NBA Principal Steve Gresham Retires

May 2021 - We are saddened to announce the passing of our friend and colleague Steve Gresham on April 29th. After 38 years with Niles Bolton Associates, Steve stepped back from day-to-day responsibilities at NBA in late-2020, but his contribution to the continued growth and success of the firm remains strong.

Steve joined NBA in August of 1982 as our fifteenth employee. Today we have ten times more than that and we certainly owe a measure of our success, particularly the growth of the Alexandria practice, to Steve’s foresight and leadership. Alexandria continues to have a robust portfolio of upcoming projects stretching from New England to south Florida.

Walter Ploskon, who has served as Alexandria’s Managing Director for the past several years, will take up the torch as we look ahead. Walter has been involved in national and international projects of all sizes and budgets, including several award-winning multifamily and commercial developments.

When Steve moved up from Atlanta to head up the Alexandria office in 1989, it was just in time for a huge recession to hit. Our resilience then and now is a testament to the caliber of people that have always made this firm so special. Despite the difficulties of operating during the current pandemic, NBA has thrived, adding projects and people.

So, as Steve takes on a new role as spoiler-in-chief to his grandson Emerson, we’re optimistic about our next steps, confident about an exciting future built on the solid foundation he has laid.

Read more about Steve’s career and projects below…

Bill vonHedemann, Steve Gresham and Niles Bolton

Who is an architect that you admire?
There are so many wonderful architects throughout history that it is hard to name just one. Thomas Jefferson will have to be near the top of the list, though. He founded the University of Virginia (my alma mater) and designed the college’s “academical village” grounds plan. He also designed The Rotunda on UVA’s campus, inspired by the Roman Pantheon. On a personal level, I hold my father-in-law as an example of a very good architect and a person of great integrity.

What has changed about the industry since you started?
The introduction of computers is the single biggest change. (Yes, there was a time before AutoCAD and BIM.) In my first position out of school, we drew on linen with Rapidograph pens. We used manual calculators and slide rules. Now, the software available automates much of the rote work and allows architects to place more focus on design.

When/how did you meet Niles?
A colleague from a previous job joined NBA. He recommended the firm to me and me to Niles. I called Niles and came in for an interview in 1982. At the time, I was looking for a small to medium sized firm. Look what happened.

You’ve worked at both the Atlanta and DC offices. What was your favorite thing about each office?
I have enjoyed both offices. I was already living in Atlanta prior to NBA, earning a Master of Architecture at the Georgia Institute of Technology. I later earned a Master of Business Administration at Georgia State University while working at the firm. Atlanta was new, vibrant and full of energy. In Atlanta, I was able to move from our old Mathieson Drive office to our current Buckhead Plaza office that we have been in since 1988. The size of the office staff gave us many resources. However, I’ve grown to love Old Town Alexandria and DC.

What was the first project you worked on at NBA?
Chase Arbor in Virginia Beach, VA for Crow, Terwilliger and Michaux.

If you could give advice to someone just starting out in architecture, what would you tell them?
When you are making architecture, you are making a permanent change to the earth. Think about how your
decisions will affect the future generations. Think about permanence, not just the latest trends. What will the building look like to your children's children's children?

You have quite an impressive collection of bowties. How many do you currently own?
+/- 50 . . . but since I am working from home these days, I don't get many opportunities to wear them.

What has been your most rewarding project at NBA, and why?
Trellis House. RISE, our client, needed assistance with the project, so I took on the role of owner's rep. This allowed me to approach the project from an entirely different perspective. I view challenges as opportunities for learning and growth. Trellis House provided both. On top of the new role, the project was technically and managerially challenging. There were multiple stakeholders to satisfy. Because there were zoning changes requested from the District of Columbia, there were seven neighborhood groups to satisfy. Closing the public alley on the block literally required an Act of Congress. Assembling and coordinating the consultant team required interviewing, selecting and proposing the consultants to RISE. There were many challenges, but dealing with the NBA design team from the perspective of a client was the biggest challenge of all! <grin>

What is something you’ve done in your career that your 16-year-old self wouldn’t have envisioned?
I’ve spoken at a number of industry events, but most memorable was representing the National Apartment Association twice before the U. S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Health and Safety on the Construction Safety, Health & Education Improvement Acts of 1990 and 1991.

What have been some of your favorite projects you’ve worked on? Do any stick out in your mind?
My favorite project is always the next one. Having dispensed with that cliché, I have really enjoyed New Village at Patchogue, planning the Ronkonkoma Hub, 500 Main Street, Trellis House, Jefferson at Carlyle Mill and Georgetown Heights. Blair Towns is memorable as it was the first LEED certified multifamily project in the country.