Angelo DelZotto built a real estate dynasty from his family’s humble beginnings
On a walk through Mount Hope Cemetery in Toronto, I visited the grave of Angelo DelZotto—a man who left school at 19 and gave up a promising hockey career to dedicate himself to the growth and future of his family’s business, Tridel. Over the past 90 years, Tridel has played a pivotal role in shaping Toronto’s skyline and supporting the city’s expansion.
Ironically—or perhaps poetically—looking north from Angelo’s grave, the former site of the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College has been transformed into a Tridel residential development, completed in 2014—likely guided by the vision of Angelo and his two brothers.
The story begins in 1927, when Angelo’s father, Jack DelZotto, immigrated to Canada from Northern Italy. A determined young stonemason, he founded Del-Zotto Construction seven years later, building both his family and his business from their home at 115 Lappin Avenue in Toronto’s west end—a home I had the chance to visit.
Note the beautiful brickwork on 115 Lappin Avenue done by the hands of Jack DelZotto which is still standing the test of time.
Eventually, Jack welcomed his three sons into the business, each taking on a vital role. The family rebranded the company as Tridel, a nod to the “tri” of the three DelZotto brothers: Angelo, Elvio, and Leo. In 1961, Angelo oversaw the construction of the company’s first major apartment complex in Etobicoke, featuring twin towers and recreational amenities. This development planted the seed that would grow Tridel into the premier luxury condominium developer in the Greater Toronto Area.
Some of Tridel’s landmark projects today include The Well in King West, Ten York in the downtown core, Bayside Toronto on the waterfront, Hullmark Centre in North York, and Bloor & Avenue – No. 10 Bellair. From humble beginnings on Lappin Avenue to some of Toronto’s most coveted addresses to another great Italian- Canadian success story.
The Well
Angelo Nicolas DelZotto, former Chairman of Tridel, died in Toronto on July 31, 2020. He was 89.
1930-2020
