At Nowland Associates, our people are the foundation of our quest for excellence. We pride ourselves on being an innovative, forward-thinking construction company that only works with the best clients, subcontractors and consultants. We strive to deliver the highest quality construction services and workmanship that exceeds expectations. For more than 80 years we have cultivated a reputation for ourselves built on honesty, integrity and quality.
Our story begins in the mid 1920’s when brothers Gifford “Pop” Nowland and Clarence Nowland started Nowland Brothers General Contractors, a construction company whose foundation was that of high quality craftsmenship, and a business etich of honesty and integrity. Those founding principles still ring true today through three generations of family ownership.
Nowland Brothers General Contractors Founded in the mid 1920’s by Gifford Alfred and Clarence Lewis Nowland
Stock Markets collapsed on Tuesday October 29th, 1929 marking the beginning of the great depression.
In 1942 Nowland Brothers Construction is officially recognized as a commercial construction company.
On May 8, 1945, both Great Britain and the United States celebrate Victory in Europe Day. Cities in both nations, as well as formerly occupied cities in Western Europe, put out flags and banners, rejoicing in the defeat of the Nazi war machine.
After graduating from the University of Delaware and honoring his commitment to the ROTC Program, Gifford Worth Nowland, oldest son of Gifford Alfred, established his own construction company. His business focused on individual professional buildings as well as some custom homes.
In 1962, Gifford A.’s third son Dale, began working as a construction laborer for Nowland Brothers, upon completing his service in the U.S. Navy. Upon completing his apprenticeship in carpentry Dale worked his way to become a field Superintendent where he ran his first commercial project for the North Star School.
On January 1, 1966, a partnership between Nowland Brothers General Contractors and Giff Nowland Construction Company was formed. Each company invested equally in the new entity, Nowland Associates.
In 1969 Nowland Associates became a dealer for Star Building Systems located in Oklahoma City, OK. The tradition continues today after nearly 50 years dedication to Star.
After completing construction of the Chapel North office building, Nowland Associates relocates from Windy Hills in 1970. This would remain the company’s home until 2001.
Nowland Associates completes the Lower School for Wilmington Friends.
After operating as a partnership for seven years, it was decided that the company should incorporate, and on January 1, 1973, each partner again contributed an additional equal investment as stockholders, and the corporation Nowland Associates, Inc. was formed. Shortly thereafter, Clarence Nowland retired and ended his involvement with the family business.
Nowland Associates completes the first building for Colonial Metals. A Design | Build partnership that still remains today.
Shortly after the formation of Nowland Associates, Co-founder Clarence L. Nowland retires from the company. On December 16th, 1975 Clarence passed away.
A groundbreaking ceremony is held for the City of Newark Municipal Building located on South Main Street. Gifford W. Nowland attends the ceremony and is pictured on the far right.
This photograph is one of the last taken of Gifford A. working with his two sons Gifford W. and Dale Nowland. This image captures the ideals of Nowland Associates and hangs proudly in our office today. It was taken in 1974 at a job trailer on the construction site of a new facility for Kimble-Terumo located in Elkton, MD.
On October 5, 1974 tragedy struck and Gifford W. Nowland passed away suddenly, leaving his share of the corporation to his wife, Virginia M. Nowland. The loss was devastating to the family and to Nowland Associates, and as a result Dale began working in the office to help maintain the business and client relationships.
In 1981, Nowland Associates became a Charter Member of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Delaware, when the organization became established in Delaware. Dale Nowland played a critical role in the organization’s founding and the company remains an active member today.
In 1982, Nowland Associates constructs its first building for W.L. Gore and Associates. The facility in Fair Hill would be the first of many collaborative projects, a relationship that continues today.
On November 9, 1989, as the Cold War began to thaw across Eastern Europe, the spokesman for East Berlin’s Communist Party announced a change in his city’s relations with the West. Starting at midnight that day, he said, citizens of the GDR were free to cross the country’s borders
After earning his degree in Construction Engineering from Bradley University, Jeff Nowland begins his career working for Nowland Associates full time.
After completing a four-year apprenticeship at a structural engineering firm, Jim Nowland becomes a licensed engineer and enters the family business.
Dale Nowland and Bill Burkley create a partnership to develop the Upper Chesapeake Corporate Center in Elkton, Maryland. The “Burk-Land” office building (shown) was one of the first buildings constructed in the park.
In 1996, Co-Founder Gifford A. Nowland steps down from Nowland Associates at age 80. After 8 years of battling illness, he passes away at age 88.
In 1999, Nowland Associates completes it’s first project with St. Andrew’s School. It was the complete renovation to the school’s existing library. Nowland Associates still maintains the partnership today having managed dozens of renovation and new construction projects for St. Andrew’s. Pictured was a complete renovation to the schools historic gymnasium.
After 58 years, Nowland Associates constructs their own office building and relocates all operations to a new facility at 2009 Ogletown Rd. in Newark.
Upon completing his architectural apprenticeship in Boston, MA and becoming a registered architect, Giff Nowland officially joins the family business.
On September 11, 2001, two planes were flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, a third plane hit the Pentagon just outside Washington, D.C., and the fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. Almost 3,000 people were killed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Completion of the Patricia A. Bathon Math and Science and Renovations of Finley Hall at the West Nottingham Academy in Colora, Maryland
On December 31, 2004, Dale Nowland retires leaving his three sons, Jeff, Jim and Giff to continue on with the family tradition as the third generation takes the helm. Jeff Nowland is named President.
In 2007 the Cecil County Government selected Nowland Associates to Design | Build a new Administration Building to consolidate their governmental operations. The building is located in the Upper Chesapeake Corporate Center in Elkton, MD.
An eight phase expansion and renovation project spanning three years is completed for the Blood Bank of Delaware, Christian Donor Center.
A major expansion to the Singerly Fire Company Station 13 is completed.
Completion of a new Math and Science Center for the Tower Hill School, located located in Wilmington, Delaware.
The Global Learning Center at Wilmington Friends School is completed and becomes Nowland Associates' first Net-Zero construction project.
The Tasting Room and Banquet Facility is completed for Chateau Bu-De at the Bohemia Manor Farm, located in Chesapeake City, MD.
In 2017, Nowland Associates celebrates its 75th anniversary with a gala event at the Chateau Bu-De winery. Over 400 attendees were on hand made up of clients, contractors, associates, family and friends. It was an amazing event to reconnect with so many, and to reflect on 75 years of accomplishments.
The novel human coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first reported in Wuhan, China, in 2019, and subsequently spread globally to become the fifth documented pandemic since the 1918 flu pandemic
Renovations to Amos Hall at St. Andrew's School are completed and the project receives LEED certification.
August 2023 marked the Grand Opening of the ASPIRA Academy High School. This project is a great example of a Design | Build partnership with Nowland Associates. The project spanned four years with multiple phases, remaining occupied throughout construction.
Gifford "Pop" Nowland (Middle) with two sons Dale (left) and Giff (right)
Gifford "Pop" and Dale Nowland collecting an award at the Star National Sales Meeting
Emma Jane and Dale Nowland receiving a Star Building Systems Master Builder Award
Third generation sons Jeff, Giff and Jim with father Dale Nowland at their office in Newark, DE