Gordon S. Shipp, left, with son Harold, stand in front of the Applewood Landmark and Applewood Place in 1977. Photo courtesy of the Shipp Corporation.
Roger E. Riendeau, an accomplished author, highlighted the Shipp Corporation in his book, Mississauga, An Illustrated History published by Windsor Publications in co-operation with the Mississauga Board of Trade in 1985. With permission of Mr. Riendeau, his story follows:
Shipp Corporation is one of the few businesses that can truly make the claim that it built Mississauga. When the late Gordon S. Shipp founded the company in 1923, the construction of custom housing in Toronto was a central activity. Now, more than sixty years later, Shipp Corporation has a hand in virtually every aspect of construction. From the original single-family homes, through substantial multi unit residential buildings, to office towers and other commercial units.
Three generations of Shipp perfectionists have built an enviable reputation for quality into their work. One brick bearing the name Shipp-Built is part of every building as a signature of pride in craftsmanship.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Harold G. Shipp (son of the founder) notes: “Few developers build under their own name-that’s why you get companies such as ABC Developments or EG Builders. We’re proud of the work we do. Why not let others know who stands behind their product?”
Shipp’s first venture into what was later to become Mississauga took the form of a purchase of 200 acres of land in Toronto Township in 1951. Father and son envisioned an entire subdivision on the property at a time when the area was considered too remote in relation to the city of Toronto. Financing was difficult to obtain.
But eventually the challenges were met, and within four months plans were approved, an infrastructure was built, and the first furnished model home was completed-with an attached garage, of course, for it was assumed that anyone venturing to live that far out of Toronto would need to commute by car.
Today this Applewood Acres area is still known as one of the largest and most successful residential areas constructed by a single builder. Homes that originally sold for $12,800 are now on the market at well over $100,000.
“Applewood” has become a trademark for Shipp-built residences. No longer limited to communities of single-family homes, the name appears on apartment buildings, condominiums, townhouses, and even an automobile dealership, Applewood Chevrolet Oldsmobile.
The latter part of the 1970s witnessed a surge of new activities for the company. An initial venture was made into the United States with construction of Shipp’s Landing, a luxury resort condominium complex on the Gulf Coast at Marco Island, Florida.
At the same time, Shipp was kept busy on a local level, as Mississauga became the fastest-growing suburb of Toronto. The Mississauga Executive Centre, opened in 1979, proved to be a focal point for the area with four office towers, a hotel, and three high-rise apartments.
Shipp has also been active in neighbouring Etobicoke with its landmark construction of the Shipp Centre office tower/shopping concourse in 1981. Negotiations are in progress for another similar Etobicoke commercial project, to be known as Shipp Centre West.