EllisDon

File:YorkUniversitySubwayConstruction4-DLighting.jpg]]

In 1951, EllisDon was launched by brothers Don and David Ellis Smith as a local contractor in London, Ontario.{{cn|date=March 2025}}

Between 1956 and 1968, EllisDon computerized its accounting and cost control systems, and operated a purchased tower crane – the first construction company in Canada to do both.{{cite web |title=Our History |url=http://www.ellisdon.com/our-history |website=EllisDon |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140922011236/http://www.ellisdon.com/our-history |archivedate=2014-09-22 }} In 1971, EllisDon launched a Corporate Safety Strategy to improve job site safety.{{cite web|title=EllisDon|url= http://www.buildingandconstruction-canada.com/index.php/sections/profiles/223-ellisdon60 |website=Building and Construction Canada}}

Between 1974 and 1976, the company expanded, establishing operations in Edmonton, Alberta and in Saudi Arabia.{{cite web|title=Our Locations|url=http://www.ellisdon.com/our-locations|website=EllisDon|access-date=2014-08-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626013333/http://www.ellisdon.com/our-locations|archive-date=2014-06-26|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Making a Permanent Home in the Middle East|url=http://www.ellisdon.com/middle-east|website=EllisDon|access-date=2014-08-26|archive-date=2014-08-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827065350/http://www.ellisdon.com/middle-east|url-status=dead}} Since then EllisDon has expanded its current operations to its offices around the world.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ellisdon.com/offices/|title=EllisDon - Offices|website=www.ellisdon.com|access-date=2018-06-04}}

Once EllisDon was awarded the Construction Management Contract for the Metro Toronto Convention Centre project in 1982, it moved on to build the SkyDome (renamed Rogers Centre in 2005).{{cite web|title=Donald J. ("Bus") Smith Obituary|url= http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestar/obituary.aspx?pid=165888228 |website=Legacy}} This project was completed in 1989, and was the world's first retractable rooftop stadium.{{cite web|title=Rogers Center History|url=http://www.rogerscentre.com/about/history.jsp|website=Rogers Center|access-date=2014-08-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625061415/http://www.rogerscentre.com/about/history.jsp|archive-date=2014-06-25|url-status=dead}}

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.{{cite web|title=EllisDon Industrial Services Inc. |url=http://www.kitimatchamber.ca/content/ellisdon-industrial-services-inc |website=Kitimat Chamber of Commerce |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827042459/http://www.kitimatchamber.ca/content/ellisdon-industrial-services-inc |archivedate=August 27, 2014 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/CareerConnectionNews/031008_ont_at_work3.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140826185043/http://www.canoe.ca/CareerConnectionNews/031008_ont_at_work3.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=August 26, 2014|title=Building on solid foundations|last1=White|first1=Linda|website=Career Connection}} 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.{{cite web|last1=Maldonado|first1=Melinda|title=Ellis-Don founder Don Smith dead at 89|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/07/16/ellisdon_founder_don_smith_dead_at_89.html|website=Toronto Star|date=16 July 2013 }}

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.

EllisDon delivered Toronto's MaRS (Medical and Related Services) Convergence Centre (Building B) in 2005.{{cite web|title=The MaRS Discovery District|url=http://www.acoustical-consultants.com/portfolio/mars-discovery-district-toronto-acoustical-engineering/|website=HGC Engineering}}

In 2008, EllisDon completed construction and installation work in the Dubai Waterfront, the largest waterfront development of its kind in the world.{{cite web|title=Sr. Planning Engineer, EllisDon Construction Inc., Dubai, U.A.E., Badrah Development, Dubai Waterfront |url= http://www.planningplanet.com/users/8106-ibad-ghani/view/experience/496489|website=Planning Planet}}

In 2010, EllisDon completed Winnipeg International Airport Terminal Building, Canada's first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified airport terminal.{{cite web|last1=Jones|first1=Kathryn|title=Winnipeg Airport Authority|url=http://www.buildingandconstruction-canada.com/index.php/sections/power-a-infrastructure/160-winnipeg-airport-authority|website=Building & Construction}}

In June 2016, EllisDon launched The Carbon Impact Initiative Action Plan[https://www.ontario.ca/page/climate-change-action-plan The Carbon Impact Initiative Action Plan] in support of Canada's international climate change commitments. Industry executives, in collaboration with government leaders, established the initiative outlining strategies to transform the market toward a low-carbon economy.{{Cite news|url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/carbon-impact-initiative-industry-led-action-plan-change-bowerbank/|title=The Carbon Impact Initiative: an industry-led action plan in response to Canada's International climate change commitments.|date=2016-05-21|access-date=2018-06-04|language=en}} Mohawk College's Joyce Centre for Partnership and Innovation Building[https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/donors-and-supporters/mohawk-momentum-our-causes/joyce-centre-for-partnership-innovation Mohawk College’s Joyce Centre for Partnership and Innovation Building] is Ontario's first net-zero institutional building as well as the first pilot project under the Carbon Impact Initiative.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mohawknewsdesk.ca/centre-for-partnership--innovation/|title=The Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation|access-date=2018-06-04|language=en-us}}

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.{{cite news|title=EllisDon announces purchase of Carillion health care assets|url=https://canada.constructconnect.com/dcn/news/economic/2018/03/ellisdon-announces-purchase-carillion-health-care-assets|access-date=1 March 2018|work=Daily Commercial News|date=1 March 2018}}

In June 2023, Geoff Smith was succeeded as President and CEO by Kieran Hawe, previously COO. {{cite web | url=https://canada.constructconnect.com/dcn/news/economic/2023/06/hawe-assumes-ceo-role-with-ellisdon | title=Hawe assumes CEO role with EllisDon | date=7 June 2023 }} Geoff Smith remains Executive Chair of the Board of Directors.

EllisDon began the demolition and revitalization of Ontario Place in 2024.https://canada.constructconnect.com/dcn/news/projects/2024/01/ontario-place-update-ellisdon-performs-site-servicing-work-wzmh-to-design-new-science-centrehttps://www.merx.com/ellisdoncorporation./solicitations/Ontario-Place-Site-Servicing-Renewal-Project-Trailer-Complex/0000248186

File:Halifax central library June 2015.jpg, completed 2014]]

Alternative energy

• Alberta Children's Hospital - Calgary, Alberta{{cite web|title= Alberta Children's Hospital sets a new standard in family-centered care |url= http://hospitalnews.com/alberta-childrens-hospital-sets-a-new-standard-in-family-centered-care/ |website=Canada's Healthcare Newspaper}}
• Toronto South Detention Centre - Toronto, Ontario{{cite web|last=Petersen|first=Chris|title=EllisDon - Toronto South Detention Centre |url= http://www.buildingandconstruction-canada.com/index.php/sections/community/495-ellisdon-toronto-south-detention-centre|website=Building & Construction}}

Civil and transportation

• Highway 7 East Rapidway (H3) - Vivanext - York Region, Ontario{{cite web|url= http://www.ellisdon.com/vivanext-highway-7-east-rapidway-h3|title=Highway 7 East Rapidway (H3)|website=EllisDon|access-date=2014-08-26|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140709102954/http://www.ellisdon.com/vivanext-highway-7-east-rapidway-h3|archive-date=2014-07-09|url-status=dead}}
• Ottawa Light Rail Transit (LRT) Confederation Line - Ottawa, Ontario{{cite web|title=Confederation Line LRT Named Top PPP Deal of the Year by Project Finance Magazine |url=http://www.snclavalin.com/2014-04-11_confederation-line-lrt-named-top-ppp-deal-of-the-year-by-project-finance-magazine.php?lang=en |website=SNC Lavalin |url-status=dead |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20140903021719/http://www.snclavalin.com/2014-04-11_confederation-line-lrt-named-top-ppp-deal-of-the-year-by-project-finance-magazine.php?lang=en |archivedate=September 3, 2014 }}
• Union Station improvements - Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) - Toronto, Ontario{{cite web|title=Union Subway Station: Second Platform and Concourse Improvements|url= http://urbantoronto.ca/database/projects/union-subway-station-second-platform-and-concourse-improvements|website=Urban Toronto}}

Commercial office/retail

• Brentwood Town Centre redevelopment - Burnaby, B.C.{{cite web|title=Brentwood Town Centre|url= http://www.tboake.com/steel/brentwoodmall.html |website=Tboake |date=25 September 2005 |access-date=24 August 2019}}
• Yorkdale Shopping Centre - Toronto, Ontario{{cite web|last=Petersen|first=Chris|title=EllisDon - Yorkdale Shopping Centre|url=http://www.buildingandconstruction-canada.com/index.php/featured-content/499-ellisdon-yorkdale-shopping-centre|website=Building & Construction}}

Culture and recreation

• Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport - Toronto, Ontario{{cite web|title=Ontario Wind Turbine Noise ReportOne Bloor East goldring-centre-sport-centre noise-control vibration control toronto ontario Goldring Centre for High Performance|url=http://www.acoustical-consultants.com/portfolio/goldring-centre-for-high-performance-sport-noise-vibration-toronto/|website=HGC Engineering}}
• Halifax Central Library - Halifax, Nova Scotia{{cite web|last=Harris|first=Jim|title=EllisDon|url=http://www.buildingandconstruction-canada.com/index.php/sections/community/201-ellisdon|website=Building & Construction}}
• Rogers Centre (formerly Skydome) - Toronto, Ontario{{cite web|last=Misener|first=Kevin|title=Rogers Centre opened as 'Skydome' 25 years ago today|url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2014/06/03/rogers-centre-opened-as-skydome-25-years-ago-today/|website=City News}}
• Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan{{cite web|last=Davidson|first=Staci|title=EllisDon – Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan|url=http://www.buildingandconstruction-canada.com/index.php/featured-content/594-ellisdon-remai-art-gallery-of-saskatchewan|website=Building & Construction}}

Education

• Nova Scotia Community College, Centre for the Built Environment - Dartmouth, Nova Scotia{{cite web|title=NSCC's Centre for the Built Environment|url=http://www.atlanticgreenbuilding.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47:centre-for-the-built-environment&catid=57:individual-case-studies&Itemid=131|website=Atlantic Green Building|access-date=2014-08-26|archive-date=2014-08-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827082837/http://www.atlanticgreenbuilding.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47:centre-for-the-built-environment&catid=57:individual-case-studies&Itemid=131|url-status=dead}}
• Western University, Richard Ivey School of Business - London, Ontario{{cite web|title=EllisDon chosen as construction manager for $100-million Ivey building |url=http://www.ivey.uwo.ca/media/2009/Press/090713.htm |website=Richard Ivey School of Business |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117020046/http://www.ivey.uwo.ca/media/2009/Press/090713.htm |archivedate=November 17, 2011 }}

Healthcare and research

• Alberta Children's Hospital - Calgary, Alberta{{cite web|title= Alberta Children's Hospital sets a new standard in family-centered care |url= http://hospitalnews.com/alberta-childrens-hospital-sets-a-new-standard-in-family-centered-care/|website=Canada's Healthcare Newspaper}}
• Surrey Memorial Hospital - Surrey, B.C.{{cite web|last=Toyoda|first=Lina|title=Surrey Memorial Hospital launches campaign to build new tower|url=https://theprovince.com/Surrey+Memorial+Hospital+launches+campaign+build+tower/5631119/story.html|website=The Province|access-date=2019-01-27|archive-date=2018-08-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810042208/http://www.theprovince.com/surrey+memorial+hospital+launches+campaign+build+tower/5631119/story.html|url-status=dead}}

Industrial and automotive

• American Motors Brampton Assembly Plant - Brampton, Ontario (1987){{cite web|url= http://www.ellisdon.com/ed/projects/view/?id=3088665 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080917055828/http://www.ellisdon.com/ed/projects/view/?id=3088665 |title=Chrysler Corporation Assembly Plant AMC |work=EllisDon |archivedate=17 September 2008 |access-date=9 May 2017}}

Public and government

• Hamilton City Hall renovations - Hamilton, Ontario{{cite web|title=Hamilton City Hall|url=http://msarch.ca/projects/17|website=McCallum Sather Architecture|access-date=2014-08-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827084207/http://msarch.ca/projects/17|archive-date=2014-08-27|url-status=dead}}
• Parliament Hill, West Block demolition and abatement - Ottawa, Ontario{{cite web|title=Rehabilitation of the Sir John A. Macdonald Building|url=http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/collineduparlement-parliamenthill/batir-building/mod-sjam-eng.html|website=Public Works and Government Services Canada|access-date=2014-08-26|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140805213914/http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/collineduparlement-parliamenthill/batir-building/mod-sjam-eng.html|archive-date=2014-08-05|url-status=dead}}

Residential and hospitality

• Hyatt Regency Toronto{{Cite web |title=ACO Toronto - Hyatt on King West |url=https://www.acotoronto.ca/building.php?ID=939 |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=www.acotoronto.ca}}

• 2018 Renew Canada's Top 100 Infrastructure Projects.{{Cite web|url=https://top100projects.ca/2018filters/|title=Project List 2018 {{!}} Top100 Projects|website=top100projects.ca|language=en-US|access-date=2018-06-04|archive-date=2018-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502153922/https://top100projects.ca/2018filters/|url-status=dead}} Achieved Platinum Status.{{Cite web|url=https://top100projects.ca/ranking/?yr=2018&kpid=92|title=Project List {{!}} Top100 Projects|website=top100projects.ca|language=en-US|access-date=2018-06-04|archive-date=2018-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904112709/https://top100projects.ca/ranking/?yr=2018&kpid=92|url-status=dead}}
• 2018 Mediacorp's Top 100 Employers{{Cite web|url=http://www.canadastop100.com/national/|title=Canada's Top 100 Employers (2018)|last=Employers|first=Canada's Top 100|website=www.canadastop100.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-06-04}} (8th consecutive year).{{Cite web|url=https://content.eluta.ca/top-employer-ellisdon|title=Top Employer: EllisDon Corporation|website=content.eluta.ca|access-date=2018-06-04}}
• 2017 Mediacorp Canada's Greenest Employers{{Cite web|url=https://content.eluta.ca/top-employer-ellisdon#green|title=Top Employer: EllisDon Corporation|website=content.eluta.ca|access-date=2018-06-04}}
• 2017 Deloitte 50 Best Managed Companies{{Cite web|url=https://www2.deloitte.com/ca/en/pages/canadas-best-managed-companies/articles/meet-our-winners.html|title=Meet our winners {{!}} Canada's Best Managed Companies {{!}} Deloitte Canada|website=Deloitte Canada|language=en|access-date=2018-06-04}}
• 2016 Canada's Safest Employer{{Cite news|url=http://www.cos-mag.com/safety-leadership-culture/31527-announcing-the-2016-canadas-safest-employers/|title=Announcing the 2016 Canada's Safest Employers {{!}} Canadian Occupational Safety|access-date=2018-06-04|language=en}}
• 2016 Financial Post{{'}}s Ten Best Companies To Work For{{Cite web|url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/ellisdon-selected-as-one-of-ten-best-companies-to-work-for-516620351.html|title=EllisDon Selected as One of Ten Best Companies to Work For|website=www.newswire.ca|language=en|access-date=2018-06-04}}

{{Reflist|2}}

• {{official|https://www.ellisdon.com/}}
• [https://www.thestar.com/specialsections/bestemployers/article/1091483--building-on-a-foundation-of-entrepreneurship Building on a foundation of entrepreneurship] at the Toronto Star

Category:Companies based in Mississauga

Category:Construction and civil engineering companies of Canada

Category:Privately held companies of Canada

Category:Employee-owned companies of Canada

Category:1951 establishments in Ontario

Category:Construction and civil engineering companies established in 1951

Category:Canadian companies established in 1951