About Us

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. 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. 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. 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.