July 6, 2026

Qualico Celebrates 75 Years of Helping Build Better Cities

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For immediate release: Qualico celebrates 75 years of helping build better cities

Winnipeg, MB – Qualico is proud to celebrate its 75^th anniversary on July 11, marking a significant milestone in the company’s history and recognizing 75 years of growth, resilience, and commitment to helping build better cities.

Founded in Winnipeg in 1951 by Dr. David Friesen and Katherine Friesen as Quality Construction Company Ltd., Qualico began with the construction of 13 homes. Over the past 75 years, the company has grown into one of the largest integrated real estate companies with operations across Western Canada and the United States.

Today, Qualico’s business activities span land acquisition and development, single-family and multi-family homes, commercial development and leasing, property management, and building materials and services.

“Seventy-five years is a remarkable milestone for any company, and for Qualico, it’s an opportunity to reflect on where we began, what we’ve built together, and where we’re headed next,” said Kevin Van, President & CEO, Qualico. “We’re proud of our history, proud of the trust families and partners have placed in us, and proud of the people across the company whose dedication have shaped Qualico over generations.”

Since its founding, Qualico has grown through a long-term commitment to quality, innovation, and community building. The company expanded into Calgary in 1954 and Edmonton in 1955, adopted the Qualico name in 1972, and continued to grow into Metro Vancouver, Saskatchewan, and Texas. Across the decades, the company has contributed to landmark residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments while evolving to meet the changing needs of the people and communities it serves.

“For 75 years, our story has always been about more than building. It’s about people – families finding a place to call home, businesses finding space to grow, and communities coming to life. That’s what makes this anniversary so meaningful – it’s a celebration of the relationships and enduring values that have brought us to this moment.”

Qualico’s history includes a number of notable milestones, including introducing condominium living to the prairies in 1969, beginning development of River Park South in Winnipeg in 1976, completing First Edmonton Place in 1982, entering the U.S. market in 2004, completing EPCOR Tower in downtown Edmonton in 2011, and bolstering its supply chain operations with Star Building Materials’ expansion in Calgary in 2025. These milestones reflect the breadth of the company’s integrated business model and its continued commitment to building at scale with a long-term perspective.

Today, Qualico continues to invest in projects that support future growth across its regions. In Calgary, Harmony has emerged as a flagship master-planned community, while Southbow Landing in Cochrane and Vantage Rise in Airdrie represent the next generation of community development. In Edmonton, Qualico Communities has launched Marquis and continues to advance Station Lands, a mixed-use master-planned downtown community. In Winnipeg, Sage Creek continues to grow as a complete community with diverse housing, commercial amenities, and public spaces.

In British Columbia, Qualico continues to expand its presence in Metro Vancouver through projects such as Brookswood Estates in Langley, while in Saskatchewan, Eastbrook in Regina reflects the company’s continued investment in growing communities. In Texas, Qualico Communities Austin is moving forward with Mason, a new master-planned community in San Marcos.

“As cities grow and change, so do the needs of the people who live in them. Affordability, sustainability, and community design are all shaping the future of our industry. We see that as both a responsibility and an opportunity – to keep improving, to keep innovating, and to keep delivering value in the places where we operate.”

Qualico’s recent progress reflects that focus. Across its business, the company continues to advance initiatives related to sustainability, mixed-use development, housing diversity, and long-term planning. It has also achieved the milestone of having a certified net-zero homebuilder in every Canadian province where it operates.

“While our 75^th anniversary is an important moment to celebrate our legacy, it’s equally a moment to look ahead. Our purpose – helping build better cities – continues to guide everything we do. We’re excited about the future and committed to building homes, communities, and spaces that will serve people well for generations to come.”

About Qualico

Founded in Winnipeg in 1951, Qualico is a privately owned, fully integrated real estate company operating across Western Canada and the United States. Its activities span land acquisition and development, single-family and multi-family homes, commercial development and leasing, property management, and building materials and services. For 75 years, Qualico has remained committed to its purpose of helping build better cities.