THE
CORTELLUCCI
FAMILY
(Left to Right) Top Row:
Casey McWilliams (Maria's
husband), Maria Cortellucci,
Stefano, Ginesia, Romina
& Peter Cortellucci
Bottom Row:
Maria DiPietro Cortellucci
& Mario Cortellucci
If there is one trait entre-
ments come with a sense
of pride for Cortellucci,
he knows that none of it
would be possible without
the support he’s received
from those around him.
“I still look back at the
first people who gave me
a break. There are many
people that have helped
me throughout my life.
So yes, receiving awards
feels good, but I look at
others too in the same industry who made us who we are today. I started
in the industry at 19 with my brothers working with
people who were 40 years of age. These were experienced labourers and it was hard for me to tell them
what to do when there was that age difference, but
yet they taught me a lot. You have to respect whoever
is around you in any business,” he says.
preneurs have in common,
it’s the desire to succeed
from a young age. For
Mario Cortellucci, President and CEO of Cortel
Group, a family-run group
of businesses that build
both commercial and
residential communities
throughout Toronto and
surrounding cities, building and creating was innate. Bor n in Teramo,
Abruzzo, Cortellucci immigrated to Canada at the
“THE LOVE AND
age of 13. It was his initial years growing up in Italy PROTECTION HAS
however, that provided him with that first glimpse of
ALWAYS BEEN
what hard work can achieve. At the time, he would
THERE, THAT’S
admire the equipment his father used as a building
WHAT FAMILY IS
foreman, which inspired small actions that would
ALL ABOUT.”
eventually lead to big accomplishments years later.
- Mario Cortellucci
“In Italy, my brothers and I lived near a river and
Cortel Group has without doubt made a name for
with our shovels we used to clear sand and we would make sand
itself in Vaughan and is a trailblazer as the first developer to break
bricks. It would take us two weeks to make a small load,” recalls
ground in what is going to be the new downtown Vaughan – the
Cortellucci. It was this dedication and discipline that Cortellucci
Vaughan Metropolitan Centre. As the first of residential developlearned from both his culture and family that instilled in him
ments that will transform the area, Expo City is the largest urban
both good morals and a hard work ethic. “Growing up, my dad
project in the city’s history. Once complete, it will comprise of five
and mom were both kind people, both very disciplined in many
condo towers, two of which are already built, and tower three on its
ways to show respect to the neighbours, show respect to elders, to
way. Conveniently located at the cross of Highways 7 and 400, Expo
help the people who had less than you, and that’s what created
City will also include an urban square, a retail galleria, and will be a
who I am today,” says Cortellucci.
short walk to the TTC’s Vaughan Metropolitan Centre subway staThe same can be said about the rest of his siblings. Growing up in
a family with three brothers and one sister, competition was just a
natural dynamic, but that strong family bond has carried throughout the years. “The love and protection has always been there, that’s
what family is all about,” says Cortellucci. In 2014, Mario Cortellucci and his siblings were recognized for their work in the construction sector, receiving the CIBPA’s Business Excellence Award.
Receiving such an award as a collective, was a humbling experience
for the entire family. From growing up in a big family, to creating
one of his own, Mario Cortellucci is the proud father of four children. Balancing a demanding career and raising a family, although
not always easy, has been possible thanks to the support of his wife
Ginesia, who has been his backbone throughout his life and career.
“You have to remember that without that support you have only
half of you to proceed and achieve,” says Cortellucci.
Over the years, Mario Cortellucci has received numerous awards
for the work he’s done in the construction sector and beyond. Some
of the honours include the Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Medal,
The Order of Ontario, the CIIM Entrepreneur of the Year, and The
Spirit of Brotherhood, just to name a few. While such accomplish-
tion, which is currently under construction. Being the first to plant
the seed in what will completely transform the City of Vaughan has
been a project 30 years in the making and a vision from the very
beginning. “If you want to create a community, you need a centre
where everything functions. Being the first to do that feels good because you can now see that it’s the beginning of the birth of a city,”
says Cortellucci about the Expo City project. It is also a project that
Mario Cortellucci has built with the guidance and dedication of his
children, who are heavily involved in making Expo City what it’s
already successfully becoming.
The decision to expand in Vaughan was all about location and developing in an area that is centralized. With the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre on its way and quick access to all major highways,
Expo City will be at the hub of it all. “We’re in the centre of the city,
you can’t ask for better. In ten years I won’t be surprised if Vaughan
wins an award for being one of the best cities in the world,” says
Cortellucci. While the Cortel Group of enterprises have successfully built beautiful homes in Vaughan over the years, Expo City is
the first high-rise in Vaughan, with plans to build more in the near
future. If there is one contribution Mario Cortellucci hopes that
2016 \ Celebrate Vaughan
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