Building Roots Around the World

Trust. Relationships. Intentionality.

These principles have guided EllisDon’s growth for more than seven decades and continue to shape how the company expands into new markets around the world.

At the heart of EllisDon’s evolution is a belief that sustainable growth starts locally: building strong relationships, understanding communities, and approaching every new market with purpose and care. It’s an approach grounded in people; our teams, our partners, and the communities where we work.

Building Communities Across Canada

Founded in 1951 in London, Ontario, EllisDon built its early success by embedding itself deeply in the communities it set out to serve. That people‑first mindset enabled the company’s coast‑to‑coast growth, with teams and offices established across British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada.

EllisDon is part of some of the country’s most iconic projects across key sectors, including Halifax’s Nova Centre, Toronto’s SkyDome, Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium, and Vancouver’s Freedom Mobile Arch.

Moreover, our work hasn’t been limited to major urban centres. Teams also delivered in some of Canada’s most demanding and remote environments, on projects like Keeyask along the Nelson River in Manitoba, the Canadian High Arctic Research Station in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, and through ongoing work at 4 Wing Cold Lake in Northern Alberta.

Each project reflected more than technical expertise. They demonstrated a long‑term commitment to growing locally, building trust, and contributing meaningfully to the places where EllisDon operates.

Proving What’s Possible Beyond Borders

Long before establishing permanent international operations, EllisDon was already delivering projects globally. Over the past 75 years, the company has delivered projects across 19 countries, including projects such as Canary Wharf in London, United Kingdom, the Hellinikon Olympic Basketball Arena in Athens, Greece, and North Tower Atrio in Bogotá, Colombia.

Each project required entering a new market without an established playbook—building relationships, navigating unfamiliar regulatory environments, and earning trust with clients and local partners. Over time, these projects demonstrated the company’s ability to deliver in complex environments, where adaptability is as important as technical expertise.

This track record enabled a transition from project-based work to long-term international investment.

Global Growth, by Design

EllisDon’s global expansion has been defined by deliberate, project-led growth, resulting in established operations in the United States, Ireland, and across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

In MENA, early work, such as the Palm Golden Mile, created a foothold that has expanded into a significant regional presence. Today, the portfolio includes complex, high-profile projects, such as the Cleveland Clinic Oncology Centre, teamLab Phenomena, and Diriyah North District, reflecting a progression from individual assignments to large-scale program delivery.

“Our success in new markets has always started with people,” says Wissam Ayoub, Senior Vice President, Middle East & North Africa, EllisDon. “When you invest in local teams, listen to the communities you’re working in, and build relationships grounded in trust, everything else follows.”

In the United States, initial construction projects—including the South Carolina Aquarium and the Miami Federal Courthouse—laid the groundwork for larger infrastructure programs. This included the Prince George’s County Public Schools bundle in Maryland, where EllisDon expanded beyond construction to play a broader role in delivering complex infrastructure projects. Continued growth in this market led to the opening of a Texas office in 2025, supported by a strong pipeline of work.

In Ireland, expansion followed a different model. EllisDon Facilities Services entered the market in 2026 through a long-term contract to operate and maintain primary care centres, supported by the acquisition of local teams. This approach established an immediate operational presence, with a focus on performance, continuity, and long-term partnerships.

Built to Last

Across Canada and internationally, EllisDon’s approach has remained consistent: grow with intention, invest in people, and build relationships that endure. These principles have enabled the company to enter new markets confidently while staying rooted in the values that have defined it since 1951.

Our people are proof. Their expertise, cultural understanding, and commitment to partnership bring EllisDon’s strategy to life: creating lasting relationships, meaningful impact, and the resilience required to succeed in the world’s most complex environments.