The Velez Organization literally started with a break when Andrew Velez, a union carpenter, fell two stories and broke his ankle. Unable to work, he returned to school and started a small contracting firm in his Brooklyn apartment as a Federal Government 8A contractor in 1972.
As the business began to grow, his young daughter Elizabeth, who presently serves as President and Chief Contract Officer of the Velez Organization, would visit his construction sites in order to spend time with him and developed an interest in the industry.
The organization’s foundation began in residential work throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s. The firm received its first development project with the Partnership for New York City. As the firm expanded, it initially used its Minority Business Enterprise certification as a door opener, however, it continued to grow because of the quality that was used with the buildings it built and the strength of the relationships it successfully developed.
Though the Velez Organization began as a general contractor, new construction management (CM) opportunities were emerging during the 1990’s. In 1992, the firm entered into a 60/40 percent joint venture with HRH Construction for a large CM project. The project was a game changer. Velez invested 40 percent of their Bronx office to the project which was a huge financial risk for a small company. The risk paid off; that project and the ownership of the risk put Velez on the map. Today, construction management is a highly successful division of the Velez Organization.
The Velez Organization has completed over $750 million dollars of new construction and renovation projects. The firm has project experience and expertise that encompasses major commercial and institutional work as well as over 600 units of new residential housing throughout New York City. As a construction manager, developer and general contractor, Velez possesses a unique insight and approach to evaluating the viability of any project from design concept and budgeting and scheduling to construction completion and obtaining all necessary permits and Certificate(s) of Occupancy.
Coming soon.