41st Annual Preservation Gala

Honoring Sandy and Tom Gay

This year’s event will honor Sandy and Tom Gay for their longtime commitment to preservation. Tom Gay has dedicated more than five decades to building Georgia’s architectural future while preserving its historic past. As chairman of Gay Construction Company, Tom has shaped the landscape of Atlanta and beyond through award-winning commercial construction and historic preservation projects. Under his leadership since 1973, the company has grown into a leader in general contracting and construction management.

Throughout his career, Tom has shared this journey with his wife, Sandy, whose support and partnership have been central to his life and work. Together, they have been steadfast advocates for the betterment of their community, contributing not only through construction but through service and philanthropy. Sandy has been a presence behind their shared dedication to historic preservation in Georgia.

Tom’s commitment to preserving Georgia’s architectural heritage is perhaps best seen in projects like the adaptive reuse of Ponce City Market and First Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, examples of how historic structures can be reimagined for modern use. These and other projects have earned Gay Construction recognition from Build Georgia, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation for excellence in sustainability and preservation.

A proud graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology and Georgia State University, Tom also gives back through his service on the Georgia Tech Foundation Board of Trustees and the Atlanta Area Council Advisory Board for the Boy Scouts of America. Alongside Sandy, he established the L. Thomas Gay Georgia Tech Promise Endowment, helping provide scholarships to deserving Georgia Tech students and ensuring the next generation has the opportunity to build meaningful futures.

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Old-World Charm Meets Modern Elegance

The 41st annual Preservation Gala will take place at Greystone in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park. The exquisite venue was originally built in 1926 as a bathhouse for swimmers in Lake Clara Meer. Named for its distinctive granite walls, the building stood as a beloved community landmark for decades. Rehabilitated in 2009 by the Piedmont Park Conservancy in partnership with Gay Construction, the $41.2 million project created a 9,000-square-foot LEED-certified event venue and the Piedmont Park Aquatic Center. Today, Greystone offers sweeping views of the pool, Lake Clara Meer, and the Midtown Atlanta skyline, blending historic integrity with contemporary elegance. Featuring sustainable landscaping and rain gardens, the project was honored with The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Chairman’s Award and stands as a model of adaptive reuse and thoughtful design.

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