Who are Manhattan Projects and why are they the ultimate construction partner?
We sat down with Reece Dryden to talk about this family business.
Manhattan began not just as a business venture — but as a legacy in the making.
It started with Paul Dryden, a young man with a baby on the way, and his father, George, returning to South Africa after time spent in the UK. Two generations, each bringing something different to the table.
Paul, full of drive and curiosity, with his hands already calloused from fixing bikes and stacking shelves in hardware stores, and George, a seasoned entrepreneur, had spent decades building businesses.
“From a ceilings and partitions company to a successful building firm called Garage Distributors, and even opening his own hardware store, The Builders Warehouse — well before the now-familiar ‘Builders Warehouse’ brand arrived in South Africa,” says Reece.
They saw an opportunity — not just to build homes, but to build a legacy for their family. Together, they founded Manhattan: a company that would specialise in cottages, garages, homes, offices, and later, larger commercial projects.
“With George’s wisdom and Paul’s work ethic, they set out to offer more than just bricks and mortar — they delivered trust, reliability, and craftsmanship.”
Growing as they go
Over the years, Manhattan Construction has grown into one of South Africa’s most respected home improvement companies. What started as a father and son with a vision became a family-driven business with a reputation built on quality, integrity, and relationships that last just as long as the buildings they construct.
It’s still a “family” affair
“We’re a close-knit team, with many family members involved in the business. Even those who aren’t directly related have been with us for over 15 years, making them very much part of the extended family.”
Operating from their office and warehouse facility in Midrand, the team consists of ten in-office staff, ten warehouse team members, and they work closely with five dedicated building teams, each ranging from 4 to 15 skilled members depending on the project.
“As a small, family-run construction company, we’re proud to say that we directly support and impact around 65 families through employment.”
They pride themselves on their long-standing relationships and the strong sense of trust and teamwork that drives every project they take on.
After nearly 50 years in the business, the team still gets excited about what they do.
“We genuinely enjoy all the work we do — whether it’s a smaller garage or a large commercial project.”
One thing that remains constant is their true commitment to creating family spaces and strengthening family bonds.
“If we had to pick a favourite project, it would be building one of our cottages for clients who are creating a space for their parents.”
For them, there’s something incredibly rewarding about meeting families, hearing their stories, and then being able to deliver a space that’s both comfortable and meaningful.
“These projects feel deeply personal, and we take pride in knowing that we’re building not just a structure, but a place where someone’s parents can feel truly at home.”
All about the family
Any project that plays a role in a family’s life — giving them more space, independence, or peace of mind — is what really excites and motivates the Manhattan team.
There will always be challenges
“Our biggest challenge to date was, unsurprisingly, the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many others in the industry, we were forced to shut down operations for a significant period, unable to build or move projects forward.”
That said, they consider themselves incredibly fortunate to have come through it. They managed to keep all of their team members employed and financially stable throughout, which gave them peace of mind during an otherwise uncertain time.
Another ongoing challenge, however, has been the deterioration in municipal services, particularly when it comes to council plan approvals.
These processes have become increasingly slow and inefficient, creating delays for both them and their clients.
“We remain proactive in navigating these hurdles, always looking for ways to assist and manage expectations as best we can in a challenging environment.”
With each challenge comes a chance at success
“Our biggest success so far has been reaching our 47th year in business — and we’re incredibly proud to be approaching our half-century milestone in the South African building industry.”
Over the decades, the industry and economy have experienced many highs and lows. They’ve seen building companies come and go but managed to keep their doors open by staying focused on what matters most: creating quality homes and spaces for real people.
“We feel extremely fortunate to have built a legacy rooted in trust, reliability, and passion. Being able to help families bring their dreams to life for nearly five decades is something we’re deeply proud of.”
Advice to homemakers
The construction industry is incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with its challenges — especially when it comes to pricing and planning. Unlike most products or services where you can search online and get an instant price, building isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Proactively managing costs and budgets
“Unless it’s one of our standard cottage designs (and even then, factors like ground conditions in your area can affect the foundation spec), every project is unique. That’s why we don’t guess or use generic estimates. Our company policy is to physically cost each project from scratch.”
This means their team puts in significant time and effort to design, scope, and accurately quote each build — often revising and refining along the way. While this may take a little longer, it ensures that the client receives a realistic, practical, and cost-effective building solution that suits their specific needs and site conditions.
Their value lies in their experience and work ethic.
“We believe in doing it properly from the start — and our clients benefit from that careful, considered approach.”
Looking ahead
“We’re proud to be building back strongly and have been on a steady growth curve since the COVID-19 pandemic. Our team is expanding — we’re actively welcoming new talent to strengthen our offering and bring fresh ideas to the table.”
They have also modernised their approach. They have always had physical showrooms, including three completed cottages and a dedicated finishes display unit.
Now, they are exploring two exciting next steps:
- Building a new 3-bedroom show cottage to showcase a larger family option, or
- Introducing a cutting-edge projection system in their warehouse, allowing clients to walk through their custom home design in 1:1 scale — giving them a life-sized, interactive experience of their future space before construction even begins.
In addition to technological innovation, they are expanding their reach across the province with the goal of becoming a multi-provincial company. They are working towards a long-term vision of becoming a leading name in South Africa’s domestic construction industry — known not just for their quality builds, but for how they care about the people they build for.
“With a growing team, evolving tools, and a passion for building meaningful spaces, the future is something we’re incredibly excited about.”
Ready to build your dream space? Contact Manhattan Projects today to bring your vision to life.
