McHale Landscape Design, one of the region’s most award-winning, longstanding residential landscape architecture and design-build firms, celebrates its 40th anniversary this month. Founders Kevin and Steve McHale reflect on four decades of the family business and look ahead to the future of the firm and its next generation of leaders.
“We could not reflect back on 40 years in business without recognizing the hard work and dedication of our employees who, together with Steve and I, have created a culture of teamwork and lasting client relationships,” said Kevin McHale. “We take pride in providing our team with opportunities to try new things, gain progressive knowledge and assume new roles—all while collaborating on extraordinary landscape designs for some of the most scenic properties on the East Coast.”
40 years of evolution
The McHale brothers’ passion for the landscape industry began while mowing lawns when they were 12 years old. Learning the value of hard work and financial accountability from their parents, and while still attending college at West Virginia University, Kevin and Steve began the business in 1981. The two leveraged a remote model before it was common—Steve worked on the designs from school while Kevin launched and ran the business out of his home.
Four decades later, McHale runs five locations throughout the DC region: Upper Marlboro, Annapolis, McLean, Easton, and Clarksburg. The firm has completed over 400 award-winning landscapes across farms, estates, waterfront sanctuaries, and private homes, with the most memorable leveraging unparalleled horticultural expertise and exquisite masonry.
Distinguished by a full-service model and top talent
The McHale business model is unique from the typical residential design-build firm. From holding a significant amount of inventory at a private nursery to internal masonry and carpentry crews to five locations—the firm’s in-house offerings set McHale apart.
In addition to the business model, McHale’s talent differentiates the firm. Steve and Kevin are laser-focused on hiring and retaining some of the most talented, creative people in the industry. With 300 employees, McHale’s retention rate is strong. Twenty people have been employed for 20 years or more and an additional 25 have been with McHale for 15 years or more.
“We have been surrounded by amazingly talented clients and employees for the last 40 years—each allowing us to be as creative as we can be without concern for how to implement the design,” said Steve McHale. “We truly look forward to what the next four decades have in store for us.”
About McHale Landscape Design
McHale Landscape Design is exclusively a high-end residential landscape architecture design/build firm. Our team of professionals have decades of experience in landscape architecture, horticulture and field experience, enabling us to create remarkable gardens and living spaces. For more information, visit https://www.mchalelandscape.com/.
