Founding In 1951, EllisDon was launched by brothers Don and David Ellis Smith as a local contractor in
London, Ontario.
1951–1989 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. In 1971, EllisDon launched a Corporate Safety Strategy to improve job site safety. 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 around the world. 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). This project was completed in 1989, and was the world's first retractable rooftop stadium. In 1997, EllisDon completed its first project in
Malaysia.
2004–present 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. In 2008, EllisDon completed construction and installation work in the
Dubai Waterfront, the largest waterfront development of its kind in the world. In 2010, EllisDon completed
Winnipeg International Airport Terminal Building, Canada's first
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified airport terminal. In June 2016, EllisDon launched 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. 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. 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. 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. EllisDon began the demolition and revitalization of
Ontario Place in 2024. == Selected projects ==