Local real estate firm Centron still dreaming big after 40 years

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Forty years in business is an achievement, 40 years of continued success is worth a big celebration, but 40 years when dreams have been achieved and significant contributions made to the welfare of others deserves lots of applause.

Proud to have been born and raised in Herschel, Sask., Bob Harris came to Calgary and joined Ben Steblecki at Charter Construction. After 14 years serving as vice-president and general manger Harris started his own company in 1984 — Centron Real Estate Development and Construction.

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It’s been a great ride and today the company is a leading Western Canada developer and builder, recognized as one with the highest of reputations throughout the industry.

At its core, Centron is still a family business that cares about this community and values friends and colleagues. Bob Harris is CEO and son Cole is president and COO — together they lead a team of like-minded staff who have helped the company to be successful enough to provide invaluable gifts to local not-for-profit organizations with their facilities requirements. The list is long that Centron Cares has helped — organizations such as Accessible Housing, RESOLVE, Hull Services, Event Start, Mustard Seed and Foothills Academy.

“It’s not something we do, it’s who we are,” Bob says.

At the same time, the Harrises have been being responsible for some 20,000 residential units, lots and hotel rooms that are completed and under development, and building and leasing more than two million square feet of office and three million square feet of industrial.

Today, Centron has a huge number of projects on the drawing boards being built by David LeMay, president of Centron Construction Group, and his crews.

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Clearwater Park is a 600-acre development on the east side of Chestermere guided by senior vice-president of land Jason Palacsko. The 100-foot-tall, red-and-white banded lighthouse is up, alongside what will be a water-feature pathway. At build-out, it will house 4,000 residences, including a seniors campus, while 200,000 square feet of commercial/retail, and 1.2 million square feet of big industrial suitable for warehousing/logistics are being built on spec.

Three shopping centres are planned. In the first phase of 200 acres, leases are signed for an anchor grocery store, service station and daycare. Four of the province’s best homebuilders — Calbridge, Cardell, Genesis and Akash — are already busy with the construction of single and multi-family residences.

Although Centron’s developments range as far as Fort McMurray, where its Eagle Ridge provided 3,700 much-needed residential units, it has been most visible in Calgary’s downtown. PrimeWest Plaza, Vintage Towers and Centre 10 are fine examples of the quality of its work, but the current dream becoming a reality is The Oliver, a massive two-tower mixed-use development between 4th and 5th streets on 10th Avenue S.W.

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The 31-storey east tower is full of activity and its 412 suites are fully leased. Adjacent and connected, the 35-story west tower is almost ready to accept tenants of its 451 units, which include large penthouse suites and Madison Avenue luxury suites on the second floor ranging in size from 1,500 to 3,000 square feet.

It will feature a lobby bar, but the popular cluster of Italian eateries — managed by long-term partner Lance Hurtubise of the Vintage Group — are in the east tower where Luca has quickly become a favourite with fine diners. Currently under construction is an even more luxurious dining room, appropriately named Gatsbys.

Gatsbys promises a 1,500-square-foot, intimate setting for just 44 guests, with its own Michelin-star executive chef and exclusive wine list.

Forty years ago, Bob Harris dreamed big. The result is a company that acquires land, develops, constructs, project manages and leases its properties, and has been outstandingly beneficial for Calgary.

Notes:

University Innovation Quarter (UIQ), a district under revitalization that will complement research and business activities at the University of Calgary, encompassing 70 acres immediately north of the main campus, is now a member of The Global Institute on Innovation Districts. The membership connects UIQ with innovation districts worldwide, facilitating the exchange of insights and ideas helping expand its network and attract new development to Calgary.

David Parker appears regularly in the Herald. Read his columns online at calgaryherald.com/business. He can be reached at 403-830-4622.

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