Quality and integration into the neighbourhood are main concerns

Denis Morin successfully completed his first residential project in Verdun. Land is a rare commodity but this entrepreneur with more than 30 years’ experience demonstrated he could rejuvenate the former Ultramar gas station in the corner of Bannantyne and 5th Avenue. By building an 18-unit condo building requiring an investment of more than $4 million, Denis Morin applied the key principles that earned his firm a solid reputation. His firm, EXSUM, stands for excellence and summum (the highest good)… in real estate. The commitment of the builder and real estate developer is to use top-of-the-line materials to enhance the value of the site to be developed. Giving a sweeping view of the front of the building that he just built and comparing it to the neighbouring buildings, Denis Morin said: “it should integrate into the concept of the whole neighbourhood.”

There is no mystery to Denis Morin’s success. Of course the quality of materials and his competent team at work in construction sites contribute to this success, but when a property buyer is told about the good reputation of the builder, there is no hesitation in buying the condo made by EXSUM. Denis Morin is proud to put his award “Les Maîtres Bâtisseurs» (The Master Builders) on display, an award for residential construction. Denis Morin also won prizes and became a finalist for his various works. He also attributes his success to the way his company operates.

Denis Morin speaks of vertical integration in describing his control over all phases of the construction: from the land purchase to implementing the construction, to outsourcing to specialised entrepreneurs, to finishing of the tiniest details and then to the sale of units. There are no intermediaries and clients deal directly with the builder.

Denis Morin has been specialising in condos since 1998; his first project in Verdun was a 12-unit condo building of 1,100 square feet (4-1/2 units) and six units with a mezzanine. This project became reality after eight months and was called Le 5e Avenue (The 5th Avenue). More projects are likely to follow in Verdun. Unfortunately, there is hardly available land. “We’re looking everywhere in Montreal”, the promoter pointed out. A designer by choice, Denis Morin likes to begin with a blank sheet of white paper, and makes large sketches of an imaginary site.