About Us
"It was a real pleasure working with Blackthorn on the construction of the 'Royal Lounge' at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. The conditions on the site and the complex nature of the project required extensive planning, coordination, and dedication to detail. We wouldn't have been able to achieve our goals without the management extertise of Blackthorn leading the way."
Ed Mirvish
Mirvish Productions
ABOUT US
Blackthorn was founded by Mike Da Silva Sr. in 1987 as a general construction firm, specializing in complex mechanical projects. In 1990, due to the management expertise of the firm, Ed Mirvish gave Mike Da Silva and Blackthorn the opportunity to project manage the construction of the new `Royal Lounge` at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. The project included the underpinning and 25 foot excavation of the existing theatre to make way for a new basement lounge. The Royal Alexandra actually remained on stilts while construction commenced below, all of which was done while Le Miserable played in the theatre on the scheduled show nights. In all, the world renowned project came in on schedule and within the $7,000,000 budget. This was Blackthorn’s first major project management endeavour.
The work at the Royal Alexandra Theatre propelled Blackthorn Management into the field of project management where it has excelled in managing projects in both public and private sector for the last 17 years.
By the mid 2000s, Blackthorn's management team and advisory board made a decision to rebrand Blackthorn solely as an advisory firm, specializing in both project and program management services for public and private clients. Though Blackthorn still has a wealth of construction related experience in house, its main focus is to use this expertise and experience to provide clients with unparallel support in managing their capital projects or programs.
SENIOR MANAGEMENT
Blackthorn's senior team has over 35 years of combined project and program management experience and has expertise in undertaking project and program advisory services in medium and large capital and operational portfolios.
Mike Da Silva Sr., P.GSC
Founder & Principal
Mr. Da Silva has led Blackthorn for the last 22 years. His leadership and direction has led to the successful growth of the firm in several project management fields, including Construction Manager advisory, Construction Manager at Risk, Facilities Advisory, and turn-key capital project solutions. Mr. Da Silva has earned the P.GSC (Professional, Gold Seal Certification) as a project manager through the Canadian Construction Association and has been a guest speaker at George Brown College and Ryerson University. Mr. Da Silva is an active board member of several not-for-profit organizations and foundations..
Michael Da Silva Jr., BAS, MSc, PQS, PLE
Principal
Michael Da Silva Jr. has been with the firm for the last eight years and during this time, has held a number of key management positions. Michael’s educational achievements include a Bachelor in Administrative Studies from York University, a MSc (Master of Science in International Construction Management) from the University of Bath, the PQS (Professional Quantity Surveyor) designation, and a professional designation as a PLE (Professional Land Economist). Michael is also actively involved in the project management community, which includes his part-time commitments as a lecturer and professor of George Brown’s new Bachelor in Construction Science and Management Program. Michael has recently created a partnership deal with Northern College to provide students across Ontario with a Project Construction Executive Management program. This program is accredited by the Canadian Construction Association's Gold Seal Certification Program.
Blackthorn was founded by Mike Da Silva Sr. in 1987 as a general construction firm, specializing in complex mechanical projects. In 1990, due to the management expertise of the firm, Ed Mirvish gave Mike Da Silva and Blackthorn the opportunity to project manage the construction of the new `Royal Lounge` at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. The project included the underpinning and 25 foot excavation of the existing theatre to make way for a new basement lounge. The Royal Alexandra actually remained on stilts while construction commenced below, all of which was done while Le Miserable played in the theatre on the scheduled show nights. In all, the world renowned project came in on schedule and within the $7,000,000 budget. This was Blackthorn’s first major project management endeavour.
The work at the Royal Alexandra Theatre propelled Blackthorn Management into the field of project management where it has excelled in managing projects in both public and private sector for the last 17 years.
By the mid 2000s, Blackthorn's management team and advisory board made a decision to rebrand Blackthorn solely as an advisory firm, specializing in both project and program management services for public and private clients. Though Blackthorn still has a wealth of construction related experience in house, its main focus is to use this expertise and experience to provide clients with unparallel support in managing their capital projects or programs.
SENIOR MANAGEMENT
Blackthorn's senior team has over 35 years of combined project and program management experience and has expertise in undertaking project and program advisory services in medium and large capital and operational portfolios.
Mike Da Silva Sr., P.GSC
Founder & Principal
Mr. Da Silva has led Blackthorn for the last 22 years. His leadership and direction has led to the successful growth of the firm in several project management fields, including Construction Manager advisory, Construction Manager at Risk, Facilities Advisory, and turn-key capital project solutions. Mr. Da Silva has earned the P.GSC (Professional, Gold Seal Certification) as a project manager through the Canadian Construction Association and has been a guest speaker at George Brown College and Ryerson University. Mr. Da Silva is an active board member of several not-for-profit organizations and foundations..
Michael Da Silva Jr., BAS, MSc, PQS, PLE
Principal
Michael Da Silva Jr. has been with the firm for the last eight years and during this time, has held a number of key management positions. Michael’s educational achievements include a Bachelor in Administrative Studies from York University, a MSc (Master of Science in International Construction Management) from the University of Bath, the PQS (Professional Quantity Surveyor) designation, and a professional designation as a PLE (Professional Land Economist). Michael is also actively involved in the project management community, which includes his part-time commitments as a lecturer and professor of George Brown’s new Bachelor in Construction Science and Management Program. Michael has recently created a partnership deal with Northern College to provide students across Ontario with a Project Construction Executive Management program. This program is accredited by the Canadian Construction Association's Gold Seal Certification Program.
Royal Alexandra
- 4 Pictures
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