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Broccolini Construction Inc.’s first project was a single-family dwelling built in Montreal in 1949 by the company’s founder, Donato Broccolini. The quality of the home’ construction spurred Broccolini to build additional houses until the company found itself building entire neighborhoods in Montreal.

In the 1970s, Broccolini Construction’ focus shifted to the commercial and institutional sectors, with the same level of quality implemented on area schools, hospitals and religious institutions. In the next two decades, the company continued its evolution, adding offices, retail outlets, manufacturing facilities and industrial complexes to its portfolio.

Today, Broccolini Construction remains family owned and is led by three of Broccolini’s sons: President John Broccolini and vice presidents Joseph Broccolini and Paul Broccolini. The company operates out of two locations - its Kirkland, Quebec, headquarters and a second office in Ottawa, Ontario - and performs general contracting, construction management and design/build services throughout Canada’s eastern provinces.

‘Best Selling Point’

Although Broccolini Construction has advanced throughout the years - with present contracts exceeding $100 million – one hing remains the same: the company’s unwavering commitment to quality construction and client satisfaction, Director of  Construction Nick Iwanowski says. “We believe the client is always right,” he notes.

“Some people have a bad impression of general contractors who look for the loopholes or look for the extras to take advantage of the client. Any past client will say we are a very accommodating general contractor. We’ll bend over backwards to help them out and get the project done in the most economical and timely fashion. The fact that we’ve been around for 60 years just goes to show you the nature in which we work and the mentality of the people here.”

Approximately 90 percent of Broccolini Construction’s business is from repeat clients, Iwanowski adds. “When we finish a project, we finish it on good terms with the client,” he says. “Our goal is to bring future clients to those past buildings, shake hands with the owner, present a potential new owner to the previous client and let them be a reference. We want our past clients to not only rave about the building, but about their experience with us throughout the construction. Introducing new owners to old clients is our best selling point.”

EDC Headquarters

In April, Broccolini Construction began work on the 18-story, 535,000-square-foot Export Development Canada (EDC) headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario. EDC is Canada’s export credit agency, providing trade finance and risk mitigation services to Canadian firms aspiring to compete globally. Through a competitive procurement process, the company was awarded a $100 million contract to design, develop and construct EDC’s head office, which will seek LEED gold certification upon its April 2012 completion.     

According to Broccolini Construction, the landmark building – situated at the corner of O’Connor and Slater streets – represents the largest office construction project in downtown Ottawa in more than two decades. “150 Slater Street will add depth and sophistication to the Ottawa skyline and raise the bar for future developments for many years to come,” the company states.    

“A recessed and set-back design up to the fifth floor will allow 150 Slater Street to interact with the urban landscape upon which it will sit. Composed of metal and glass curtainwall with full glazing, the exterior envelope maximizes the use of natural light, fostering a pleasant work environment.” 

So far, “Everything has been coming along very smoothly,” Iwanowski adds. “Because of the timing of the project and the availability of the trades, we are having many people show a lot of interest in working on the project.”

By Kathryn Jones

©Building & Construction Magazine 2009