The first of CBP's 40th anniversary story series traces the origins or our founding companies
The tale of Colonnade Management Inc. and BridgePort Realty Capital Partners is one of two companies that independently shaped Ottawa’s real estate landscape before coming together in 2016 to create a powerhouse poised for transformative growth.
The rise of Colonnade Management Inc.
Jan Kaminski Sr. co-founded Colonnade Management Inc. in 1985 with a bold vision: to shape suburban Ottawa’s growth and redefine commercial real estate through strategic development. Under his leadership, the company became a family enterprise, with his sons, Steve and Jan Jr., and son-in-law Cal Kirkpatrick, playing key roles in its evolution.
From its inception, Colonnade prioritized creating value through a full suite of commercial real estate services—development, management, and leasing. This integrated approach positioned the company as a leader in the National Capital Region, consistently delivering projects that exceeded client expectations while supporting the needs of businesses, and communities.
Through the 1980s, 1990s, and into the 2010s, Colonnade shaped Ottawa’s real estate landscape with many impactful development projects. From office projects on Colonnade Road and in Kanata North Technology Park, to industrial hubs on Cleopatra Street and in the St. Laurent Technology Park, the company built a reputation for innovation and execution. Its adoption of tilt-up construction—an approach popular in the U.S.—demonstrated Colonnade’s commitment to efficiency, reducing build times while maintaining quality. Each project was strategically designed to align with market needs and drive economic growth.
As Colonnade’s development portfolio expanded, so did its property management business. Initially, the company’s strategy focused on developing and retaining management of its properties. By the late 1990s, its management portfolio had grown to approximately 700,000 square feet, and client expectations had evolved, signaling an opportunity to enhance operational transparency and reporting capabilities.
Acknowledging this need, Colonnade made a decisive shift, investing in property management as a core strategic pillar. The company introduced new leadership, implemented industry-leading systems, and established robust processes that continue to set the standard today. These efforts strengthened client relationships, enhanced operational efficiency, and unlocked significant growth opportunities in third-party management and leasing. A pivotal moment came with the acquisition of Colonnade’s first institutional third-party management client, Investors Group—a milestone that underscored the company’s ability to deliver exceptional value to external partners.
By 2014, the company’s management portfolio had grown to 72 properties spanning over 4.2 million square feet across Ottawa. With rising demand for its expertise beyond the National Capital Region, the Kaminskis—committed to the development side of the business and engaged in several other business ventures—recognized the need for a strategic partner to scale their property management platform. They sought an entrepreneurial partner with the vision, capital, and operational strength to drive transformative growth, setting the stage for the next evolution of Colonnade’s legacy.
The emergence of BridgePort Realty Capital Partners
In the mid-2000s, real estate executive Hugh Gorman envisioned a company that provided a creative new approach to structuring capital and offering a higher standard of governance for real estate ventures in Ottawa.
His vision became a reality on October 31, 2008 with the incorporation of BridgePort Realty Capital Partners.
The acquisition of property and asset management platforms – Progeny Management Inc. and ROI, Inc. – created a strong operational platform that enabled BridgePort to enter the market as a full-service real estate company offering investment management, asset management, property operations, and development management. This forward-thinking and comprehensive approach; along with deep market expertise and a commitment to delivering exceptional value for investors, owners, and tenants alike; immediately set BridgePort apart in the Ottawa market.
The company adopted an ambitious growth strategy from the outset, focused on expanding its investor base, pursuing strategic corporate acquisitions, and securing third-party management contracts. Initial successes included the purchases of 8-10 Hearst Way in Kanata, 81 Metcalfe Street in downtown Ottawa, and 100 Argyle Avenue in Centretown, which were actively managed to maximize operating income, generating strong returns for investors.
In the early 2010s, BridgePort was presented with an opportunity to assist with the development of a contaminated parcel of land at McRae Avenue and Scott Street in Westboro. While overlooked by others, the site, in an otherwise thriving neighborhood, was prime for transformation. With private investors on board and capital partner Fiera Real Estate secured, BridgePort launched Westboro Connection, a mixed-use, multi-residential development, followed by Hintonburg Connection at the Tunney’s Pasture LRT station. These projects not only revitalized underutilized land but also set a new standard for urban redevelopment by cleaning up contaminated sites and delivering much-needed housing. This success became the foundation of BridgePort’s long-term strategy: to enhance communities through transit-oriented, mixed-use, multi-residential infill projects that address Ottawa’s critical housing shortage.
By 2014, BridgePort’s third-party commercial and residential management platforms had experienced significant growth, overseeing more than 1 million square feet of commercial space and thousands of residential condo units. Unlike traditional property management firms, BridgePort operated with an ownership mindset—aligning with clients’ objectives and executing tailored strategies to maximize asset performance. This proactive approach not only enhanced property value and helped owners achieve their goals but also fostered vibrant, well-managed tenant communities. As a result, BridgePort solidified its reputation as a leading property manager in the city.
With rapid growth and strong market traction, BridgePort’s leadership recognized the need for a more robust operational framework to sustain momentum and support future expansion, including entry into new markets. This realization paved the way for a strategic partnership, ensuring the company’s continued evolution and long-term success.
With both companies on a growth trajectory, a conversation at a charity golf tournament about complementary strengths and shared ambitions put in motion the eventual merger of Colonnade Management Inc. and BridgePort Realty Capital Partners.
Our next 40th anniversary story will focus on this merger – a union which created an entity with enhanced scale, deeper market expertise, and the operational capacity to pursue ambitious growth across multiple real estate sectors.