Salisbury, MD – Gillis Gilkerson Construction proudly announces the successful completion of Chesapeake Shipbuilding’s new, two-story, state-of-the-art building, spanning an impressive +/-10,000 square feet. The new office building is located within bounds of Chesapeake Shipbuilding’s commercial shipyard located along the Wicomico River and marks a significant addition to Chesapeake Shipbuilding’s growing presence in the Salisbury area.
Chesapeake Shipbuilding stands as a beacon of success in shipyard and naval architecture in the United States today, with over thirty years of direct industry experience, designing and building commercial ships up to 450 feet in length, suitable for inland waterway or ocean service. Gillis Gilkerson is honored to have partnered with this industry leader on a project that strengthens their foothold in the community.
The construction process was executed with meticulous precision to ensure zero interference with the shipyard’s day-to-day operations, where tight deadlines are the norm. Leading the charge were Gillis Gilkerson Project Manager Matt Esham and Superintendent Charlie Morris.
Matt Esham reflected on the experience, saying, “It was a privilege to contribute to the successful completion of a business that adds immense value to our community. Through open and thorough communication, we ensured the delivery of a building that seamlessly integrates with their already extensive operation.”
Chesapeake Shipbuilding’s Vice President, Roy Sarrafian, acknowledged the challenges involved in constructing a building of any size within an active shipyard, stating, “It’s no small feat to undertake construction in an active shipyard. Gillis Gilkerson took safety and communication as their top priorities from start to finish. We deeply appreciate the time and dedication they invested in ensuring the successful completion of our new office building, housing the shipyard’s executive offices and engineering support staff.”
This project underscores the collaborative spirit between Gillis Gilkerson Construction and Chesapeake Shipbuilding, and symbolizes both firms’ unwavering commitment to safety, communication, and community progress.
About Gillis Gilkerson
As award-winning Gillis Gilkerson celebrates its 40th year in business on Delmarva, the firm has established a reputation as one of the most trusted and stable construction management, general contracting, and real estate development firms on the Peninsula. The team offers a broad and deep understanding of all commercial asset types, including medical, general office, industrial, hospitality, mercantile, restaurants, retail and more. As a collective of creative problem solvers, Gillis Gilkerson is capable of stepping beyond the call of duty of traditional contractor to assist with more in-depth development tasks, including land purchase, building program development and turnkey project and property management. The team works in conjunction with architects, government planners, engineers, surveyors, inspectors, and leasing agents to manage the process of both development and construction from concept to completion.
