Irwin Brar: The Builder Redefining Affordable Housing in Western Canada

A New Kind of Leader in Construction

When you talk to Irwin Brar, you don’t just hear about buildings. You hear about people, responsibility, and a long family legacy that started long before he launched his own company. Today, as CEO of Apex Construction and COO of Ridge Apartments, Brar is helping shape the future of affordable housing—one project at a time.

“I never planned on becoming a leader in this space,” he says. “I just followed the work my father taught me. The mission grew from there.”

His path wasn’t traditional, but it built the foundation for the kind of leader he is now—steady, community-focused, and deeply involved in the details of his industry.

Early Life: Between Vancouver, Alberta, and India

Brar was born in Vancouver, BC, into an Indian immigrant family. When he was three, his parents moved to Alberta to start their first hotel business. The shift wasn’t easy, but it opened the door to the construction world that would later define his career.

Much of his early childhood was spent in boarding school in India, an experience he says taught him resilience and independence. “You grow up fast in a place like that,” Brar recalls. “It helped me handle pressure before I even knew what pressure was.”

This blend of cultures—Canadian upbringing, Indian schooling, and entrepreneurial family life—shaped his outlook early on.

How a Family Trade Became a Career Vision

Construction wasn’t a corporate decision for Brar. It was a family trade. His father began building houses in 2005 and later expanded into hotels in 2007. Irwin Brar grew up watching job sites, long hours, and quiet problem-solving.

“My dad didn’t teach with speeches,” Brar says. “He taught by doing. If something broke, you fixed it. If a wall wasn’t straight, you corrected it. That stuck with me.”

By the time he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, he had both the academic background and the hands-on experience to run projects with confidence.

In 2018, he launched his own construction company. It wasn’t glamorous in the beginning—just steady work, careful planning, and learning how to lead teams through real-world problems. But it grew fast.

Building 400+ Affordable Homes Each Year

Today, Brar’s company builds more than 400 affordable housing units every year, serving communities across Western Canada. His focus is simple: make homes that regular people can afford and feel proud of.

“Affordable housing doesn’t mean cutting corners,” he says. “It means being smart with design, knowing your materials, and understanding what families actually need.”

He often visits sites personally. He talks to trades workers. He listens to concerns about timelines, budgets, or materials. Those habits come from the early days when he had to do everything himself—and from his father’s example.

People who work with Brar say his calm style sets the tone. Problems don’t become crises. They become part of the job.

And in an industry where pressures are high—from land costs to supply chain swings—this mindset matters.

Leadership Philosophy: Simple, Direct, and Honest

When asked what kind of leader he tries to be, Brar doesn’t offer buzzwords. “I try to stay honest,” he says. “I don’t pretend to know everything. I’m willing to learn from anyone on site.”

He believes leadership is most visible when things go wrong—weather delays, shortages, contract issues. Years of watching his parents navigate the hotel business taught him that the goal isn’t to avoid challenges but to work through them without losing your sense of purpose.

His teams describe him as present but not overbearing. He gives people room to solve problems, but he’s there when solutions stall. “People work better when you trust them,” he adds. “You can’t build anything alone.”

Passion for Cars: A Creative Outlet Beyond Work

Away from construction, Brar has a passion for cars and modification. He buys, builds, and shows them at local car meets.

“For me, cars are a stress relief,” he says. “It’s hands-on. It reminds me of building with my dad. You take something apart, you improve it, and you see the result right away.”

Friends say this hobby mirrors his work philosophy: take something with potential and elevate it through skill, discipline, and creativity.

Giving Back: Community as a Core Value

Brar’s leadership extends beyond business metrics. His family and companies donate significantly each year, supporting local organizations and needs.

They run a monthly food bank drop-off for their community. They also regularly support the local youth foundation in Redcliff, helping young people gain confidence, resources, and hope.

“I grew up watching my parents give, even when we didn’t have much,” he explains. “It’s not about money. It’s about responsibility.”

The Road Ahead

As the demand for affordable housing grows, Brar sees both challenge and opportunity. He wants to build more, innovate more, and stay grounded in the values he learned as a kid—discipline, duty, and community.

“The work is never done,” he says. “Every project teaches you something new. That’s what keeps me going.”

From Vancouver to India to Alberta, from a family trade to an industry leader, Irwin Brar’s journey shows how personal history can shape professional purpose—and how steady leadership can make a real impact on the ground.

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