The Best Retail Contractors in Toronto, Canada

Last updated on November 13th, 2024 at 07:41 am

In recent years, Canada has experienced an explosion of its luxury retail market, thanks to international high-end brands that have opened flagship stores across its major cities. Luxury brands like Chanel and Hermès, as well as premier Canadian company Holt Renfrew, are some of the many retail giants that have shaped the region’s booming commercial market.

To answer the growing demand for retail and commercial spaces, general contracting companies in the Greater Toronto Area have risen up to the challenge of delivering quality services, especially for this complex, high-value, and competitive market.

Below are the best retail contractors in Toronto. These companies have helped local and international companies represent their brands by delivering aesthetically and structurally sound commercial spaces that adhere to the clients’ strict corporate standards.  The firms included here are either based in the city or have completed multiple retail construction and renovation works in the area. The list considers the firm’s number of projects for the category, the quality and value of its work, the awards and commendations that it earned through the years, its industry affiliations, its principal’s background, and the reviews and testimonials that it received from its clients.

If you are thinking about doing a retail construction project, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.

Asanti Construction Inc

1490 Cunard, Laval, QC H7S 2B7

Known for its customer-centered business practices, efficient work organization, and comprehensive general contracting services, Asanti Construction is a prime builder for the biggest names in the retail and commercial market. The company was founded in 2005 in Montreal and has grown to cater to companies across Canada.

Construction, demolition, fit-up, and construction management are the firm’s primary services. Its main businesses come from retail and commercial giants, such as Dior, Calvin Klein, GAP, Banana Republic, Coach, Tommy Hilfiger, Old Navy, and world-renowned brands.

Supporting the three key partners of the company is the firm’s in-house team of engineers, managers, and consulting experts, who have helped the company establish an enduring reputation as a preferred contractor capable of adhering to the industry’s strictest standards.

BUILD IT By Design

10-1580 Trinity Dr., Mississauga, ON L5T 1L6

BUILD IT By Design introduces a construction approach that ensures the reduction of build times and costs while putting quality and client satisfaction at the top of its priorities. Many of the firm’s projects have been featured in different publications, including VV Magazine, DailyHive, and Retail Insider, among others.

The company was founded in 2008. Since then, it has partnered with leading retail and commercial businesses, such as Henry’s, Align Orthotics, and Glass Monocle.  The firm’s project for Thirty Six Knots, a high-end rug and furniture company, is one of its most unforgettable works. Aside from the modern retail space build-out, the project also involved the construction of a cafe inside the store.

To date, the firm has completed over 600 projects for its restaurant, medical, dental, retail, and other commercial clients. Its list of services includes general contracting, project management, millwork, integrated design, and consulting. With this scope of work, the company can help clients source the prime locations for their brands. The team also assembles and collaborates with project engineers and architects under one, comprehensive and quality-focused management team.

Dogwood Ltd.

Unit 2 – 1588 Finfar Crt. Mississauga, ON L5J 4K1

As a general contractor for a wide variety of clients, Dogwood Ltd. works on commercial, tenant improvement, and facility maintenance projects ranging in size or complexity. The firm was established in 2007 as an answer to the rising demand for a one-stop expert that has the experience and credibility to handle construction and maintenance work under the same roof.

Through the leadership and experience of its owner and founder, Jason Smith, the company has created lasting relationships with local and global partners from the commercial market. Some of its collaborations have involved global retail brands such as Apple, Starbucks, Urban KIDS, Suzy, Osh Kosh, and Mobile Klinik.

The firm is known for its background in innovation and sustainability. One of its unique offerings is a custom and client-focused approach to construction. This helps the company cater to the design, functional, and structural needs of its clients in terms of space, retail environment, and place of business. The company is currently based in Surrey and serves locations across Canada, including Calgary, Victoria, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Toronto.

GTA General Contractors

10-499 Edgeley Blvd., Concord, ON L4K 4H3

Established in 1991 by Dino Nafar as a small family-owned business, GTA General Contractors has grown to become one of the region’s biggest companies. Today, the firm offers a multi-solution, full-service, and custom general construction works for Ontario’s rising commercial and residential markets. The firm takes advantage of its vast networks, relationships, and resources to allow its clients to open their locations faster for less.

The firm’s projects on commercial construction and renovation can be found across the Greater Toronto Area. Its main services include design-build, commercial and industrial developments, and construction management.  The company also specializes in custom millwork services. The firm designs, manufactures, and installs custom cabinetry, restaurant fixtures, and other millwork options.

As a preferred general contractor for the commercial market, the firm’s ability to adhere to every project’s design and structural standard makes it a primary choice for renowned brands. For years, it has collaborated with owners, franchisors, franchisees, and subtrades, to complete mid-range to complex projects across the region. Fjällräven, for instance, is a Swedish outdoor equipment retail company that entrusted the firm with the construction of its flagship retail store in Toronto, its first location in the city.

Hawk General Contracting Inc.

10 Sunray St. Unit #1, Whitby, ON L1N 9B5

Hawk General Contracting’s impressive commercial portfolio seals its rank as one of the leading firms in the retail sector. For years, it has served several known brands across the region. Included in its list of clients are Hatley, Fido, West 49, Rogers, Lindt, and Tommy Gun’s stores. Some of these projects are repeat customers, who commend the firm’s experience and performance, especially when it comes to delivering projects on time and on budget.

Aside from its construction and renovation works, the firm also provides specialty maintenance services for commercial properties. These additional services, such as on-call repairs, touch-ups, and improvement services, allow it to serve a wider client pool, especially from customers that demand fast and accurate results.

The company was founded in 1992. Its principal, Chris Hawkins, has years of experience in the engineering and construction industry. Under his guidance, the firm is not only known as a leader in retail and commercial general contracting. It is also recognized as a strong supporter of worksite safety programs and advocacies.

Madesin General Contractors

1120 Eglinton Ave. East Mississauga, ON L4W 1K5

Over 40 years of services for the retail and commercial industry’s biggest brands summarize Madesin General Contractor’s premier reputation as a leading general contracting firm. Zara, Gap, Victoria’s Secret, Valentino, Zegna, Old Navy, Marciano, Guess, Club Monaco, and many more, make up the firm’s high-value portfolio. The firm’s awards and recognition from these projects highlight its ability to deliver quality, on-time results with zero deficiencies.

The firm is a full-scale provider offering a comprehensive package, from basic to complex general contracting and specialized custom millwork. As an international company that specializes in the retail market, it has served brands across Canada, North and South America, Alaska, and the Caribbean.

To date, the company has completed over 2,500 projects for its retail, fast food, and specialty stores services. One of its most successful projects was the Jillian’s Entertainment Center, a 72,000-square-foot restaurant and entertainment complex which was completed within six months—two months ahead of schedule.

Prodigy Retail Construction Inc.

315B Humberline Rd., Toronto, ON M9W 5T6

Through Prodigy Retail Construction’s three regional offices located in Chicago, Montreal, and Vancouver, the firm is able to access not just the Canadian market but also Northern America’s commercial, retail, institutional, and hospitality sectors.

The firm’s general contracting, construction management, and  Design+Build services are completed with the highest attention to quality and detail. To do this, the company takes the most significant factors into consideration: adhering to the brand’s stringent corporate standards, delivering projects on time and within budget, and completing profitable spaces for projects of varying levels of size and complexity.

In order to maintain its reputation as a preferred builder for high-end brands, the firm relies on its “Accelerated Construction Approach.” This allows the firm to meet the time-sensitive and cost-efficient standards of huge retail companies. Brands like Under Armor, iStore, Bally, Berluti, Maison Birks, and Marciano, Massimo Dutti, among others, have benefited from this construction method.

Royalty General Construction

386 Bering Ave., Etobicoke, ON M8Z 3A9

Royalty General Construction is one of the oldest retail and commercial general contracting firms in Etobicoke. It was established in 1986 by Ron Crosby and Greg Flagler. Over the years, the firm has served many high-value clients from the region’s commercial market, but one thing makes the company stand out: its enduring relationships with many of its original clientele, some of which have worked with the firm since day one.

Today, Mark Fazio heads the company as its owner and president. Fazio has been with Royalty General Construction for 20 years and has extensive experience in project management and construction for the retail, office, and airport industries. Aside from its contributions to the construction industry, the company is also an advocate of worker welfare and safety. For years, the firm has followed a comprehensive health and safety program for its employees and is now COR certified.

Air Canada, West Jet, GTAA, Shoppers Drug Mart and Staples are some of the company’s renowned clients. Aside from its portfolio for the retail market, many of its high-end projects come from the corporate and tenant improvement markets.

Servcon, Inc.

13-25 West Beaver Creek Rd., Richmond Hill, ON L4B 1K2

When it comes to commercial construction, design/build, and building maintenance services, Servcon maintains a highly recommended reputation. Its clients’ testimonials emphasize the firm’s technical competence and efficient construction management methods that result in high-quality work—completed on time and on budget. Its approach begins with a personal consultation with the contractor. This helps clients, especially first-time project owners, to make informed decisions about their project.

The company is composed of managers and certified general contracting professionals that take on a wide range of retail, commercial, corporate, community, and government projects. The firm also completes retrofitting for office and warehouse clients. Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC installations are also included in its long list of service offerings.

Since its founding over twenty years ago, it has partnered with niche and popular brands, especially for many of its commercial and retail construction and maintenance projects. Some of them include Burger King, The Works, Timothy’s, ABC Euro Delicatessen, and Ricci Jewellers.

Turner Construction

48 Yonge St. Suite #1100, Toronto, ON M5E 1G6

As an international company, Turner is a dominant figure in the construction scene, especially in terms of revenue. The firm currently records over $600 million in earnings from its projects for different industries across Canada. These include hospitality, healthcare, education, sports, manufacturing, financial, and data center markets.

Just like the firm’s American locations, its Toronto office has completed high-value projects, especially for the retail and commercial markets. One of its projects in the city is a renovation work for the international clothing brand, TopShop. The store was originally constructed in 1986. The project covered the transformation of the 21,000-square foot commercial space and a 7,000 square retail floor space.

Mark Breslin, Canadian Turner Construction Company’s president, has greatly contributed to the firm’s success. While it is a big company with a massive scope of services, the firm also accommodates small tenant improvement works. It is also trained and authorized to complete LEED-accredited projects for its commercial and residential clients.

How can I find a contractor near me?

Read our latest articles on the best contractors in and near Toronto. If you don’t see your project type below, just let us know – we are happy to create a tailored recommendation list just for you.

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About Our Rankings

This list takes a range of ranking criteria into consideration, including but not limited to: work history, customer satisfaction, awards and recognition, geographic area of work, cost, building permits, and clientele. We spent over 40 hours researching local contractors before calculating the final ranking for this post. If there is additional information about your business that could affect these rankings, please fill out this form and we will take it into consideration.

Get Bids For Your Build

If you are thinking about doing a retail construction project, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.