Philadelphia Area Legacy

The Shay family is not new to design and construction . Lowell’s grandfather, 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, Lowell’s father and 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.

Nantucket Connections

The Shay family owned and renovated several residential properties on Nantucket in the 1970s and 80s. Lowell learned the intricacies of island construction while assisting in the completion of these renovations. He also developed lasting relationships with island contractors and craftspeople. Although the Shays continued to visit the island regularly during subsequent years, it wasn’t until 2004 that Lowell and Dixon decided to pursue additional opportunities on the island. Fortunately, the relationships that Lowell forged years ago, and the connections made by Lowell and Dixon during regular visits to the island, made for a natural transition to island project management and contracting. As a result, Shay Construction has been involved with and completed several successful and significant projects on Nantucket over the last three years.

Shay Construction was founded with this family history in mind. The desire to honor, preserve and build on the Shay family legacy in the Philadelphia area, and nurture the family’s connection to Nantucket, drives Lowell, Dixon and the entire Shay Construction team to exceed client expectations and deliver unparalleled quality, craftsmanship and value.

Philosophy

Shay Construction is committed to exceeding client expectations through delivering unparalleled management, craftsmanship and value on all projects. This commitment is based on the desire to exceed the high expectations of our discerning clients and to preserve and build on our strong family legacy in design and construction.

The Drake Hotel, Philadelphia, PA