About Us
Shay Construction was founded in 1998. The company was born out of a realization that, in the world of custom, residential construction, client and designer objectives are often compromised by contractors with limited interest in overall quality and design, and profit maximization as a primary goal. Building on a long family history in design and construction in the Philadelphia area, Shay Construction is committed to a wholistic approach to project management and construction. It’s an approach founded on an appreciation for great design and a commitment to unparalleled quality, craftsmanship, communication and professionalism.
History
In August 2002, Dixon Shay joined Shay Construction to assist in the growth and administrative development of the company. Prior to joining Shay Construction, Dixon practiced corporate law in the District of Columbia office of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P. Recognizing that proper accounting, contracting and communication are an integral part of every project, Dixon’s addition to the company ensured its project administration and accounting practices were equal to the quality and professionalism of its craftsmanship.
Gillian Shay, Dixon’s wife, has served as Shay Construction’s project administrator and bookkeeper since 2003. Gillian’s professional background, organizational skills and attention to detail are integral to both Shay Construction’s success and the success of our projects.
In January 2014, Dixon took over sole ownership of Shay Construction and its operations. Under Dixon’s leadership, Shay Construction has grown its presence and reputation in the Philadelphia area by focusing on optimizing design, achieving maximum value for clients and delivering superior project management services.
philadelphia Area Legacy
The Shay family has a strong Philadelphia legacy. Dixon’s great grandfather, Howell Lewis Shay, practiced architecture in the Philadelphia area in the early to mid-1900s with the firms Trumbauer and Associates, Ritter and Shay and Howell Lewis Shay & Associates. Among Howell Lewis Shay’s contributions to local design and architecture are several Philadelphia landmarks including the U.S. Customs House, the Packard Building, the Drake Hotel and the plan for the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
William Dixon Shay, Dixon’s grandfather and namesake, also practiced architecture in the Philadelphia area with the firm founded by his father, Howell Lewis Shay & Associates. He specialized in campus planning and his architectural achievements include the fraternity quadrangle and several other academic buildings at Dickinson College and the library at the University of Delaware. The Independence Garden at the Freedoms Foundation in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania was dedicated as a memorial to William Dixon Shay following his death in 1962.
