About Blair Construction

Three years after Henry Ford introduced the Model T to the American public, Roy Blair took his outstanding work ethic and expert craftsmanship and started a construction company.

More than one hundred years later, Fred Blair and his family continue in the footsteps of his father and grandfather by running a high-performing construction firm based on simple family values and long-standing business principles.

One beam at a time, Blair Construction is making the Virginia and North Carolina area a better place.

1911

Blair’s Grandfather Begins Construction

Blair’s grandfather, Roy, began his commercial building career in 1911, hauling tools to job sites in the trunk of his car.
1911

1979

New Office is Built

Fred Blair built an office on U.S. 29, just outside Gretna, despite warnings about the cost.
1979

1981

Camden Hall Fire Repairs

A devastating fire burned the top floor of Camden Hall at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, VA. Fred Blair rose to the challenge of making the repairs. This was Fred Blair’s first big opportunity with commercial construction and from there Blair began to grow as a commercial builder.

1981

1985

Insurance Bonds

Former English Construction owner Curtis English helped Blair get his first bonds, insuring the construction work and allowing for bids on public jobs in the early 1980s. That insurance relationship still exists today through English’s granddaughter, Whitney Dalton Melton.
1985

2000

Blair’s Office Grows

Blair Construction Office BuildingAn addition to the original Blair Construction office is made in 2000 which tripled the original office size.
2000

2007

Over 1 million square feet

Our volume of business has doubled every other year since 1976, and in 2007, we celebrated over 1 million square feet of construction.
2007

2014

New Danville YMCA is completed

An anchor to Downtown Danville’s redevelopment, the Y is one of the most transformational projects with which Blair has been involved.
2014

2015

James River Equipment

Blair begins a longterm relationship with the region’s largest John Deere equipment dealer.
2015

2017

Blair Grows with Centra Health

Blair completes its second large medical office building for Centra Health in Danville.
2017

2019

Charlotte County Courthouse Addition

Blair completes another major courthouse addition.
2019

2020

Danville Cyber Park Addition

Blair completes its eighth project in Danville’s Cyber Park – the high bay addition to the Hawkins Building.
2020

2021

Halifax County Courthouse

Blair completed the historic renovation and addition to the Halifax County Courthouse.
2021

Old-fashioned Values Meet the Latest Construction Systems

In 1911, Roy Blair kept his contracts in his head and his tools in the trunk of his car. In the modern age, Blair Construction maintains those same high, small-town standards, while incorporating the latest industry advances in technology and construction safety for our design build and bid work customers.

It's All About People

Each Blair Construction team member represents the best in construction: a combination of creative thought and natural talent, along with an honest, friendly, straightforward attitude. This unique combination has helped us to grow into one of the most successful and sought-after commercial construction companies in Virginia and the Blue Ridge region.

A Large and Growing Portfolio

The proof of our success is in our track record. Our volume of business has doubled every other year since 1976. In 2007, we celebrated over 1 million square feet of construction.

This large and growing portfolio is no accident. Our presentation portfolio is backed by over 92 years of experience. It includes public and private schools, churches, municipal buildings, medical office construction and facilities, retail construction, office construction, agricultural construction, and a multitude of industrial facilities. Our projects span the width of Virginia and North Carolina, from Richmond, VA, to Raleigh, NC, and from Emporia, VA, to Blacksburg, VA, and all points in between.

About Blair Construction: Put Your Project in the Right Hands

Nine decades after Roy Blair first started this company, we continue to go above and beyond our customer’s expectations for planning, locating, and completing high-quality construction projects. Though we’ve expanded from one man and a toolbox to over 80 employees, we’ve never lost sight of what makes us so successful: an old-fashioned dedication to carrying our customers through a high-quality, low-stress construction project.

About Blair Construction | Building Virginia’s Future Since 1911

Blair Construction is a family-owned general contractor headquartered in Gretna, Virginia. For over a century, we’ve proudly served the region’s economic development, commercial, industrial, and advanced manufacturing clients with dependable service and expert craftsmanship.

From our roots in Gretna to Danville, Martinsville, Lynchburg, Halifax, and surrounding communities, our team remains committed to delivering top-quality results, every time.

General Contractor Serving Southern Virginia | Our Regional Commitment

We serve a wide range of clients across the Commonwealth of Virginia, from small community spaces to large-scale advanced manufacturing facilities. As a trusted general contractor serving Southern Virginia and surrounding communities, we bring regional knowledge, licensed expertise, and proven experience to every job site.

Our team understands the unique needs of the regions we serve, from manufacturing corridors near our Gretna headquarters to the growing commercial districts of Danville, Martinsville, Lynchburg and Halifax.

We’re experienced in building for a wide range of sectors, including:

  • Economic Development
  • Advanced Manufacturing
  • Industrial Developments
  • Commercial Offices and Community Spaces
  • Educational Institutions
  • Healthcare facilities
Manufacturing facility construction Danville VA

A Century of Building Excellence

Commercial construction contractor Lynchburg VA

Founded in 1911, Blair Construction has grown from a local contractor into a leading provider of industrial and commercial construction across Virginia. We’ve completed projects for banks, advanced manufacturers, medical centers, and municipal clients — always with a focus on durability, safety, and long-term performance.

Our century of experience includes:

  • Economic development projects
  • Public and private sector builds
  • Repeat client relationships
  • Specialty advanced manufacturing and commercial construction

What Sets Us Apart?

We’re more than builders — we’re partners. Our family values are reflected in how we manage projects, communicate with clients, and support the communities we serve.

Our competitive advantages:

  • Pre-design and budgeting services
  • Responsive and transparent communication
  • Regional expertise across Southern and Central Virginia
  • Strong subcontractor relationships and skilled field crews
  • Family-owned and operated since 1911

Professional Credentials & Partnerships

Blair Construction is licensed, bonded, and fully insured. Our leadership team holds decades of combined experience, and we actively participate in key industry organizations. Our reputation has been built on safety, professionalism, and results.

Community and Industry Partnerships:

Regional Economic Development:

  • Southern Virginia Regional Alliance

  • Go Virginia Regional Council

  • Danville Industrial Development Authority

  • The Future of the Piedmont

  • The Blue Ridge Innovation Corridor (BIRC)

 

Chamber Memberships:

  • Roanoke Chamber

  • Danville/Pittsylvania County Chamber

  • Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance

 

Community & Workforce Development:

  • Workforce Investment Board

  • ECO Ambassador

Historic renovation contractor Martinsville VA

Making the World a Better Place

Blair Construction’s commitment to making the world a better place isn’t measured in marketing slogans—it’s evidenced in over 110+ years of measurable community impact across Southern Virginia.

Since 1911, four generations of the Blair family have built the foundations for healthier, more educated, and more prosperous communities throughout the region.

Healthcare and Educational Construction

Blair has built facilities representing over $200 million in educational, healthcare, and community infrastructure that directly serve thousands of Virginia residents daily.

  • Centra Health Medical Center in Gretna – Blair constructed this $23.8 million facility providing 24/7 emergency care for Pittsylvania County residents

  • Center for Manufacturing Advancement – Blair built this $25.5 million facility that trains 800-1,000 workers annually with 99% pass rate

Economic Development and Local Partnerships

  • 35 high-paying jobs ($65,000 average) through the Kyocera SGS Tech Hub

  • 17 local suppliers used on a single project, keeping dollars in Virginia’s economy

  • Hundreds of manufacturing jobs created across multiple economic development projects

Community Investment and Future Generations

  • Danville Family YMCA – Blair constructed this $15 million facility and recreational facilities for community wellness
  • $40,000+ in scholarships disbursed to construction students since 2001
  • Business of the Year 2023 – Merchants Association of Gretna recognition
  • “Ut Prosim” (That I May Serve) – President Tim Clark’s Virginia Tech motto guides his community-focused leadership