From the very beginning, Empresa Properties has been guided by a clear vision: to create purpose-built rental housing that strengthens neighbourhoods rather than merely occupying space within them. Founded in 2015 by Karl Robertson, the company focuses on multiresidential infill developments across Vancouver Island, with an emphasis on walkable, communityoriented projects in and around Victoria. Karl’s path into development was shaped by both formal education and family legacy. After graduating from the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business with a focus on entrepreneurship, he gained hands-on experience with a local development company, learning the fundamentals of real estate development. “I had a deep passion for real estate development,” Karl says. “But more than that, I had a drive to create something meaningful.” That motivation was reinforced by Karl’s grandfather, a first-generation Estonian immigrant who arrived in Canada with very little and went on to leave a lasting mark on Vancouver’s skyline. “He came with nothing and built a legacy that still resonates today,” Karl explains. Inspired by European design, his grandfather introduced balcony-forward residential buildings to Vancouver – an approach that was uncommon in North America at the time. “He saw something in Europe and thought, ‘Why can’t we do that here?’” That same mindset underpins Empresa’s approach today. “We want to build housing that doesn’t just fit into a community, but actually enhances it,” Karl says. “It’s not just about how a building looks – it’s about how it functions and how it improves daily life for the people who live there.” From the outset, Empresa has specialized in FEBRUARY 2026
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