code requirements, that they have implemented electric car chargers at all of their apartment complexes, and they are a recognized builder for energy efficiency by Efficiency Manitoba. “We were doing LED pot lights before they were a thing,” she elaborates. “We use tri-pane windows, double-insulated walls; we add gypcrete to every floor level. We go above and beyond the standard to ensure we’re being sustainable and that the tenant experience is so much better.” As was previously mentioned, Progressive Real Estate Group is also now branching out and doing some building for third party developers. Geoff believes those clients like working with them because of their experience as a developer themselves – and in particular, because of their specific experience and expertise in the multifamily sector. “When you’re looking to build a multi-family apartment, lot of the other options you have are general contractors who are more generalists in construction,” Geoff says. “I’m not saying those contractors are not great at what they do; I’m just saying they build everything from power plants to dams to government buildings to industrial warehouses. Whereas with us, the client is hiring a company that truly knows the ins-and-outs of multi-family building in particular. The clients who hire us are the clients who want that expertise.” In addition, Progressive Real Estate Group has built relationships with some of the very best designers, engineers, subcontractors, and material suppliers in Winnipeg – which means the quality of their buildings is always very high. That sets them apart as a builder for other developers and as a developer themselves. “We work with some of the best professionals in our industry,” Geoff says. “We have great relationships with our suppliers and our trades. We ask a lot of them and they deliver.” Most of the company’s trade relationships, Geoff explains, are repeat and longstanding. Projectover-project, he estimates they use “north of 80 per cent” of the same subcontractors. “We get to know how they operate, they get to know our systems, and they get to know each other,” he says. “They develop a good camaraderie and synergy; they do a good job together, so we like to work with them over and over. We’ll try some new people on occasion, and that’s how we develop new relationships, but for the most part I would say we have a core group that we like to stick with.” JULY 2024
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTYzNTg=