Beyond Building
A 15-year journey of Crafting Spaces People Love
Hi, I’m Tom Martino, president of Westrose Construction.
As we near the 15-year mark at Westrose, it feels like the perfect time to pause, look back, and introduce myself to you properly.
This past decade and a half has truly flown by, and it has been filled with so many meaningful and memorable experiences. It feels like the right moment to share a few of those stories and lessons here on our new blog.
You may be thinking: Why now? Why a blog? That’s so 2010… even so, I want to create a space to talk about all things design-build away from the construction site (and my phone!) to share knowledge, answer your questions and give you a window into the people and philosophy behind Westrose Construction, which I’m proud to say has become a trusted custom home builder and commercial outfitter in the GTA.
Where it all began
With a love of homes in my DNA, I started helping my parents with their few small rental units. From painting apartments to helping with small repairs, I learned the ins and outs of construction early on. I loved seeing a home transformed with just a little care and attention but I also soon saw the frustration that comes from poor workmanship.
One memory that has stayed with me is when my mom had a new side door installed improperly. It was unusable and caused a lot of needless frustration while we waited for corrective action. That moment taught me that quality, accountability, and care shouldn’t be optional.
That’s when I knew I wanted to do things differently.
The budding of Westrose
The first full home I built entirely on my own was a house on Westrose Avenue. I was 26 years old, and it was my first major undertaking after a few years of renovating kitchens, bathrooms, basements, the full gamut of interiors. That project marked the budding of Westrose (pun intended!) and shaped the company’s name and philosophy: attention to detail, integrity, and creating spaces that people truly love.
Our approach to design-build
Over the years, we’ve expanded our expertise into custom home design, residential interior design, and commercial design and construction, taking projects from concept to completion…literally. That means every aspect of design, construction and furnishings, is handled in-house. Whether it’s a luxury custom home build in Toronto or Mississauga, or a commercial interior design project for a growing business, we make the process seamless for all of our clients.
Some projects never seem to end, well at least the relationships we form never do thanks to post-project care and clients who continue to entrust us with new projects. For example, we’re now on home four with one of them: a 12,000 sq. ft. property that challenged us to coordinate across distances and incorporate specialized features like geothermal systems.
Relationships that become more like extended family than clients. And no matter how many times we hear it, when a client says, “I love my space,” it’s the most rewarding part of what we do. Knowing that the homes we build will be the beautiful backdrop for so many memories and milestones is truly special.
What to expect
Through this blog, I’ll share insights on custom home design, residential and commercial construction, and what it takes to bring a vision to life. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at our process, from thoughtful preplanning to the finishing touches that make each space extraordinary. This is also your chance to get to know the people behind the tools, drawings, and materials, the tried-and-true principles that guide every Westrose project.
I’m thrilled to start this journey with you. Whether you’re curious about custom builds, residential design, or commercial interiors, or simply want practical guidance from the field, I’ll provide stories, insights and lessons learned. Most importantly, I want you to see how we combine craftsmanship, integrity and a personal touch to deliver spaces that aren’t just built, they’re built to last.
Welcome to our blog.
Let’s build something extraordinary together.