The penultimate decade in our history so far, the 2010’s were a transformative decade marked by significant growth and project success. From leadership transitions to major project achievements, the 2010s represented a period of innovation and renewed momentum.

Higley Construction started the decade with key leadership transitions at the helm. Gareth Vaughan assumed the role of President, bringing a focus on regional growth to the company. That same year, Wesley Hansen, who had first joined the company in 1971 and built a decades-long legacy bringing excellence to every project, was promoted to Vice President of Operations. Together, their combined experience and forward-thinking leadership strengthened the company’s foundation and positioned it for continued success throughout the decade.

The 2010’s marked a historic decade for Higley with the construction of Eaton’s North American Headquarters.  This project began a new era for our company, as it was our largest project win at the time. The $175 Million facility included corporate offices, conference, data center, and training spaces for Eaton North American Headquarters, an auditorium, cafeteria, and experience center. The project consisted of a 587,000 SF interconnected ten-story office tower flanked by two crescent shaped five-story wings, a 332,900 SF (1,100-car) five-level parking garage, a 30,000-SF wellness center, and 53 acres of site development.

Another market that experienced significant growth in the 2010s was hospitality and entertainment. Throughout the decade, Higley completed multiple projects at the Cleveland Ritz-Carlton Hotel, including renovations to the ballrooms, guest rooms, and the Muse Bar and Restaurant. Additional work included projects for the Marriott Key Tower, the Cleveland Browns, and Cru Restaurant.

This decade also marked Higley’s entry into zoological projects, highlighted by construction of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Asian Highlands exhibit and the Detroit Zoo’s Tiger Exhibit. Overall, the 2010s represented a major shift toward community-focused projects designed to enhance visitor experiences.

Toward the end of the decade, Higley began exploring opportunities to expand beyond Northeast Ohio. While we had previously completed projects in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and New York, the company was once again focused on bringing our values and expertise to new regions. In February of 2018, we expanded our footprint into Detroit  with Ryan Doyle as Regional Vice President. Within a short time,  our team completed projects for the Detroit Zoo, Cooking with Que’s Kitchen, and the Rock Health Collective - all by the end of the decade. The following year in March, we opened our Pittsburgh office and completed the Tapestry Moon Senior Living Facility.

By the end of the decade, Higley  had grown and expanded to new heights unimaginable in 1925. This time also saw the profound loss of Bruce Higley, the grandson of our founder Albert Higley Sr. Bruce embodied the values on which Higley Construction was built, and his influence continues to guide us. As we celebrate our first 100 years, we remain committed to honoring his legacy and the enduring principles that have shaped Higley for a century.