The Alimond Show
Welcome to The Alimond Show --join us as we share our entrepreneurial guests' stories, uncover their secrets to success, and explore the unique paths they've taken to build thriving businesses in our community.
In each episode, our host, Aliyah Dastour, sits down with a diverse group of local business owners, from the corner cafe to the boutique shop, from tech startups to family-run enterprises. We peel back the curtain to reveal the trials, triumphs, and transformational moments that have shaped their entrepreneurial journey.
Discover the passion, perseverance, and innovative thinking that fuels these businesses, as well as the challenges they've overcome along the way. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking inspiration or simply a curious listener interested in the stories behind your favorite local spots, The Alimond Show has something for everyone.
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Join us every week as we celebrate the unsung heroes of our local business community and explore the vibrant tapestry of entrepreneurship in our area. Tune in to The Alimond Show and get ready to be inspired, informed, and motivated to support and nurture the businesses that make our community thrive.
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The Alimond Show
Dylan McGreevy & Kevin Ash - Transforming Leesburg: From Boutique Hotels to Urban Development
Have you ever wondered how two professionals from different backgrounds can come together to transform a community? Join us as we sit down with Dylan McGreevy of Clay Construction and Kevin Ash of Madison Dale Development, both proud Leesburg, Virginia natives. Dylan's journey from house framing to leading vast commercial projects intersects intriguingly with Kevin's evolution from architecture student to urban infill specialist. Together, they share their ambitious plans for a 39-room boutique hotel, complete with a restaurant, speakeasy, and social club, right in the heart of Leesburg. Listen as Kevin also teases an exciting new bed and breakfast project, promising to elevate the local hospitality scene even further.
In this episode, we delve into the vibrant world of construction and development, highlighting the critical role of relationships and diverse project experiences. As we explore their unique "Ralph Lauren meets Loudoun County" aesthetic for the boutique hotel, complete with federal and Italianate architecture, a historic house-turned-lobby bar, and a large rooftop space, you'll get a glimpse into their creative vision. We also touch on the balance between work and personal life, emphasizing the importance of family and travel for inspiration. Finally, we discuss the evolving landscape of Leesburg and the need for thoughtful development, stressing the importance of building enduring, meaningful structures for the growing community. Don't miss this insightful conversation about revitalizing a beloved town for future success.
Dylan McGreevy. I own Clay Construction. We're right here in old and historic Leesburg. We're a general contractor. We focus mainly on commercial construction. We do a lot of interior fit-out work, but we also do a lot of base build construction as well really across all different industries, from hospitality to office to general services, to office to general services.
Speaker 2:Okay, good morning. My name is Kevin Ash. I have Madison Dale Development also located here in Leesburg, virginia. Historically I focused on urban infill down in DC, arlington, alexandria, but I've always had a base in Loudoun County. But post-pandemic I've made it a focus to work here in Leesburg and Loudoun County and have some pretty exciting upcoming projects.
Speaker 3:Awesome. Before we get to those projects, can you give me a little bit of a background, like how you got started in your industry for both of you, whoever wants to go first?
Speaker 1:Yeah, well, I've always been in construction from a young age. Growing up, my summer jobs were usually working for some home builder. I'm from Front Royal, virginia. There's a lot of home builders out there, so that was always kind of where I say I cut my teeth was my summer job. When I graduated college, I kind of jumped right back into construction. I didn't focus on a study in construction, but I started a business in 2015, framing houses. So we had a couple of crews out there framing for other builders and then gradually my business kind of evolved into larger elements of construction from actual home building and then right into commercial and more robust commercial construction. But that kind of leads us to where we are today.
Speaker 3:Nice, all right.
Speaker 2:A long long time ago. I got into construction in the early 90s. Right out of high school I went to night school for a little while studying architecture, construction management, construction law. I'd worked for several different companies before starting my own firm in 2005, specializing in construction and development. I really enjoy the process of identifying a piece of land, working through the design and the zoning elements and then working with architects, engineers and interior design firms to design a project that ultimately is under construction and then develops into somebody's home or somebody's office. And that whole process, from inception to completion, is something that's been driving me for many, many years now.
Speaker 3:Nice Love that. Now can you talk to me about the current projects that you guys are working on, and I think we have one here in downtown Leesburg that you guys are working with a hotel.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 3:Talk to me about that.
Speaker 2:So here in the old and historic district of Leesburg I've developed five buildings. I still own three of them. So I'm very passionate about the old and historic district. I love the architecture here so I'd like to continue with that. But as these older communities start to get some age, it is time to start revitalizing certain properties. I've had my eye on this property at 208 South King Street, so it's two doors up from Goose Cup, kind of a prominent coffee spot, so two doors up from Goose Cup. Two years ago I was able to acquire a property it's actually one of the largest pieces of property on King Street. So, working with a lot of town counselors, I was able to change some zoning ordinances and ultimately right now we have a 39 room boutique hotel with a restaurant, a speakeasy and a social club all coming online.
Speaker 3:How exciting. I love that, especially by Goose Cup, like, okay, we can make a daycation out of it.
Speaker 2:A lot of people. Loudoun County has 2,800 weddings a year here Perfect. We have 66 vineyards and 14 and growing breweries, so there's a lot of weekend activities out here and from King Street. Here in Leesburg West there's only one hotel, the Salamander. So from a supply and demand standpoint we think that it's a long time coming and we're just glad we were able to do it here in old, historic Leesburg.
Speaker 3:Yeah, that's so exciting. Is there going to be a pool?
Speaker 2:There's not a pool, there's a water feature. Okay, but part of the hotel just south of town. Seven miles south of town we do have a 22-acre parcel that has a historic barn on it that Clay Construction has already renovated. It was built in 1858. So that property is called the Manor 1858. Madison Dale is building an 8,000-square eight bedroom bed and breakfast that does have a pool. That is managed by the hotel management company. So we have 39 rooms here in town. We have eight rooms just south of town, and so wedding parties could stay on property. At a wedding event, guests could stay here in town. You could have executive retreats at the bed and breakfast. So, holistically, that's what we're trying to execute here.
Speaker 3:No, that's amazing. That sounds really exciting. I can't wait Any dates of when it'll officially open.
Speaker 2:August of 25.
Speaker 3:Okay, perfect, cool, and if you want to share your experience on working on this new project, please do so.
Speaker 1:Well, it's been a fun process. I think what's unique about our involvement is that we really were aware of the project at its conception when Kevin acquired the property. So we've been intimately involved in the process through entitlements here in town. We've been a part of all the BAR meetings we have in clay construction a design element as well that really played a big part in pushing the concepts through some of the boards here in town to get to approval. So I think that's pretty unique from a general construction perspective is being able to kind of peek behind the curtain and see how the developer works. So that's been a lot of fun. It's been a great learning experience and then once we got our permit, we could start digging dirt. It's kind of business as usual, yeah, so it's been a lot of fun.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I love that. Talk to me about marketing for you guys. Like, how do you plan to market the type of services that you guys offer to the community, like maybe anybody who's listening from Loudoun if they're interested in working on projects with you guys.
Speaker 1:Yeah, well, I think it's probably it's twofold right. Clay Construction really is a full service design build construction firm and I mentioned previously that we have a design element. We have our own architect in-house, which is really unique. Own architect in-house, which is really unique. There's a big value add there for business owners. As they go out and prospect potential investments whether it's leasing a space or actually acquiring a property themselves understanding what the construction costs are going to be before they make those decisions are really key. We like to say that we give people actionable information beforehand so they make sound business decisions. We do that with utilizing our design team as well as historical data that we have from past projects and also leveraging relationships we have with our subcontractor base to get realistic decisions, up-to-date costs, on what construction could look like. So we really try to partner and add value very early on. And then executing the construction is the fun part.
Speaker 1:I think Kevin mentioned it earlier. The passion behind all this is really building cool things, things that last, that we can look back on, drive by and point at and say, hey, I built that or I designed that, but that's really what clay construction is. That's our differentiator. I would say is that design piece. But we're all over Northern Virginia, the DMV area. We seem to be very active here in Loudoun County, which we love. It's in our backyard we have the hotel we're building. We have a large kennel off Gleesville Road that we're building at the moment. Kevin mentioned the development down off Oatlands Road that's part of the hotel Knightsbridge Knightsbridge development. So we're building a lot of the houses out that way.
Speaker 3:Very nice, you guys sound very busy.
Speaker 1:We are. We're lucky to be very busy.
Speaker 3:What about you as far as marketing goes? Any tips or anything?
Speaker 2:No, I don't really market. What about you as far as marketing goes, any tips or anything made a lot of relationships out there, so that you know, constant connection with people is really what drives me. I really love this process that you know I could be working with a trades person in the morning, an architect, midday a lawyer, you know. So there's just so many walks of life that we, you know, touch every day in our business, which really gives you know a really cool experience each day of all the different people you affect and you touch as you're designing and building these projects. But then in the end, you know you're creating a home or a place for somebody to stay in, a hotel, a condominium, so you know the end result really is something that's long lasting and you know, again, just touching a lot of different people.
Speaker 3:Yeah, absolutely, and I want to go back to the hotel, just because my mind won't stop thinking about like, what is it going to look like? What is the style of it or the feel? Can you share that?
Speaker 2:with us. The vibe, yes, the vibe. Thank you that. So it is. Ralph Lauren meets Loudoun County.
Speaker 3:Okay.
Speaker 2:So we're really nostalgic in the history here, but not making it old and stuffy. So there's a 70-person restaurant. That's part of it. It has federal and Italianate architecture along with a historic house. So the historic house we're converting to the lobby bar. Okay, Very moody vibey, dark colors, dark, stained herringbone floor. So there's lots of moments throughout the building. Downstairs we have a full-service gym and a speakeasy. So those are cool spaces to have here in Loudoun. The gym does have a shower facility Nice, so you can work out, you can shower, you can go back to work. The first floor is all a bar, restaurant and lobby check-in. The second floor is the social club. So there's a big, there's a library, a pantry and lots of private meeting rooms, board rooms, and then the key suites are the third and fourth floor. And then the rooftop is the largest rooftop here in Loudoun County, 127 feet. There's three really different components to it there's a sun deck, there's a social space and then there's private meeting space and a trellis for alfresco dining.
Speaker 3:Wow, I'm getting really excited about this. Like my goodness, can 2025 October just get here already?
Speaker 2:It's growing out of the ground as we speak.
Speaker 3:Perfect. And now, what do you guys like to do to unwind? You guys sound very busy. How are those boundaries when you need to take a moment to just breathe and take, you know, reset so you can be at your best when you're back at work?
Speaker 1:I'm consumed with family. I think that's where you can. It's kind of the right place to unwind. When you get out of the office, you go home. You know that's the most important thing is a family, and so that makes it easier to unwind. It's hard to totally disconnect from work, but a lot of times you don't want to. I think we're constantly, always thinking about how to improve efficiencies or how to change design elements. You know I mentioned that clay construction is still heavily involved in the design piece of things, and so we work hand in hand with the developer to come up with unique and creative ways to make things work. And so in the back of your mind, you're always thinking about those things, but that's fun for us. I would say, and I don't always thinking about those things but that, but that's fun for us. I would say, and I don't want to speak for you, but I know you don't ever stop thinking about design.
Speaker 2:I think that the the relaxing part is is travel, and when you travel you can, you can see other forms of architecture, other cultures, how they, you know, use buildings, live in buildings, eat in buildings, and so, I think, really travel. You know, I've traveled extensively over the last 25 years all over the world and a lot of those elements you know find their way into the design of projects that I design and build, and so I think that's a real fun way to escape and, you know, Perfect, I love that, no, and then bring some of that inspiration over here so we can see what all you've seen.
Speaker 2:You know our region, if you will, is relatively new in the world, right? So I mean, 1758 is Leesburg. You travel in Spain and you see 1500s. So you know hundreds and hundreds of years of how buildings have, you know, persisted in these villages and these. You know communities and you look at them and you study them, and our architecture comes from Europe, yeah, so when you're in Europe you can really dive into understanding how our buildings look, the way they are, and how we can bring some of that history and some of that back.
Speaker 3:Absolutely. I see that a lot in DC right. Oh, a ton Yep, yeah, all right. And so when you guys are taking on new clients, is there a particular process that they need to go through to make sure that they are the right clients that you're looking to work with? Or how would that work if anybody's inquiring to work with you guys?
Speaker 1:Yeah, I guess it would depend on where they are in the development or the phase of their projects If it's in its early infancy. They're looking at a piece of property, they know they want to do something with it, but not sure what yet. That might be a good starting point for someone like Madison Dale that can help them, guide, guide them through that highest investment.
Speaker 2:I would really implore somebody to come to us as early in the process as possible. So the later the process goes, the less impact we can have on really helping them steer the project for economical success. Have on really helping them steer the project for economical success. So if a project starts getting into design and you have to redesign something, that's counterintuitive, so they're taking steps back. So the earlier we get involved in a project, the more we can help impact from a design, economical standpoint and delivery, because there's a lot of means and methods of construction that one design firm might think is better, but when we're actually building these buildings in real life, we can help describe these different means and methods of construction. That can help save time and money. And when interest rates are at 8%, six months in time has a direct correlation to money.
Speaker 3:Yes, no, I like that you have your own like system. That you've got going on. I think that's great and brilliant. Where do you guys see yourselves like as a person and with your business in the five years? Any room for expansion, any new services that you may be adding? Talk to me about that.
Speaker 1:As long as we're having fun.
Speaker 1:I want to keep doing it. I don't really ever see a stopping point if I'm having fun. I think as long as we're always designing and building cool things, I'll continue to do that. Like I had mentioned previously, it's motivating when you drive down the street and look at a project that a lot of other people are going to be able to see and then you can say, hey, I designed or I built that project. I think as long as we're growing in how we execute these projects and improving our efficiencies, that's going to keep me going.
Speaker 3:And I'm sure, it means a lot to you when people are making memories and experiences in those buildings that you had a hand in helping to make.
Speaker 1:Yeah, for sure. So I think that's very amazing. Yeah, and it's fun to see the people that we interact with, whether they're working at Clay Construction or Madison Dale or they're just various key stakeholders involved in the project. It's really exciting to see how our expertise can directly impact or help them achieve their goals. That's a lot of fun for us.
Speaker 3:Awesome. What about for you?
Speaker 2:You know, I mean as life keeps, you know, moving on, and you know I just I enjoy what I do. I mean sometimes it's I've been at it for 30 years, so all this stuff takes cycles, and so sometimes you're really, really busy. Then sometimes you slow down, and so I think, managing the pace of things changes as you get older and you have, you know, more desires to travel more often and see more things. Um, so that's the balance of life. Uh, your life is always going to, you know, be pulling at you in different, you know aspects, and so just juggling those priorities and, you know, figuring out what those priorities are, as you, you know, grow up, grow older, yeah, no, I hope you get to travel more, Cause it sounds like that's something you really like.
Speaker 3:Awesome, um, is there anything maybe that I have not touched on, that you guys want to share? Um, hopefully I've touched on some highlights, but if there's anything that you want to talk to us about, please, uh, let us know.
Speaker 1:No, I think, uh, getting in touch with us as early as possible in those processes, I think is key. I mean, if there was anything that we could really have people walk away with, it's that it's. Understanding the costs that you're about to embark on from a construction perspective is really important. When we design things, we look at projects as if it's our own money. Right, and I think that's the value that we add clients early on in that process is let us help you spend your money wisely and execute a project and achieve that highest and best use of an existing space or an empty property. I think if that was the one thing people walked away with, that'd be great.
Speaker 3:Awesome yeah.
Speaker 2:I think the biggest thing right now is that you know Leesburg is changing and the town does need to change for the better. We have, you know, so many great attributes here in town that if we don't capitalize on it and repurpose a lot of what's here I'm seeing. So the last 15 years being here, I've seen the demographics change substantially. We have a much younger crowd that you know, enjoys the space. I think post-pandemic people have, you know, come out West further and they really, you know, love this space as much as I do. So you know, focusing on that and you know, creating new spaces for new people to enjoy over time is really important and having the town, council members and board directors really understand that that's our mission here is to really build great stuff that, you know, you know stands the test of time and, and you know, embraces the town and helps mold it is really important.
Speaker 3:Awesome. Thank you All right. My last question is do you guys have a mantra or a motto that you like to live your life by that helps, I guess, better yourself or inspire you, and would you like to share that with our listeners?
Speaker 2:Well, the trademark of Madison Dale is the style of a life well-lived. Okay, so that is the mantra.
Speaker 3:Love it. I love how you had that ready. Perfect question there.
Speaker 1:Yeah, Clay doesn't have a mantra yet but, yeah, yet no, just keep having fun.
Speaker 3:Awesome. No, thank you guys so much for coming in and making time to be here and share your insights and the new exciting stuff we got going on here for Old Town, leesburg.
Speaker 1:Yeah, thanks for having us, yeah absolutely.