Francis Bellerive is a 39-year-old real estate investor who is truly on a roll. In 2014, after spending a significant part of his life in commercial real estate, particularly within the family business, he decided to do things his own way, thereby attracting the trust of major brands.
We never reach our goals alone. We must take a moment to recognize the magnitude of others’ work.
With over 20 years of experience, Francis Bellerive Investment specializes in developing commercial buildings aimed at the growth of national retail brands. SAQ, Starbucks, Familiprix, Dollarama, and soon Super C are among those hosted by its properties, which are primarily new constructions. Acquiring a building to demolish or buying a piece of land and seeing a project come to life is what motivates the entrepreneur. “The process really excites me, and it’s a service we provide to the community by developing accessible stores,” he explains.
In the coming year, a new building housing a Starbucks branch will be established in the Cap-de-la-Madeleine area, at the corner of Barkoff and De Callières streets. The project, which has faced numerous challenges, represents an investment of $3.5 million. The construction of a Super C store of over 50,000 square feet in Saint-Apollinaire is also on the short-term agenda.
Developing here and abroad
With about twenty buildings spread across Quebec and New Brunswick, Francis Bellerive took advantage of the pandemic period to seize business opportunities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, founding the American division of his company, Francis Bellerive Investment US Corp. “Seventy percent of our growth occurred during the pandemic. We were ready when the market fell,” explains the businessman, noting that all the inherent preparation was not without difficulty, particularly with the spike in interest rates and construction costs. The United States is a market the entrepreneur intends to continue developing in the near future.
As a general contractor, Francis Bellerive can better control the construction costs of his projects and continue to provide turnkey services to his clients. Adaptability and delivering projects within the planned costs and timelines are part of what distinguishes Francis Bellerive Investment from the competition. This work is done in partnership with Simon Julien, not only a site manager but also a business partner in a wooden structure manufacturing plant project that will soon come to life in Louiseville.
Teamwork is an integral part of Francis Bellerive’s life, whether in a professional or family context, or even in his hobbies. As a part-time race car driver, he knows well that it’s the strength of a team that gets you to the podium, just like in hockey, a sport he plays once or twice a week. He also coaches the team of one of his two sons, aged 8 and 6. There’s no doubt that he and his partner are excellent teammates in daily life, both aiming for success, in business and family alike.
LEMAG.CA | MAURICIE | FEBRUARY 2023
