STAFF WRITER
– The Ontario Construction Report Special Feature
Govan Brown applies its expertise as a full-service construction manager and general contractor to complex, time sensitive projects across Canada. Its expertise and skill working with high-end finishes and exacting specifications has made the company a strong partner for its high profile clients.
Founded in 1994 by Ralph Govan and John Brown, and joined by third owner, Jon Taylor, in 2003, the company is known for its construction management efficiency.
Headquartered in Toronto, Govan Brown also has offices in Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver
and Ottawa, from where 150 field and office staff have completed more than $1.5 billion in construction projects.
The company’s core work includes commercial, corporate, tenant and retail interior fit-ups.
Partner Phil Goodall manages the Ottawa office and says Govan Brown has developed expertise and a reputation for completing projects requiring high-end finishes with an impetus on maintaining budgets with confirmed schedule completion dates.
Completing high quality work within committed tight time frames the company’s clients require means Govan Brown must be able to “spin on a dime and partner with subtrades who can commit to providing the same,” Goodall says.
He says that means empowering staff to make decisions and to become part of the process.
Successfully completing projects on challenging and high traffic sites requires equal control, co-ordination and commitment.
Among the company’s recent and current projects:
Burovision Offices
During October Govan Brown completed a showroom for Ottawa’s newest Knoll and DIRTT (Do It Right This Time) distributor, Burovision. Located on Sparks St. in a high profile, congested and high traffic area, Goodall says the project provided logistical challenges from the start, including a requirement to move materials into the building
by crane.
“Burovision will showcase DIRTT and its custom moveable partitions and Knoll’s modern office systems in a setting of highend finishes with epoxy coated floors, abundant glazing and in a high traffic area that will capture the attention of passersby.”
SunLife Financial
Connected nationally to several financial institutions whose requirements for high-end finishes and luxurious spaces meld with Govan Brown’s expertise to deliver, Goodall says the company is also completing space for SunLife Financial at 333 Preston St.
Working to install high-end finishes within an occupied space in this class A building, Goodall says the project had to be organized into five phases so work areas could be sectioned off, allowing SunLife to conduct business as normal with staff and visiting clients moving about safely. “We had weekly meetings to bring together design and construction and client teams to update everyone on progress, and also changing safety requirements.”
Carleton University
Govan Brown also recently completed renovations to Carleton University’s athletics wing change rooms and washrooms.
Goodall says the active facility and large student population required work to be sectioned off and also that much of it be completed after hours to accommodate the occupant use and student traffic. Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Govan Brown has started work for high profile chartered accountants Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton at the company’s newest Ottawa office location at 116 Albert St.
Also an occupied space, Govan Brown will use careful co-ordination and planning through three phases to transform the existing space into beautiful offices filled with high-end finishes to meet the client’s requirements.
For more information, see www.govanbrown.com.
