Jardon Group is a construction practice founded in 2018 by Brian Donovan, built on a vision to deliver tier 1 expertise through a nimble, hands-on model. Specialising in complex commercial and community developments across Victoria, Jardon bridges high-end construction capability with personalised client service—consistently delivering certainty and value. Currently collaborating with Fortis on their first project, 122 Moray in South Melbourne, we sat down with Founder, Brian Donovan, to discuss the group’s philosophy, the industry shifts shaping commercial construction, and the values that continue to guide his success.
Q—Brian, can you please tell us a little about Jardon Group?
A—Jardon Group was founded in 2018 by Brian Donovan, built on a vision to deliver Tier 1 expertise through a nimble, hands-on delivery model. With over two decades of industry experience, Brian assembled a team of professionals who are passionate about quality, collaboration and innovation. We specialise in complex commercial and community developments across Victoria, with a focus on delivering certainty and value for our clients. Jardon was created to bridge the gap between high-end construction capability and deeply personalised client service—and that’s exactly what we do.
Q—How would you describe the underlying philosophy of Jardon Group?
A—Our philosophy is simple: Build Together. It’s a 360-degree approach that enables us to see a project from every angle—safety, quality, value, community, and client aspirations. We collaborate early, communicate often, and deliver consistently. With a strong focus on live environments and complex builds, we pair Tier 1 systems with director-led involvement to ensure certainty without compromise. Every decision we make is grounded in respect, transparency, and the drive to exceed expectations. That’s the Jardon way.
Q—What are some of the biggest industry trends and/or changes you’re noticing at the moment?
A—Rising costs and interest rates have pushed clients to seek deeper value and risk mitigation earlier in the project lifecycle. Across commercial construction, we’re seeing a shift toward earlier contractor involvement (ECI), leveraging the builders strong community of sub-contractors and suppliers to ensure availability of the most cost-effective products, efficient service and advanced technologies in the market are part of the design from the get go. We’re also seeing a rise in demand for adaptive re-use projects to optimise existing assets. Alternative housing strategies such as the land lease community model that aligns with affordability and demographic shifts across Australia continue to evolve and are a step in the right direction for housing affordability.
Q—What would you consider the most important stage of a project? Why?
A—The design and procurement stage is absolutely critical—it sets the tone for everything that follows. This is where buildability, budget, sub-contractor section and vision must align. From the onset, it is critical that we place an emphasis on letting early and smart, we help de-risk the process for clients by resolving key issues before they impact site operations. It’s also the stage where the most value can be unlocked—whether through design efficiencies, programme planning, sub-contractor selection or stakeholder integration. Get this stage right, and the rest of the project flows with greater certainty.
Q—Jardon Group and Fortis have recently collaborated on their first major project in South Melbourne. Why do you think our two businesses work so well together?
A—Fortis and Jardon are aligned in our values, standards, and approach. Both teams bring depth of experience, a strong design lens, and a shared focus on quality and delivery.
The South Melbourne collaboration has been a true partnership—driven by clear communication, mutual respect, and a joint commitment to excellence. Fortis’ vision for creating premium commercial spaces aligns perfectly with our expertise in complex urban builds. Together, we’ve created something special—and we’re only just getting started.
Q—At the end of a project, what does success look like for you?
A—For us, success is measured by what happens after handover. If the end-user can move in on day one without disruption, if the client is proud to occupy or lease the space from week one, and if the building performs from month one—that’s success. Zero defects, happy tenants, and positive feedback from neighbours and stakeholders. When our work speaks for itself and leads to repeat business or referrals, we know we’ve done our job well.
Jardon Group is a Melbourne-based construction practice built on the philosophy of “Build Together”. Specialising in complex commercial and community projects, the team combines tier 1 expertise with a hands-on, director-led approach to deliver certainty, quality and value. Through early collaboration, transparent communication and a commitment to innovation, Jardon Group consistently creates outcomes that exceed expectations and stand the test of time.
