HISTORY

Velez literally started with a big break when Andrew Velez, a union carpenter, fell two stories and broke his ankle. Unable to work, he enrolled in the Institute of Design & Construction 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 now serves as President, would visit his construction sites in order to spend time with him and developed a passion for 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, the organization continued to grow because of the quality of its buildings and the strength of the relationships it successfully developed over time. It is now one of the longest established and most successful Minority and Woman Owned businesses in the region.

Velez has completed over $200 billion 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, general contractor, diversity coinpal and inclusion compliance expert and Mentor Program manager, Velez possesses a unique insight and approach to evaluating the viability of any project from design concept and budgeting and scheduling to construction completion.

As a quintessential New York City firm, Velez has the necessary industry knowledge, expertise, and dedication to provide the experience for success.