Commercial Construction
Commercial construction in Vancouver
General contracting for commercial construction in Vancouver and Metro Vancouver. Crana Construction runs the site, the schedule and the trades, and coordinates the consultants, on detailed multi-trade work like the Bentall 6 parkade entrance downtown, a commercial renovation carried out while the building stayed in use.
Commercial case study
Bentall 6: parkade entrance modernization
Bentall 6 is Crana’s commercial project on record, and the evidence behind this page. The parkade entrance of the Downtown Vancouver building was modernized to give tenants, residents and visitors a better first impression, at the standard expected of the Bentall Centre portfolio.
The work was carried out in an active commercial environment. At its centre was a custom architectural concrete installation (planter boxes, seating elements and contemporary detailing) that depended on precise formwork, placement and finishing. Custom oak millwork seating and feature panels were integrated with the concrete, and new lighting, signage and landscaping completed the pick-up and drop-off area.
- Role
- General Contractor
- Location
- Downtown Vancouver
- Setting
- Active commercial environment
- Concrete
- Planters, seating, detailing
- Millwork
- Oak seating and feature panels
- Also
- Lighting, signage, landscaping
Architectural concrete planters along the drop-off lane 
Oak millwork seating beside the concrete planters 
The entrance approach with new planters 
Planter detail in the drop-off area 
Concrete planters at the parkade entrance
General contracting
What Crana manages on a commercial project
As general contractor, Crana is responsible for running the construction. Specialist work is carried out by qualified trades and consultants that Crana schedules and coordinates.
Crana manages
- Scope review against the drawings
- Construction scheduling and sequencing
- Site logistics, access and protection of the work area
- Trades on site
- Material ordering and deliveries
- Deficiencies and closeout
Crana coordinates
- Architects, designers and the wider project team
- Structural engineers and other consultants, where required
- Permits and inspections, where applicable
- Concrete, millwork, electrical, mechanical and other specialist trades
- Building and property management requirements, where applicable
Detail
The kind of detail commercial work demands
Commercial projects are judged on the finish, and on how well the work fits around the people using the building. These are the parts of that work Crana has on record, all from Bentall 6.
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Architectural concrete
At Bentall 6, concrete planters and seating elements with contemporary detailing, which depended on precise formwork, placement and finishing.
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Millwork integrated with other trades
Custom oak seating and feature panels fitted to the concrete work at Bentall 6.
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Working in an active environment
Bentall 6 was carried out within an active commercial environment, in one of Vancouver's busiest commercial districts.
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Lighting, signage and landscaping
Brought together with the concrete and millwork into one finished pick-up and drop-off area.
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Sequencing between trades
Concrete, millwork, electrical and landscaping each depend on the work before them. Putting them in the right order is the general contractor's job.
Scope
Commercial work Crana takes on
Crana takes on select commercial construction projects where the scope matches our general contracting and coordination experience. We describe that work by scope rather than by industry.
- Renovations and upgrades
- Renovating or upgrading existing commercial spaces, where new work has to fit the building around it.
- Architectural finishes
- Concrete, millwork and finish details where the quality of the finished surface matters.
- Concrete and structural components
- Concrete and structural elements within a larger scope, built to the architect's and engineer's drawings.
- Public-facing areas
- Entrances and shared spaces, like the Bentall 6 parkade entrance, that tenants and visitors use every day.
- Coordinated multi-trade scopes
- Work that needs concrete, millwork, electrical, signage, landscaping and other trades sequenced together.
Process
How a commercial project runs with Crana
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Discuss Your Project
Tell us about the building, the scope, the drawings and consultants already in place, and your timeline.
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Site Review & Scope
We review the site, access and existing conditions against the drawings, and how the work will fit around the people using the building.
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Pre-Construction & Pricing
Scope, pricing, schedule and sequencing are defined before work starts. Where permits, engineering or consultants are required, Crana coordinates the process as part of pre-construction.
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Construction
Crana runs the site and the schedule, and coordinates trades, deliveries and inspections in the order the work requires.
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Handover & Closeout
A final walkthrough with you and the project team, deficiencies completed, and handover.
Fit
Is Crana the right fit for your commercial project?
Crana suits commercial projects that need a hands-on general contractor rather than a large firm’s scale. That usually means one or more of the following.
- Substantial commercial renovations and upgrades
- Coordinated multi-trade scopes
- Architect- or consultant-led projects that need a general contractor to build them
- Detailed architectural construction: concrete, millwork and finishes
- Downtown or constrained sites, where logistics and sequencing matter
Most of the work Crana is set up to manage is substantial in scope, often beginning around the $150K range.
If you’re not sure whether your project fits, call us and we’ll tell you honestly.
Why Crana
On the record
The facts behind the company, as they stand. Bentall 6 is the commercial project on record; the licence and warranty below are residential. More about Crana
- Established
- 2016
- Founders' experience
- About 50 years combined
- BC Housing
- Licensed Residential Builder #46399
- Memberships
- HAVAN · CHBA
- Home warranty
- Travelers Canada 2-5-10 (residential)
- Commercial GC
- Bentall 6
FAQ
Commercial construction questions
What types of commercial projects does Crana take on?
Select commercial projects where the scope fits our general contracting and coordination experience: renovations and upgrades, architectural concrete and millwork, and coordinated multi-trade work. Our commercial project on record is the Bentall 6 parkade entrance modernization in Downtown Vancouver. If you're not sure your project fits, call us and we'll tell you honestly.
Does Crana work with architects and consultants?
Yes. As general contractor, Crana builds to the architect's and engineers' drawings and coordinates with the consultants and project team throughout construction.
Can Crana manage multiple trades?
Yes. Coordinating trades is the core of a general contractor's role. At Bentall 6 that meant concrete, oak millwork, lighting, signage and landscaping brought together in one finished space.
Does Crana work in occupied or operating buildings?
Bentall 6 was carried out within an active commercial environment downtown. Whether and how work can proceed around a building's users depends on the scope, access and safety requirements. We plan for it during site review and pre-construction.
How early should a general contractor be involved?
Ideally while the drawings are still being developed, so construction input on sequencing, access and cost can be considered before the design is finalized.
Does Crana coordinate permits and inspections?
Where permits, engineering or consultants are required, Crana coordinates the process as part of pre-construction.
How does Crana approach pricing?
Pricing is prepared during pre-construction once the scope and drawings are defined, so you see it before construction starts. We also identify the parts of the scope that carry the most uncertainty.
