# EllisDon

EllisDon is an employee-owned global construction services and technology company dedicated to redefining the construction industry. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and fostering inclusive growth, EllisDon is delivering the future of construction by empowering people to push beyond traditional construction boundaries. With thousands of salaried and hourly employees across seventeen national and international offices, EllisDon has become a leader in every sector and nearly every facet of the construction industry.
EllisDon doesn’t have a vision or mission statement, just values that steer the company forward. EllisDon is guided by their core values and principles: Complete Openness, Integrity and Mutual Respect, Trust and Freedom, Mutual Accountability, and Entrepreneurial Enthusiasm. These values are the foundation of their corporate culture and approach to business.

## History
### Founding

EllisDon was founded and incorporated in 1951 in London, Ontario, Canada, by brothers Don and David Ellis Smith. Northdale Public Elementary School in London was a noteable first hometown project.

### 1951–1989

In 1956 EllisDon was the first Canadian construction company to purchase and operate a tower crane in Canada.
In 1971, EllisDon launched their Corporate Safety Strategy, one of the first construction companies to do so. The strategy was developed to improve job site safety, eliminate injuries and to protect and maintain the well-being of all employees and people working within an EllisDon site.
Between 1974 and 1976, the company expanded, establishing operations in Edmonton, Alberta and in Saudi Arabia. Since then EllisDon has expanded its current operations to its offices across Canada, the United States, the Middle East and North Africa.
In 1982 EllisDon was awarded the construction management contract for the Metro Toronto Convention Centre project. Later in 1989, EllisDon completed the world's first retractable roof stadium also known as the SkyDome (renamed Rogers Centre in 2005), and home to the Toronto Blue Jays. The roof is made up of three moveable panels and one stationary and was the first of its kind upon completion.

### 1990–2003

In 1990, EllisDon established the construction industry's first freestanding Research and Development Department. Following that, EllisDon in 1993 became the first Canadian company to build in Latvia and Lithuania following the removal of the Iron Curtain in the USSR. In 1997, EllisDon completed its first project in Malaysia.
In 1996, Don Smith's son, Geoff Smith – who joined the company as a full-time employee in 1982 – became EllisDon's president and CEO.

### 2004–2022

In 2004, EllisDon participated in a new hospital funding model, a public-private partnership (PPP) with the $450 million William Osler Health Centre in Brampton, Ontario. Public-Private Partnerships are large and complex projects that involve if not all, most of the construction services EllisDon offers, in order to execute seamlessly. EllisDon is one of the largest construction companies to take on public infrastructure projects with a robust portfolio to back them up. From design, to building, financing and maintenance these builds demand a lot of attention. A notable public-private partnership includes the Ontario Court of Justice, Toronto Courthouse.
Wanting to expand it's international borders in 2004, EllisDon opens offices in the Middle East, headquartered in Dubai.
In 2008, EllisDon completed construction and installation work in the Dubai Waterfront, the largest waterfront development of its kind in the world.
In 2015, EllisDon completed the International Facilities Project (IFP), Terminal Expansion at Calgary International Airport. The IFP also marked a significant milestone, making YYC Canada's first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified airport terminal.
Built by a consortium led by EllisDon and Infrastructure Ontario, the Pan Am Athlete’s Village was home to over 10,000 athletes and officials from 41 countries during the 2015 Pan/Para Pan Am Games. Since the games the village is now known as the Canary District in Toronto, featuring residential condominiums and health and wellness focused retail and George Brown College’s first student residence.
In 2016 EllisDon was responsible for constructing the BioSteele Centre (now known as the OVO Centre). A two-storey, 68,000 square foot state-of-the-art training facility located on the Exhibition Place grounds.
In 2016, EllisDon was named Canada’s Safest Employer. The Safest Employer Award is presented by Canadian Occupational Safety in partnership with Workplace Safety and Prevention Services and encompasses 10 industry-specific categories. EllisDon was the Gold recipient in the Building and Construction category.
In partnership with the Toronto Transit Commission, EllisDon completed the TTC- York University Subway Station project in 2017, including the construction of six new stations along an 8.6km alignment that would serve over 40,000 commuters.
In March 2018, EllisDon acquired the interests of joint venture partner Carillion (in liquidation in the UK) in four Ontario hospital projects, becoming the sole service provider at Royal Ottawa Hospital, Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, Brampton Civic Hospital and Sault Area Hospital. This transaction secured EllisDon the position as the second largest facilities services provider for healthcare in Canada.
In 2019, EllisDon completed the Talbot Dams Rehabilitation Project to replace and rehabilitate the locks and dams located on the Talbot River.
In March of 2020 EllisDon made the shift to become entirely employee owned. The Smith family who previously held 50% ownership, signed-off on an agreement that ensures over time, EllisDon will be entirely employ owned.
The Keeyask Hydroelectric Generating Station was completed in 2021 on the Nelson River in Northern Manitoba. Once completed the powerhouse’s seven units were said to be capable of producing enough electricity to supply about 400,000 homes.
In 2021, EllisDon Community Builders was launched to provide innovative, sustainable and affordable housing developments.
In an effort to address vital environmental, social and governance matters in 2022, EllisDon published its inaugural Impact Report. The report includes detailed information about health and safety commitments, Indigenous relations, updates about EllisDon’s people and culture and overall company wins for that year. This report will be published annually. See the 2024 report here.

### 2023 - present

In June 2023, Geoff Smith was succeeded as President and CEO by Kieran Hawe, previously COO. Geoff Smith remains Executive Chair of the Board of Directors, which currently has 11 members including: Gerald Slemko (Deputy Chair), Jim Carter, Melissa Chee, Gina Cody, Vince Davoli, Saad Rafi, Michael Smith, George Schott and Dianne L. Watts.
In 2023, EllisDon completed The Well (buildings F & G), a notable Toronto development located at Front Street and Spadina, housing a variety of retail, restaurants, high-rise condominiums, residential rental buildings, and a commercial office tower.
In late 2024, EllisDon – alongside the City of North Bay - broke ground in 2024 on new North Bay Recreation and Community Centre slated to be completed in summer of 2026.

## Noteworthy projects

| Project | Description |
| YYZ Toronto Pearson International Airport, Terminal 3 Enhancement Program – Toronto, Ontario | EllisDon completed the Main Terminal 3 Modifications Project in 2017. The project included the reconfiguration of the US Customs and Border Protection Agency (US CBP) area on the Departures Level; the expansion of the existing bag claim area on the Arrivals Level; the reconfiguration and expansion of the Departures Level passenger check-in and pre-board screening facilities; the reconfiguration and expansion of the Departures Level retail and food and beverage facilities and the relocation of the GTAA support and tenant areas, as required. |
| Halifax Central Library - Halifax, Nova Scotia | In 2014 EllisDon completed the Halifax Central Library, a six-level building consisting of one level of below grade parking, a five-level reinforced concrete open atrium structure, cladding almost entirely of glass, a green roof, greywater recycling and central services heating. EllisDon oversaw all aspects of pre, during and post construction. |
| University of Calgary, EEEL Building - Calgary, Alberta | EllisDon completed the five-story 250,000 square foot EEL building at the University of Calgary in 2013. Referred to “Science on Display” the building includes fully glazed labs and classrooms and many room have the flexibility to transform into multidisciplinary labs or hands-on learning environments. |
| Surrey Memorial Hospital - Surrey, B.C. | The Integrated Team Solutions consortium, led by EllisDon Corporation, included Fengate Capital Management Ltd.,and Honeywell Building Solutions, in partnership with Fraser Health Authority. EllisDon provided all design and construction services for the Surrey Memorial Hospital. Built in two components was the new Emergency Department completed in 2013 and the Critical Care Tower completed in 2014. |
| Hamilton City Hall renovations - Hamilton, Ontario | Hamilton City Hall was originally built in the 1950s. Completed in 2010, EllisDon, alongside Black and McDonald as part of the ABE joint venture, completed the Hamilton City Hall, renovations project. The 170,000 square foot project consisted of an eight-storey building renovation, ancillary parking facility and surrounding forecourt area with major heritage elements incorporated into the interior and exterior. |
| Windjammer Landing Beach Resort - St. Lucia | In 1996 EllisDon provided construction management services for certain phases of the design and construction of the five star Windjammer Landing Resort after it was damaged by a tropical storm. Having much success on the first round of construction, EllisDon was again awarded the contract to redevelop and expand the resort in 2007. The scope of work, was divided into three phases, including the reconstruction of six villas, twelve deluxe two-bedroom suites, and two exclusive one-bedroom villas, this was a challenge for EllisDon as most work was done while the resort was fully operational. |
| Yorkdale Shopping Centre - Toronto, Ontario | In 2013, EllisDon completed the South West Expansion of Yorkdale Mall, located in Toronto, Ontario. The project entailed a 185,000 square foot expansion for 40 new retail stores as well as a 732 space parking structure. It involved close coordination and an aggressive schedule to complete the build successfully on budget and time. |
| OVO Athletic Centre - Toronto, Ontario | In 2016 EllisDon was responsible for constructing the BioSteel Centre (now known as the OVO Centre). A two-storey, 68,000 square foot state-of-the-art training facility located on the Exhibition Place grounds. |
| Ritz Carlton Residential Tower - Toronto, Ontario | In 2011 the Ritz Carlton hotel and residences was completed by EllisDon. The 990,000 square foot facility features a five-star hotel with 267 rooms and 153 condominium residences. The building has three main components: the tower rises out of a five-level podium, floors six to twenty contain luxuriously appointed rooms and facilities for hotel guests, and floors 22 to 53 of the tower contain condominium residences with a private lobby and an amenity centre. |
| Ottawa Light Rail Transit (LRT) Confederation Line - Ottawa, Ontario | In 2018 EllisDon completed Ottawa’s Light Rail Transit, a public-private partnership between the City of Ottawa and the Rideau Transit Group, that includes EllisDon Capital Inc. and EllisDon Corporation, along with other consortium partners. EllisDon delivered a state-of-the-art LRT with a capacity of 24,000 riders per hour in each direction, including a congestion-solving 2.5 kilometre tunnel that rapidly moves riders across downtown, inclusive of 13 stations. |
| Union Station improvements - Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)- Toronto, Ontario | In 2015, under contract to the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), EllisDon constructed the Union Station Subway Platform and Concourse Improvements project to improve TTC and GO Transit passenger traffic. The subway platform was doubled in size to separate the Yonge and University Lines’ pedestrian traffic, as well as the introduction of a pedestrian corridor for GO Transit riders to bypass TTC’s paid area as well as several other improvements to the station. |
| Hydro One Integrated Systems Operations Center – Orillia, Ontario | Completed in 2021, EllisDon was involved in the construction of this two-storey greenfield utility grid control centre which featured three control rooms, office areas and infrastructure space. |
| Equinix - TR2 Data Centre – Toronto, Ontario | EllisDon completed the TR2 Data Centre in 2022. A 16,500 square foot colocation data hall, cooled with six CRAH units and a cooling toward to allow for high-density cooling. |
| Ericsson – ICT Global Data Center – Vandreiul-Dorion, Québec | In 2015 EllisDon completed the construction of an enterprise data centre for Ericsson, the company’s first location outside of Sweden. The project included building core and shell construction, build-out of computer rooms with 11 MW of critical, redundant power, and an administration and support building. |

## Recognition

* 2025 Geoff Smith Honoured with Toronto Region Builder Award
* 2024 Renew Canada's Top 100 Infrastructure Projects. Achieved Platinum Status
* 2024 On-Site Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 List, EllisDon secures three spots
* EllisDon Wins Two CCPPP 2024 National Awards for Innovation and Excellence in P3s
* 2023 5-Star Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employers Award- Canadian HR Reporter
* 2022 Building Transformation Innovation Spotlight Global Envoy Award Winner
* 2022 CCA Environmental achievement
* 2021 CEO Kieran Hawe is named Best Executive by The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business
* 2018 Renew Canada's Top 100 Infrastructure Projects. Achieved Platinum Status.
* 2018 Mediacorp's Top 100 Employers (8th consecutive year).
* 2017 Mediacorp Canada's Greenest Employers
* 2017 Deloitte 50 Best Managed Companies
* 2016 Canada's Safest Employer
* 2016 Financial Post's Ten Best Companies To Work For