By Hattie Klotz
Photos by Kevin Belanger
As Ottawa’s custom builder of the year, Casa Verde is a company that likes to keep it all in the family. What started out as a development opportunity on Lac Ste-Sixte, a pristine lake in cottage country an hour to the east of Ottawa, has become the go-to construction company for clients who expect the best. Founded by Bob McElligott in 2008, it is now in the hands of his son, Paul.
However, it’s not only the company that remains in family hands, but also the crew who work for Casa Verde. Many of them have been with the company for close to 20 years. “Our craftsmen take huge pride in what they do,” says Paul, who’s on-site at a spectacular house that’s ready for hand-over in Rothwell Heights. “We treat our projects like a piece of art, and we take on jobs from start to finish.”
This particular contemporary farmhouse project is a full week ahead of schedule. Friendly employees buzz about putting the finishing touches to the home by architect Barry Hobin with interior design by 2H. With soaring ground-floor spaces that flow seamlessly from one to another, the house offers plenty of space for entertaining, including a butler’s pantry to keep kitchen clutter out of sight, while exuding a refined and cosy sense of calm—that feeling we all crave these days.
“Typically, we like our team to be on-site throughout, so that there’s a flow to the project and everybody knows what’s going on,” explains Laura McElligott, director of marketing and wife of Paul. For example, the people who frame a house might also be those same people doing the interior finishing, so they have a vested interest in making sure that everything is square. In general, Casa Verde will handle up to five projects at a time and the McElligotts have a team of 20 longtime employees, from carpenters to tile setters. At this Rothwell Heights house, the atmosphere is friction-free. It’s easy to imagine that life here will be as smooth as the seamless mouldings, the massive mahogany front door, the northern white oak herringbone flooring, the beautifully inlaid floor heating vents and the ankle level pinpoint lights that twinkle on each riser of the stairs.
“We love working with Casa Verde,” says Ernst Hupel from 2H, a frequent collaborator. “As an interior design firm, we greatly value working with general contractors who understand the importance of collaboration, precision and client experience. Throughout our projects together, their team has consistently demonstrated exceptional attention to detail, ensuring that every element is executed to a high standard and aligned with the design intent.
“Their communication is clear, proactive and professional, making coordination between the client, design team and trades seamless. They maintain a high level of organization throughout the construction process, which helps keep projects running efficiently and minimizes unnecessary challenges.”
“Our focus is Ottawa, but during the pandemic we got pulled out of the city for dream country and cottage projects,” explains Laura. One of those was a Scandi-inspired chalet at Mont Ste-Marie, a ski destination that’s an hour from Ottawa. “I think it’s one of my favourites of all the houses we have built,” says Paul. With spectacular views out over the river and the golf course, this contemporary house is flooded with light and blessed, inside and out, with natural finishes such as Western hemlock, Douglas fir and Pacific Ashlar Veneer stone, a blue-grey slate with occasional white quartz veins.
“But now we are happy to focus on the city again,” adds Paul. Currently the company has projects on Echo Drive, in Rockcliffe and on Clemow Avenue in the Glebe. The ringer to the Ottawa focus is a large country house on 80-acres, including two kilometers of waterfront, on Lac LaBlanche. “They have to be very special, the Quebec ones,” says Paul.
Paul started out as an economist, but his passion is fine carpentry and timber framing. He no longer has the time to get his hands dirty, but he understands the processes necessary for the finishes that clients expect. This is important as it builds respect within the team. Casa Verde does not have its own company workshop yet, although it does have a sawmill in the countryside. However, Paul and many of his employees do have their own shops, which means that they can offer custom millwork and furniture from trees felled on job sites.
In the building trade, you are only as good as your last job. If the accolades on the Casa Verde website are anything to go by, there are plenty of very happy clients in Ottawa. “Casa Verde was our first choice on two separate building projects. Paul and his team’s quality of construction, attention-to-detail, positive attitude and second-to-none crew make Casa Verde a number one choice!” according to Dr. Yelle and Mrs. Nevitt-Yelle. With testimonials like this, Casa Verde is booking into 2027. “We like to become involved as early as possible,” says Laura. “This allows us to collaborate with clients and the design team from the outset, helping to refine the schematic design, optimize the home’s placement on the site and other key design considerations before construction begins.” casaverde.ca
