Affiliate Member Spotlight: Dario Montoni and Groupe Montoni

In this exclusive interview, we sat down with Dario Montoni, founder of Groupe Montoni, a pioneering figure in the Canadian construction and development industry. As a longstanding supporter and affiliate member of SIOR Canada East, Dario has not only shaped the landscape of commercial real estate in Québec but has also been a strong advocate for sustainable development and community-focused initiatives. Dario shares how he built his company from scratch in 1995, focusing on customer experience and sustainable development from the start. As a longstanding supporter of SIOR Canada East, he discusses the importance of long-term thinking, both in business strategy and in creating lasting impact.

SIOR Canada: How did Groupe Montoni begin?

Dario Montoni: The adventure began in 1995. I graduated from McGill University in engineering and worked for a general contractor for three years. At 25, I decided to quit my job and start my own business. I was driven by ambition, despite being a bit naive. I come from a family of entrepreneurs, so business conversations were a regular part of my upbringing, so starting my own business felt natural to me.

SIOR Canada: What inspired your confidence to quit your job and start a business at 25?

Dario Montoni: My parents were entrepreneurs, so I was always exposed to business discussions and knew I wanted to run my own venture. Even before starting Montoni, I had other small businesses. But the construction industry, as I observed it back then, lacked focus on customer service. It was more about cutting corners and speed. I thought I could bring a better experience to the industry, which motivated me to leave my job and start fresh.

During the three years I worked for a general contractor, I was fortunate to attend many seminars that gave me a clear view of the industry's strengths and weaknesses. I spent a lot of time studying the field, often thinking through problems at night. When I decided to start my own company, I knew I had to offer real value from the start. That focus on adding value remains central to us, even 29 years later, as we continuously ask, How can we improve the customer experience?

We make every client feel like they’re our only client. It doesn’t matter if it’s a $100,000 project or a $100 million one—the customer should have the same experience. We build a culture at MONTONI where every client is made to feel special.

SIOR Canada: What made Groupe Montoni stand out in the construction industry?

Dario Montoni: We decided to offer turnkey solutions, which weren’t common at the time. Traditionally, contractors built just the shell of a building, leaving clients to handle the interiors. We took a different approach by hiring in-house architects and engineers to deliver a complete solution, from planning to construction. This allowed us to work closely with clients from start to finish, even down to details like furnishing their offices.

We’d think of every detail—right down to buying pens for their desks. It was a lot of hard work, requiring extensive research and labor, but this approach helped us build our niche in the market. That’s what set us apart and got us started.

SIOR Canada: You emphasized the importance of customer experience across all project sizes. Could you expand on what that means in practice?

Dario Montoni: Absolutely. We make every client feel like they’re our only client. It doesn’t matter if it’s a $100,000 project or a $100 million one—the customer should have the same experience. We build a culture at MONTONI where every client is made to feel special. The experience they have with us, from the first contact to the finished project, should make them feel valued. That's something we started with when we were just five employees, and we continue to emphasize it today with over 250 employees.

Even 29 years later, we’re still improving the customer experience. It's about understanding their needs, finding their pain points, and creating solutions tailored to them. It’s what sets us apart.

SIOR Canada: What core value drives your company’s vision and culture?

Dario Montoni: We always say 'excellence.' But to put it simply, it’s about continuously improving and always aiming to be better. Another critical aspect of our work is sustainability. We were ahead of the curve on this—back in 2006, we built the first LEED Gold-certified industrial building in Canada. We recognized early on that we needed to build with future generations in mind, and this became central to our business model.

SIOR Canada: You began focusing on sustainability well before it became a widespread industry priority. What influenced that early shift in direction?

Dario Montoni: Yes, in 2004, the U.S. Green Building Council was starting to promote LEED standards and discussing how the building industry was responsible for 40% of greenhouse gas emissions. We understood that if we, as developers, could make our buildings more sustainable, we could have a significant positive impact. In 2005, we made sustainability part of MONTONI’s DNA. Back then, most people didn’t even know what LEED certification was. But we’ve spent almost 20 years perfecting this approach, and while a lot of companies are now talking about ESG, we’ve been doing it for two decades. It’s not just about talking—it’s about taking real action and making sure everything we build is aligned with these values.

SIOR Canada: You’ve mentioned that sustainability can still be profitable. How do you approach this with other developers?

Dario Montoni: We try to lead by example. We share what we’ve done and how it’s feasible to build sustainably while still being profitable. It’s about changing mindsets. If we can change one developer’s thinking, we can make a significant impact. If developers realize they can incorporate sustainable practices and still turn a profit, it can help alleviate some of the environmental issues we’re facing.

SIOR Canada: What’s a common misconception about people in your industry?

Dario Montoni: In North America, there’s a focus on maximizing short-term profits, often at the expense of long-term sustainability. Builders are often seen as solely profit-driven, but that’s not always the case. At MONTONI, we adopt a generational mindset, like Europe, where the focus is on maximizing value over time rather than immediate returns. We might sacrifice profits today to ensure a building's durability and value over 30 or 40 years.

SIOR Canada: Is the commercial real estate sector evolving beyond its traditional focus on short-term gains?

Dario Montoni: I’m optimistic. I’ve attended many conferences where large corporations are telling shareholders to expect lower profits in the next five years as they invest in ESG initiatives. This shift in focus suggests that the industry might start to prioritize long-term benefits over immediate gains.

The best brokers understand the full scope of their client’s needs, including construction and legal aspects. We appreciate brokers who prioritize their client’s interests and pain points.

SIOR Canada: What do you see as one of the biggest trends or changes currently impacting the commercial real estate and construction industries?

Dario Montoni: We’ve had discussions about the importance of ESG strategies, net-zero carbon initiatives, and LEED standards in today’s construction projects. Ignoring these considerations is short-sighted, as buildings that don’t meet these standards will be obsolete in 10 years. Bringing them up to compliance later will be extremely costly, especially with potential government decarbonization taxes on the horizon. By investing in these measures now, we’re minimizing future costs and staying ahead of regulatory requirements.

SIOR Canada: What’s it like working with brokers? How do they add value to the commercial real estate and construction industries?

Dario Montoni: Brokers are a critical part of our operations across Canada and the U.S. The best brokers understand the full scope of their client’s needs, including construction and legal aspects. We appreciate brokers who prioritize their client’s interests and pain points. It makes collaboration seamless and ultimately leads to better outcomes for everyone involved.

SIOR Canada: What is the value of joining a network like SIOR as an affiliate member?

Dario Montoni: For us, SIOR has always represented the top tier of real estate professionals. Being accredited as an affiliate member 20  years ago was a proud moment—it opened markets for us beyond our local sphere. It allows us to connect with highly qualified brokers across North America, from Chicago to Vancouver. The network has a far reach, making it easier to initiate deals and maintain consistent standards across projects.

SIOR Canada: What advice do you have for young professionals entering the industry?

Dario Montoni: I’m inspired by the younger generation. They work collectively and come up with innovative solutions. My advice is to be hungry and find a mentor. The art of listening is crucial—many young professionals want to speak but often miss out on the value of listening. You also need to be persistent and consistent. It’s not about instant results; it’s about maintaining effort over time. Success takes hard work, consistency, and the willingness to fail and learn from it. Don’t be afraid to fail at all.

SIOR Canada: Are there any causes or organizations that you or your company actively support?

Dario Montoni: Yes, absolutely. We started the MONTONI Foundation two years ago. Each year, we contribute significantly to causes focused on children, families, and women. We also participate in the 24h Tremblant every year –a ski event in December. This year, we aim to raise $300,000 for children's health research. It’s a team effort involving our employees, who help organize fundraisers like lunches and events. We raise money bit by bit—$50, $100 at a time—and it all adds up by the end of the year. Our main project with the MONTONI Foundation this year is with Habitat for Humanity Québec, where we’re contributing to a new initiative.

SIOR Canada: Can you tell us more about your work with Habitat for Humanity?

Dario Montoni: We recently completed a project equivalent to six homes in Montreal, for families with modest incomes. The MONTONI Foundation played an essential role, with a $300,000 contribution. Montoni Group, for its part, raised just over $530,000 thanks to generous donations from our partners and suppliers, and built the project at cost, thus maximizing the impact of each dollar invested. More than $1,600,000 was donated in total.

HHQ's mission goes far beyond building housing. It gives families access to home ownership, with no down payment, a mortgage with the organization itself – 70% interest-free – and monthly payments of no more than 30% of gross household income. They also provide support for families as they take on their new responsibilities. Those projects seek to end the cycle of poverty by enabling families with modest income to gain significant equity, which they can invest in their children’s education, or further integrate into society.

SIOR Canada: What’s the broader goal for this initiative?

Dario Montoni: The idea is to offer these families an opportunity to build equity and own their own homes, rather than relying on low-income housing. We hope to inspire other companies to adopt similar models, potentially helping hundreds of modest-income families across Canada.

Dario Montoni’s story showcases the impact of long-term vision, resilience, and community-focused growth in commercial real estate. His commitment to sustainability and customer excellence sets a high standard in the industry. As an SIOR Canada East affiliate member, Dario emphasizes the value of this network for real estate professionals seeking to grow, collaborate, and lead with purpose.

About MONTONI:

A pioneer of sustainable building in Canada, MONTONI develops, builds and manages real estate projects at the leading edge of design, performance, urban planning and occupant wellness. Its fundamental purpose is to create value for its clients, the environment and the community. 

To date, MONTONI has completed more than 700 projects representing over 30 million square feet of industrial, commercial, institutional and residential construction, 30 corporate campuses and another 25 million square feet under development—an impressive portfolio of properties across Québec.

Proudly holding the title of one of Canada’s Best-Managed Companies for nearly 25 years, MONTONI has committed to making ESG criteria a permanent strategic reflex. It has completed more than 5.2 million square feet of LEED-certified buildings and, among projects under way, is targeting LEED certification for close to 7 million square feet. Additionally, it is in the process of acquiring zero-carbon building (ZCB) certification for nearly 4.5 million square feet. Its ambition: to build the real estate heritage of tomorrow that will be a source of pride for future generations. www.groupemontoni.com

If your company is looking to expand its influence and connect with top industry leaders, consider becoming an SIOR affiliate member. Learn more about the benefits at SIOR Affiliate Membership.