appreciate you.”
Chris Boyd, Boyd Development Company
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“...for your participation in developing the new Ocala Family Medical Center.
Sharon Glassman especially wanted to thank you for your individual attention and professionalism in completing her building on time and within the agreed upon budget”.
Henry A. Ehlers, Bruno-Ehlers Enterprises, Inc.
“It was a pleasure to work with Holland and his staff, who were very conscientious of their work. It was great having the schedule from the beginning of the project, with each phase and its projected completion date. What of course was greater was the entire project was completed before the scheduled date of completion.”
Phillip Annunzio, Regional VP, Primerica
“It is especially pleasing and appropriate that I write this letter of appreciation to your company and those who enabled us to accomplish our company objectives.” “... your performance is to be commended. It was incredible to watch the progress daily. It was hard to believe that the quality and quantity of work was being completed from the use of generators. I have to be honest with you, I kept asking doubting questions and you kept a positive attitude and stayed focused on our objectives.”
Dewey D. Kemp, President, Crown Office Products
“You have truly provided our patients with a spectacular building. It is always an absolute honor and pleasure working with you.”
Rita Clymer, Administrator, Davita
Drake Construction Services, Inc. provides the knowledge and experience needed to assure that each client receives the best building in accordance with their priorities. We assure innovation is brought to the forefront with each new project to assure that excellence in building construction is a continued family tradition.
| Gaston Drake in 1904 founded Princeton, FL and provided lumber for Henry Flager's overseas railroad...(CLICK HERE) |
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5 families that helped make Ocala great: Meet the Drakes ...(CLICK HERE) |