Our Story
The Pheidias Group has been at the forefront of innovative projects since 1976. From the beginning, the group has pursued and realized “big ideas” in the built environment while maintaining a European aesthetic and attention to detail.
Originally consisting of Pheidias Project Management Corp. and Oberto Oberti Architecture and Urban Design Inc., the group was established to take on an innovative project that others would not.
1976
First luxury waterfront condominiums in Vancouver
The company group was established to design and construct the first luxury residential high rise in greater Vancouver. Seawalk Place on the waterfront of West Vancouver was the first condominium building designed for a luxurious urban life style, featuring higher ceilings, larger suites and elegant interiors. The project overcame a real estate slump and created a new market and lifestyle of urban living as an alternative to suburban living. It also built the first section of the acclaimed West Vancouver waterfront Seawalk.
Seawalk Place, 1976
1979
Whistler's early days
The group obtained the original land use contract for Twin Lakes development in Whistler, which was at the forefront of Whistler’s renaissance as a planned community.
1981
Industrial achievements
In 1981 the group designed and built as construction manager the largest factory in British Columbia for that year, Tristar Industries, located in Tilbury Island industrial park.
1980s
Marine Resorts
The group expanded on its mountain resort experience and developed ocean orientated resort-planning expertise focused on the shores of B.C., on Saratoga Beach on Vancouver Island, marina expansions in Vancouver, and studies for coastal developments.
1987
First rezoning: reshaping Vancouver's downtown
Pheidias completed the first rezoning in the Downtown District of the City of Vancouver, creating the first condominium high-rise on West Georgia Street, which helped transform Vancouver into the vibrant city that it is today. The project helped integrate uses in the downtown core, which prevented the collapse of property values along with the collapse of the office market. The project, Palais Georgia, was one of the most successful projects in downtown Vancouver. It was almost entirely pre-sold and it established a record selling price in 1989 ($600 per sq.ft.).
Palais Georgia, 1991
1990s
Expansion of architectural practice and awards
The architectural practice expanded with a multiplicity of projects, ranging from residences to new industries, and to schools and churches. Its first church project, called Christ the Redeemer, was featured by the CBC for the Easter Mass, and it remains one of the favourite locations for weddings in the west side of Vancouver and the North Shore. Throughout these years the group maintained a focus on all types of residential projects, from unique homes to resort projects, winning many awards, including Gold and Silver Georgies.
1994
Pioneering Whistler's Village North
Achieved the first application in Whistler’s Village North with the construction of Twin Peaks Resort.
1994
First year-round ski resort proposal in North America
Resort design activities continued and culminated with the submission of a Master Plan for the first year-round skiing and glacier sightseeing resort in North America.
1996
First Hotel in Whistler Village North
Designed and built the Pinnacle Hotel at Whistler, the first hotel in Whistler’s Village North.
Pinnacle Hotel, 1996
1997
First Environmental Assessment Act approval for a resort in British Columbia
Received Environmental Assessment Act Certificate for Jumbo Glacier Resort, a 6,500-bed year-round ski resort in British Columbia’s Kootenay Region.
1999
Achievements across Canada and the U.S.
Many new commercial projects were designed and built across Canada and in the eastern United States. Crowning events were achieved with the opening of a new Henry Birks & Sons flagship store at the corner of Bay and Bloor Streets in downtown Toronto in November 1999, and the opening of the new Rolex store at Fort Lauderdale in Florida in February 2001.
2000
First new resort in B.C. since Blackcomb
Opening of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Canada’s first new ski resort since Blackcomb opened in 1980. The 3,200-bed project was conceived, planned and designed by the company group and featured Canada’s only high alpine destination restaurant and viewpoint, and the second highest vertical drop in Canada. Pheidias was awarded a Gold Georgie award for cooperation with local government.
2002
Approval of Crystal Mountain Golf and Ski Resort
Approval of 3,500 bed Crystal Mountain Ski and Golf Resort near Kelowna, B.C.
2005
Oberti Resort Design established
Oberti Resort Design, a division of Oberto Oberti Architecture and Urban Design Inc. is established in order to place the cumulative resort design experience of the company group under one umbrella.
Oberto Oberti
2006
Continued heritage awards
Completion of the Henry Birks & Sons building at Phillips Square in Montreal (recognized in August 2007 with the award from the Montreal Heritage Foundation of the City of Montreal) and renovation of the Union Trust Tower in Winnipeg (recognized with the Preservation Award of the City of Winnipeg in 2009) .
2000s
Expansion of resort design activity and design projects throughout Canada and Eastern U.S.
Construction of Whiskey Jack Golf Resort near Sparwood, BC and Dreamcatcher resort near Kimberley, BC as well as many other smaller resort design projects. The Selkirk Townhomes, completed in 2006 at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, received a Gold Georgie Award. Design and project management of luxury retail and institutional projects throughout the continent – from Victoria BC to St. John’s Nfld. and from Yellowknife, NWT to Miami, FL.
2008
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort success and expansion
Master planning and approval of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort’s expansion from 3,200 to 22,000 bed-units following the resort’s initial successes measured by real estate sales and values and visitation numbers.
2012
First bare-land mountain resort municipality in Canada
Final approval of Jumbo Glacier Resort and Jumbo Glacier Mountain Resort Municipality. Canada’s first year-round glacier skiing and sightseeing destination and first bare-land mountain resort municipality.