About Us
Welcome To
Through various subsidiaries of our company we provide a wide range of services. Our construction company offers a client-based residential design and home renovation service, a one-stop turnkey operation.
We also develop and construct new one-of-a-kind luxury homes in desirable areas convenient to downtown. These homes are sold on the open market.
In addition, we offer a complete design build service to clients wanting to realize their dream home. The services provided range from finding a suitable property, to providing architectural services, dealing with permits, construction supervision, and interior design services including the decorating of the homes.
Design/consulting services are also available independently.
Our Property Management arm of the company offers fully furnished downtown condominium suites for short-term or long-term rental.
Our History
Amedeo Barbini and his team have been creating environments for over 40 years.
1975-1990: Provided services in renovation and general contracting with an in-house millwork and cabinet making facilities. Completed projects from small renovations to substantial full scope buildings, working with interior designers, architects, and directly with owners.
1990-1994: Worked exclusively in conjunction with an interior designer, providing a design/build service. Worked on numerous renovations, interior design projects, architectural design, permit and Committee of Adjustment work.
1994-present: We continue to provide design/build services, and consulting in the acquisition of real estate. To this end, we engage the services of and work with architects, our own interior design department, landscape architects, and architectural drafts people. All the construction is done through our in-house construction company. We also acquire real estate, refurbish and furnish it for the upscale rental market, offering turnkey suites for corporate clients and Toronto's film industry. During this period Amedeo and partner founded Essential Elements, providing commercial and residential fabric distribution, custom furnishings and upholstery services to the architectural and design community.
Since 2002 we have expanded our portfolio to include custom home building for and infill development projects. One of our current initiatives is building homes that are energy-efficient and maintain a minimal carbon footprint.
A Selected List of Projects from 1975 to 2002
Condominium Projects completed at 1166 Bay Street, The Rosehill, 33 Jackes Street, 561 Avenue Road, 47 St. Clair Avenue West, the Balmoral, Benvenuto Place, The Lonsdale, and The Windsor Arms among others.
1990-1994 Worked as a general contractor at 33, 55 and 65 Harbour Square, and provided design/build work in over 30 units. Some highlights: 65 Harbour Square - joined a three bedroom and bachelor side by side and completely renovating the bachelor as a home office and viewing room for the president of Global Television. (City Country Home, 1989) 33 Harbour Square — joined a suite with a lower commercial unit by installaling an elevator, and completely renovated both units Bathroom upgrade package: developed an all-inclusive package for refurbishing the bathroom where 90% of the 1000 units had an identical washroom. This cost effective option was sold directly to condominium owners, and its success led to other business in the units.
1991 Full scope design/build renovation of a 4,000 square foot condominium, including enclosing an outdoor balcony to be incorporated as part of the interior space. (The Lonsdale)
1998 Full condominium design/build project for an out-of-town entrepreneur, who required a residence in Toronto for business and relaxation. The client's sole artistic mandate was that he wanted the place to "dance," and he was delighted with the result. (The Palace Pier, Toronto)
1998 Space planning and renovation of a Manhattan condominium and supplementation of clients' existing furniture with custom furnishings (New York City)
1999 Extensive renovation of condominium for a client downsizing from a large Connecticut home- In conjunction with an interior designer, all aspects of the renovation were handled, including reupholstery of the clients soft furnishings. Featured in Style at Home magazine (Forest Hill, Toronto)
2001 Creation of a new environment within a condominium unit to facilitate the move of a client from a large home on The Bridle Path. In conjunction with the designer, the entire unit was transformed, with a great deal of custom cabinetry and extensive use of exotic wood and imported stone. An authentic wrought iron gate was brought in from an old hotel in New York. Featured on HGTV's Design for Living. (Rosedale, Toronto)
1999 on, complete turnkey design, renovation, and furnishings including linens etc. for many upscale condominiums in downtown Toronto.
Corporate & Retail Projects
1976 Building of new broadcast facilities for CFNY Radio, including sales and executive offices (Brampton, Ontario)
Sun Life Building: ¼ floor and half floor for client Capital Canada.
Executive offices, boardroom and main areas for Spring Valley Corporation
Bell Canada - complete facilities on Richmond Street, with architects Baldwin & Franklin
Joy Cherry, Yonge Street, Toronto
The Fit Shop. Avenue Road, Toronto
Combinations, Queens Quay, Toronto
Lou Myles. Avenue Road. Toronto
Hazleton Pantry, Hazleton Lanes, Toronto (featured In Canadian Interiors magazine)
Ridpath's, Yonge Street, Toronto - four projects dealing with much of the store. Also completed projects through Ridpath's in-house Design Studio
Ryerson Polytechnic institute Bookstore, Dundas St.& Mutual St., Toronto
1992 Complete design/build project for the night club Club Tokyo; provided interior design, and construction, coordinating and supervising all trades (Richmond Street, Toronto)
1993 Full design/build service for travel agency Trans-American Connection (Yonge Street, Toronto)
1997 Design of offices in an 85,000 square feet building for a Toronto manufacturing company. Complete renovation of building to suit clients needs. Supervised construction, designed and facilitated all furnishings and millwork for staff and executive offices.
Residential Projects
1977 Built first architecturally designed home, with Architect Zeidler Roberts Partnership. (Toronto Beaches)
1979-1980 Entire estate in Muskoka, including 6000 square feet main house, 2000 square feet coach house with decking, bridges and walkways. and extensive landscaping on 1.5 acres
1980 First entire house renovation, (Roxborough street East, Toronto)
1978-1985 Addition of 9000 square feet and interior renovations to the existing 10,000 square feet to create a 19,000 square feet estate. Designed and built in conjunction with architect and owner, the work included a four level elevator, two large steel, concrete and wood structures, a large indoor water fountain, the addition of six washrooms, and a portico. (Bolton. Ontario)
1987-1988 Entire renovation of two ski chalets (Beaver Valley, Ontario)
1997-1999 Complete Design Build project for existing home on 1-1/2 acre estate, from footings to cushions to custom monograms for the client's napkins. Exterior renovations and complete landscaping, including automated iron gates and fencing. Called back in 2002 to complete the remaining phase. (Caledon Ontario)
2000 Design, gutting, refurbishing and furnishing of home in a contemporary vocabulary. This multi-phase project included custom designed hard furnishings and built-ins, as well as custom soft furnishings. Also included was complete landscaping of property including a private courtyard at the front of the house. Called back in 2002 for additional work. (North Toronto, Bayview North of Steeles)
2000 Complete renovation of residence in Forest Hill. Consulted with clients prior to purchasing. Provided design and construction services for the renovation of the entire house, tailored to their needs. The design work was done before the closing, the construction work started immediately after the closing and the clients moved into a newly renovated home. (Forest Hill, Toronto)
2001 Construction work in a Rosedale home, in conjunction with interior designer. Featured in Style at Home magazine. (South Drive, Toronto)
2001 Interior design and construction consulting services for complete new custom home. (Upper Forest Hill, Toronto)
2002 to Present: see Project Potfolio
Leaders In Green Building
The Green Building initiative is clearly an idea whose time has come. Purchasers are demanding better quality sytems in their homes and the most prestigious mechanical, electrical and heat systems are all being developed to also meet the new green or environmentally conscious standards. The building industry is responding with superior products and new building protocols that mitigate the higher costs of energy, the threat of water shortages and the effect of greenhouse gases on the environment.
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Our Team
We are a group of professionals committed to making your project a success.
We pride ourselves on having a well-rounded team who is experienced in every phase of your project.
Our Latest Accolades
We are delighted and honoured to have our achievements recognized by these respected publications.
Customer Feedback
Every detail of design and function was carefully considered and the result is a home that is a pleasure to live in everyday.
JP
We just finished the project and have recently moved in and we can honestly say that we enjoyed the process from beginning to end.
Mary Lee Keefe & Guy Manuel
The layout of the rooms, the classic yet clean styling, the top-of-the-line materials, and the attention to detail were all immediately apparent the first time we saw this home.
Stephen Morrison
Your attention to a very elegant detailed design and quality throughout has put it in the forefront of new construction in Toronto.
J.H. Whiteside
His design truly anticipated our needs and the way we wanted to live in each of our homes.