Legacy.
Coles Associates was founded in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island in 1959 by Laurie A. Coles, who was both an engineer and an architect. He was also the father of seven children, who at one point have all worked in the business. One of Laurie’s first projects was a building on the site of a local petting zoo that the client wished to be in the style of a traditional Swiss chalet, so Laurie travelled to Switzerland to study the vernacular architectural style. This characteristic commitment to understanding a client’s vision for a project is a core value of our company today. Laurie retired in 1991, leaving behind a legacy that we honour everyday. Though Coles is no longer a family company in the true definition of the word, we remain a family of colleagues and co-workers who model respect, fairness, honesty and integrity.
Growth.
Over the years, Coles has occupied four different office spaces in Charlottetown, and employed three generations worth of students and working professionals from all over the world – at one point supporting a staff of over 50 people. We have successfully executed thousands of projects ranging in size, scope and budget, and have completed more than 100 international projects.
We take pride in our proven ability to accurately assess timelines and budgets, and also in our long-term involvement with various non-profit organizations such as the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation.
Adaptation.
Today, we are a team of diverse professionals in an ever-changing work environment. This past year presented new challenges to all businesses and economies, and we are incredibly grateful to be weathering the pandemic storm with relative ease, motivated by the strength & support of our colleagues and the trust & perseverance of our clients. We continue to demonstrate excellence in all areas of our work—from innovative design to personalized customer service—and are excited for the future projects and relationships that we will build together.
