Founded in 1985, Colonnade BridgePort is a full-service real estate management platform that includes property management and leasing, development management, investment management and asset management. Headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, the company expertly handles a diverse portfolio of over 170 properties, encompassing over 2,000 tenants and 13 million square feet of office, industrial, retail, multi-residential and mixed-use spaces. Their team of 150 professionals delivers exceptional real estate services, aiming to maximize asset performance and exceed client expectations. 

“Our company has been in business for more than 35 years,” said Russ Freestone, property manager, Colonnade BridePort. “We’re now managing a diverse portfolio across Ontario and Atlantic Canada, including office spaces, industrial facilities, retail stores, and high-end apartments. Our commitment to quality and client satisfaction has always driven our progress.” 

At its three mixed-used Ottawa properties housing 600+ residential units, 10 ground-floor retail units and 149,000 square feet of office space, the company required a solution to centralize security operations, effectively monitoring public spaces, while also ensuring the privacy of tenants in their individual spaces. Additionally, the security system had to be intuitive and straightforward for all users to operate. 

“We strive to create a safe, trustworthy environment for our tenants,” said Sara Chiumera, property manager, Colonnade BridePort. “If incidents happen, we have objective video evidence to provide a fair response and hold people accountable.” 

Colonnade BridgePort worked with Mikala Telecom and Network Solutions to choose the proper solution. Ultimately, Colonnade BridgePort chose Verkada for its intuitive, cloud-based security solutions that simplify management and enhance tenant safety. The cloud-based Command platform offers features like Person of Interest (POI) alerts and easy video sharing, which are critical for real-time security management. The integration of Verkada’s cameras — including multisensor and fisheye models — has enabled the company to maintain a high level of security in a privacy-sensitive manner. 

“Their biggest problem was just centralizing,” said Darryl Rancourt, general manager, Mikala Telecom and Network Solutions. “They had a lot of small systems that were all over the place, and they did not have a lot of IT support. So the ease-of-use of Verkada’s solution made their life so much simpler.” 

Freestone added, “We needed a security solution that matched our high standards of property management. Verkada supports not only safety, but also operational efficiency.” 

Having an integrated camera system allows the property managers to keep tabs on various activities from a single pane of glass. The team can monitor multiple properties from a viewing station, mobile app, or web browser, allowing them to be in multiple places at once. In administrative offices, viewing stations stream up to 300 camera feeds on one screen. The ease of accessing footage from a web-based browser or mobile app has also reduced the time spent on investigating and responding to incidents. 

“We can remotely manage properties and respond quickly to any incidents from a phone or computer,” Chiumera said. “Finding, saving and sharing footage takes just a few clicks.” 

Freestone added, “The transition to Verkada marked a significant leap in our operations. We’ve reduced overhead costs while strengthening our security protocols, setting a new standard for our organization.” 

Hybrid cloud cameras eliminate the need for external storage (including digital or network video recorders) and reduce capital expenses related to server upkeep and outdated hardware. Instead, footage is kept onboard the camera itself and can be saved to unlimited cloud-based storage for simplified incident management. Products are protected by warranties of up to 10 years and technical support is available 24/7 to find simple resolutions to any issues, helping maintain their investment over time. 

“Beyond just responding to incidents, we’re doing our best to stay ahead of them,” Chiumera said. “The system’s proactive alerts and detailed insights help us reinforce safety and compliance." 

With Verkada, Colonnade BridgePort can proactively detect, take action, and mitigate any potential security risks. AI-powered search and real-time monitoring help validate that safety protocols are observed and that environments are maintained for tenants, visitors, and staff. 

“Colonnade BridgePort is great,” Rancourt said. “We can be open and honest and say, ‘This is an issue.’ We’re very good at working together. I don't like to point fingers and say it’s your fault to a customer. It’s not. It’s our fault until it’s fixed.” 

Colonnade BridgePort is enthusiastic about the potential of integrating more Verkada products into their operations, including license plate recognition (LPR) and air quality sensors. As the company continues to grow and expand its real estate portfolio, Verkada’s innovative solutions will play a crucial role in ensuring the security and efficiency of their operations. 

“Even for our social rooms and open access areas, having the ability to detect vaping through air quality sensors and verify that with cameras would be invaluable,” Chiumera added. 

Verkada has not only met the immediate needs of Colonnade BridgePort but has also provided a scalable solution that grows with the company, providing long-term security and operational success. 

“We’re looking to expand within their organization,” Rancourt said. “Right now we work with one group of property managers, but they’re starting to refer us within their organization. That’s always — to me — the best reaction you can get from a customer. If you can get a referral, then you know that you’ve treated them properly and fairly.”