Laying the Foundation

1969 - 1990

Cressey’s early years were driven by a bold vision and a relentless commitment to quality. Under the leadership of our founder Norm Cressey, we were one of the first developers to offer purpose-built rental apartments, which continue to form a large part of our business today. Cressey steadily gained a reputation for delivering thoughtful, finely crafted homes, fueling the company’s expansion into downtown Vancouver in the late 80s.

1984

Halifax Towers

Burnaby, BC

Making headlines as Burnaby’s tallest buildings at the time, Halifax Towers—boasting 204 units combined—demonstrated our commitment to creating ambitious, high-quality purpose-built rentals in Greater Vancouver.

1989

Crystallis Building

Vancouver, BC

With few new developments entering downtown Vancouver at the time, Cressey introduced the Crystallis building, a high-end project distinguished by its iconic round balconies. Crystallis pre-sold its homes—a unique approach at the time—helping us establish a leading presence among the city’s most active developers.

1989

Tudor Manor

Vancouver, BC

Designed by Paul Merrick, Tudor Manor’s 23-storey heritage preservation in Vancouver’s West End struck a fine balance between history and modern luxury. This iconic project helped establish our reputation as a leader in honouring the city’s architectural legacy.

Breaking New Ground

1991 - 2000

The 90's ushered in a period of resilience and strategic expansion for Cressey. Amidst a significant economic downturn, we identified a strong opportunity for growth, expanding into commercial real estate, establishing a presence in Alberta, and delivering notable projects in Whistler, including Glacier Reach, Alpenglow, and The Westin Resort & Spa Whistler.

These decisive moves reinforced our reputation for stability and foresight, which led to our U.S. expansion in the mid-90s. In Seattle, Cressey became one of the first Canadian developers to operate south of the border, building a vast portfolio of condos, purpose-built rentals, and commercial properties that remain key assets today.

1991

Echelon Centre

Vancouver, BC

As the company’s first major commercial real estate project, the 110,000-square-foot Echelon Centre in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood marked a bold step in expanding our development expertise beyond residential real estate. Echelon Centre is still owned and operated by Cressey today.

1992

Biotech Building

Vancouver, BC

We pioneered Vancouver’s first biotech building, now leased by the BC Cancer Foundation and STEMCELL Technologies, setting the stage for Mount Pleasant’s evolution into a biotech hub.

The development also preserved an on-site heritage house, now a neighbourhood coffee shop—a blend of innovation and history that reinforced our reputation for community-focused development.

1997

The Westin Resort & Spa

Whistler, BC

Our expansion into Whistler included developing the iconic Westin Resort & Spa, a lasting cornerstone of the area’s vibrant tourism industry. Today, we are proud to remain part-owners through holding the commercial space within this landmark property.

Forging Lasting Legacies

2001 - Future

As the new millennium unfolded, Cressey spearheaded large-scale residential and mixed-use developments in Vancouver and across the Lower Mainland, contributing significantly to the rapid growth of the region.

At the University of British Columbia, we helped transform the campus with thoughtfully integrated residential, rental, and commercial spaces, shaping its ongoing evolution.

These projects further solidified Cressey’s reputation for creating vibrant, enduring communities that enhance both the landscape and the lives of those who call them home - a legacy we are proud to carry forward today.

2003

The Beresford

Vancouver, BC

As Yaletown’s first high-end rental building, The Beresford set a new standard for mixed-use living at Homer and Davie. Today, we proudly retain ownership of this award-winning property, including the ground-level retail spaces fronting Davie Street.

2005

Summerfield

Surrey, BC

In South Surrey, we introduced a new neighbourhood of 300 single-family homes at Summerfield. Just minutes from White Rock, these 3-5 bedroom character homes were designed to revive the charm of classic neighbourhoods—where kids play street hockey and neighbours know each other by name.

2010

High Point

Langley, BC

With High Point, we had the privilege of creating Canada’s first equestrian-themed community in Langley, complete with estate homes and a dedicated equestrian clubhouse. This unique development exemplifies our commitment to crafting spaces that celebrate lifestyle and community.

2015

Arbutus Ridge

Vancouver, BC

Located on the natural crest of Arbutus between 15th and 16th Avenue, Arbutus Ridge is part of our distinguished West Side Collection, which includes subsequent phases Sterling, McKinnon and Chelsea. This low-rise concrete development offers sweeping views of Vancouver and an elevated living experience in one of the city’s most prestigious neighbourhoods.

2016

MSeries

Coquitlam, BC

Rising 48 storeys, MThree initially held the title of Coquitlam’s tallest tower, featuring 319 homes as part of the MSeries towers. Together with MOne and MTwo, the MSeries brought a total of 682 homes to the city, setting a new standard for highrise living with amenities like The Summit Club.