B.C.’S TOP 10 LEADING HOMEBUILDERS
New Dawn Developments builds
extensive business in B.C. and
Alberta with diversification and innovation
Canadian Design and Construction Report special feature
Over its almost 40-year history, New Dawn Develop-
ments has grown in size, scope, and capacity. The com-
pany, which began with a focus on land development, now
constructs commercial and residential projects, including
multi-family residential, and infrastructure including dams
and bridges.
Based in the East Kootenay of B.C., New Dawn has
opened a renovation and restoration division to support its
growing efforts. The company also has an office in Fort
McMurray, where it is applying its expertise to help the
community rebuild. The company has worked on projects
ranging from dam and spillway work to a 68-unit ski-in/ski-
out luxury hotel complex.
President and CEO Chad Jensen joined the company
his father Rick established in 1978 after acquiring his de-
gree in management at the University of Lethbridge. With
the tourist boom in the area, and the rising demand for ski
hill and lakeside properties, New Dawn turned its focus to
residential and multi-family, adapting to the demand and
growing from a few homes a year to 180 in one year alone.
“Given the terrain in the area we often build homes on
challenging sites and work closely with geo-technical en-
gineers when working on steep slope lots and in close
proximity to the waterfront to ensure the safety of the pro-
jects, as well as the overall environment.”
With the real estate crash in 2008, the company again
responded, maintaining its residential focus but adding
commercial and infrastructure to its growing portfolio.
Today, the staff of 65 is comprised of experts across all
areas of construction and development. From architectural
technologists to interior designers, Jensen says his team
can take a client from concept through construction
through finishing stages, all with in-house staff and exper-
tise. “We are the only one-stop shop between Calgary and
Kelowna,” he said.
New Dawn Developments’ services include design,
cost estimating, scheduling, contract document prepara-
tion and project management. The company is experi-
enced in the nuances of stipulated sum, design build
tender, and construction management projects.
Jensen says one of the reasons for the company’s abil-
ity to adapt and thrive is the inter-generational balance.
“I’m younger, ready to push ahead and my father has the
experience to know when to sit back. We’re still a family
owned business so we know and work closely with our
team and are actively involved.”
26 – Summer 2017 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report
That balance is also reflected in the company’s staff,
with many long-term employees and many younger staff
learning and benefitting from the available mentoring. “We
recognize that with retirement there is a great potential
for loss of knowledge so we balance that with younger,
skilled people ready to learn from and take advantage of
that knowledge.”
New Dawn Developments has been recognized with
several awards in recent years including the 2014 CHBA
(Canadian Home Builders’ Association) Rocky Mountain
Housing Award for Best Single Family Home up to 2,000
sq. ft. under $500,000; the 2015 Cranbrook Chamber of
Commerce Business Maker of the Year award; the Best
of Business Award 2016; and a Georgie Award in 2016 for
Best Single Family Detached Home up to 2,000 sq. ft. and
under $500,000 – Production.
Jensen was recognized as the “2011 Residential Con-
struction Person of the Year,” as well as “Top 20 Most In-
fluential People in Residential Construction for 2012” by
BC Homes Magazine.
Beyond its work helping to rebuild Fort McMurray, New
Dawn Developments is also very active in its local com-
munity, supporting the Cranbrook Women’s Resource
Centre, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cranbrook, elementary
school breakfast programs, the BC SPCA, and the Cran-
brook Kimberley Hospice Society.
For more information on New Dawn Developments,
visit http://www.newdawndevelopments.com.
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The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Summer 2017 – 27