Current and previous clients
Testimonials and thankyou notes
NATHAN GRIGG
VIC Business Manager / Acor Consultants
Building on a positive and rewarding working relationship with the Monto Projects team on delivering fit-out projects for our clients, it was a relatively straight-forward selection process to choose David Castro and the Monto Projects team to deliver our own fit-out.
As a firm of professional consultants already in the industry, Acor Consultants is a well informed client for the PM team to manage, but we were also heavily involved in design and documentation for our fit-out. This can present a few challenges for the PM, where client representatives can sometimes be in the client role, and sometimes in the consultant role.
David and his team managed our team, and the whole project, with aplomb. The project was delivered on budget, through some of the toughest working restrictions that 2021 could throw up for our contractors and the consultant team alike. The relationship with Monto, with Peck Von Hartel and with Amity Building Group has been forever strengthened through a very successful and enjoyable project delivery.
The project in Rosella’s 1920s “building 6” has included adaptive re-use of existing spaces, construction of new collaborative meeting and work spaces, installation of all new power, lighting and communications infrastructure, and best-in-class adjustable height workstations from Cubespace.
Acor’s Victorian team are very happy with the outcome functionally and aesthetically, and how adaptable it has been to the needs of a very tech savvy and evolving workforce. I can’t recommend David’s team highly enough.
SAM PINCHBECK
General Manager / David Jones
“We needed a project management group that would keep a laser focus on program and budget, but also be agile and have the systems to deal with changes. Monto quickly became our trusted partner, the team - David and Karen, brought the project home on time and well under budget.
It was a complex and challenging project; shortfalls in the base buildings, our new R&D kitchen added midway through the program, contractual complexities and other issues added to the mix. Monto Projects’ expertise, foresight and leadership meant these issues were effectively dealt with, significantly contributing to the success of the project. I wholeheartedly recommend Monto Projects as a trusted partner.”
SAMANTHA PEARCE
People Development Manager / ICD Property
“Being a property developer, we thought we could cleverly design and project manage our own office refit, seriously, we’re in the game – how hard could it be? We had to learn the hard way – three months in and senior management could not agree. That’s when the call went out for help.
At ICD Property, we enjoy working with like-minded consultants and knew we had a partner in David and his team.
David delivered the project from beginning to end. He has a wealth of knowledge about every phase and guided us through the journey adding his practical, architecture know-how to deliver a beautifully modern, fun, open plan office reflecting our personality and culture. We are extremely satisfied and would highly recommend their services where partnership, design, quality, and trust is valued.”
GRAEME SCANNELL
Head of Workplace Experience
“Monto Projects have delivered the last 4 major projects for MYOB including our 3500m2 Sydney tenancy spread over three levels and most recently our 6,000m2 HQ spread over 4 levels. They have consistently delivered successful projects during which they have been my crutch and confidant.
Focusing on the most recent project that they delivered for MYOB HQ in Cremorne, they supported me in creating a clear project scope that ensured we stretched the norms, exceeded the brief and delivered a workplace strategically aligned to our needs in both function and technical integration. Following the project scoping, Monto delivered a procurement methodology that ensured we got the best value for money whilst managing specification and facilitating the inevitability of change. Monto’s rigorous and effective tender process assembled a high calibre project team across all disciplines and I can honestly say that in my 20+ years of being involved in projects across the world, this team was special.
By bringing Monto on early we were able to complete a full review of the base building and they ensured effective base build integration saving us a lot of time and money. They achieved this by representing myself and MYOB at the developers PCG meeting’s and through early coordination with the demands of our design intent, integrated soft slabs (to enable stair penetration during our fit out), sky signage and aligned the base build building services (AC, fibre, fire, etc) to MYOB’s exacting needs.
As we approached the fit out we had to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and the entire fit out phase occurred during lockdown. This required an active and continuous evolution of how the project was procured, managed and constructed to facilitate the everchanging material availability and local restrictions such as physical distancing and evolving health & safety considerations. Additionally we undertook a deep analysis of how Covid could likely impact the workplace after the pandemic and integrated various evolutions to the design. As a testament to the successful project delivery, the project has gained a lot of media exposure across various channels including TV, newspapers and social media.
Thank you Monto, David, Karen, Wayne and Choi; see you on the next one!!”
SEAN FERNANDO
General Manager- Corporate Services / United Energy and MultiNet Gas
“Our business experienced exponential growth and our space was just not adequate. We needed an expert, aligned with our values and processes. David was recommended for our new Corporate office fit out and it became apparent that we had made the right choice.
David and his team embedded themselves to gain a complete understanding of our business. The project was delivered on time and on budget with a design quality our team loves!
David continued with more projects including a very technical and technology heavy Network Control Centre (controls our electricity and gas network for over 800,000 sites).
The NCC had to be constructed to withstand security threats and power shutdowns. The focus on this project was intense with major financial penalties if delayed. Again, David achieved above and beyond.
I would highly recommend David and his team; as Project managers with their ability and expertise are hard to find.”
The owners
388 Elizabeth and 566 Elizabeth St Melbourne
“David Castro delivered our new development in Central Melbourne. This has included effective communication with architects, surveyors, services consultants, structural/civil engineers, planning authorities and legal firms in the formative stage. He represented us at all stages of the tendering process and then the contractual relationship with the successful builder.
This included a commendable attention to detail and a very effective program of cost control. At all stages we have been properly informed and consulted on all issues.
Our project was complicated by the need to preserve and underpin a substantial brick structure as well as communicating with the adjoining building site of a 60 story multi-residential development.
We are emphatically satisfied with the services provided to bring our project to a successful conclusion and would have no hesitation in recommending Monto Projects as project managers.”
HENRY SANTIKA
Associate Director
“We needed someone to help us to manage and deliver our project until completion. We appointed Albert and Choi from Monto Projects because of their expertise. Albert with his skill as project manager with construction and architectural background along with Choi with his architectural degree and fit-out detail experience have provided a valuable input for our projects.
We are glad to have them in our team and they make our life easier by having effective communication with the builder, consultants and local authorities whilst dealing with tricky situations with change of regulations. They are happy to go the extra mile outside their scope of work to ensure the project is successful and deliver on time.
We gladly recommended Monto projects as project manager.”
Melanie Sheard
Co-founder - Imbue Distillery |Wander North
“We wanted a really inviting tasting room to showcase our products but we didn’t really know where to start - particularly with such a small space and tight budget/time-line!
Monto Projects leveraged their relationships and secured amazing value for money solutions. They designed joinery to use all the plywood with no wastage, in fact value adding, as the hexagonal pattern offcuts became our drink coasters.
The island bench was a single piece of porcelain with a marble pattern, and as this didn’t need cutting, was most cost effective.
David and Albert helped us to create much more than just a beautiful space – through the design they’ve been able to set a welcoming and warm tone which perfectly features our product in beautiful but functional shelving and we can create our cocktails at the integrated bar with ease.
Customers and colleagues can come together and “Wander North” with us in this space and we are really grateful to Monto for fulfilling the pressure point of our brief.”
MARIE TURNER
Director and Company Secretary / Mitsubishi Australia
“We were expanding at our current home at 120 Collins St, one of Melbourne’s premium buildings. It was also an opportunity to refresh our tired fit out. We had challenges; such staying in occupation, integrating base building upgrade and constructing a feature staircase.
David developed a delivery strategy allowing us to remain in occupation as well as negotiated an extra $250K from the landlord and got the best value and quality outcomes.
Our new office needed to last another 10 years which means changes. We called on David to help us again as well as delivering our new office in Sydney. David clearly communicated progress from a time and cost basis. David has proven from the start that he will do everything he can to make a project a success.”
Kylie Airs
EA to the Group CEO – Tamas Szabo
“Pepperstone had moved into a new, larger office 2 years prior to engaging Monto. We hadn’t made the office quite feel like home and it was time for a refurb!
We had a lean budget and good idea on what we wanted to achieve. Monto assisted us with bringing our vision to life by engaging the best consultants and keeping a keen eye on costs and value adding.
Covid threw us a few curve balls, but they did an amazing job with the brief they were given.
Our Melbourne staff are very impressed and one member even commented that they would like to sleep at the office they love it that much.
Thanks team Monto”
Dr Sandro DemAio
CEO - Victorian Health Promotion Hub (VicHealth)
“David (and team),
I wanted to write and say an enormous thank you for your incredible hard work, dedication and collaboration in delivering us our world-class office space and the Victorian Health Promotion Hub.
It has been a pleasure working with you and your team throughout the process. You always listened carefully, supported fully and delivered outstandingly.
The process of designing a new space and hub for Victoria is an enormous responsibility for any CEO and their leadership team. Even more so when delivering for government. But knowing we had an honest, experienced and professional partner in you and Monto made a huge difference.
Generations of VicHealth staff, and Victorians, will now benefit from your hard work in delivering a fabulous outcome.
Thank you again,
Sandro”
MICHAEL ANDERSON
Real Estate & Facilities Manager – Australia and Asia Pacific / Wood Group PSN
“David Castro worked with Wood Group PSN in delivering our APAC headquarters in Melbourne. The project was particularly challenging due to the size, 6,000sqm and timeframe; 16 weeks from project initiation with 11 weeks on site.
David drove the project to achieve outcomes that met our global standards as well as being uniquely Melbourne. This project was delivered so well that we adopted some outcomes into the global standards as a result!
His knowledge and passion for achieving solutions as well as maintain the overall picture was crucial. David wasn’t afraid to challenge us, but also understood our core values which was intrinsically linked to all key decisions. The project team of consultants and contractors all respected his knowledge, attention to detail and ability to drive the team forward.”
chris sibree
General Counsel | Company Secretary @ CyberCX
“Great work David Castro and MONTO Projects - CyberCX is thrilled with our new Melbourne HQ, which wouldn’t have been realised as well without your hard work, persistence and calm and considered approach in a year that threw everything at us! Thanks”
“Monto Projects were recommended to CyberCX as independent Project Managers. Right from the start it was evident that the team was here to look after our interests throughout the project.
We had secured 2,076m2 over a floor and half at 330 Collins St as our new corporate Head Quarters and tech hub. The challenge we faced was that CyberCX only commenced operations in Q1 2019 as a merger of cyber security companies, so there was little precedence on the requirements. We knew that we wanted a Secure Operations Centre, an executive area and some tech zones, but all other requirements were to be determined.
During the design process, Monto Projects worked with our teams to create the brief and brought the consultants into the mix. Being a cyber security company, we needed zones 2 & 3 security requirements as defined by Security Construction and Equipment Committee (SCEC). So many issues were coordinated and captured such as security mesh over ductwork, no data cables outside of the leased controlled area and enhanced security doors.
As we were about to commence on site, the initial wave of COVID-19 hit so we hit the brakes to put the project on hold for a couple of months, however even during this pause period, Monto Projects worked for us throughout, refining and clarifying issues, they even managed to secure a $30K discount from the head contractor as part of the negotiations.
When we restarted, the project was reviewed with a fresh pandemic perspective and we realised we needed further density and a replan of certain areas. Monto Projects was with us all the way through and continually negotiated with the contractors, landlords and building surveyor, limiting the impact of these changes.
The continually evolving COVID-19 restrictions required this project to be delivered remotely, Monto Projects expertise in the use of technology platforms enabled a seamless process and ensured our national teams always felt informed.
This was a very tough project on so many fronts, Monto Projects was always in control and successfully delivered for CyberCX, in fact setting the benchmark for our other offices in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.
As testament to their professionalism and expertise, CyberCX have continued the relationship with Monto Projects, engaging them for an exciting future focussed project that will be a world first….watch this space!”
NICK WELLS
Chief Financial Officer / JB Hi-Fi Group
“The challenge we set for Monto Projects was our JB Hi-Fi mantra of ‘best value for money’. We wanted to unpack all aspects of the project and have a trusted partner to keep us informed, whilst maintaining program, design and brief.
Monto Projects made sure they were always across the detail and anticipated issues which included design, services, structure, building regulations, landlord, costs and procurement. We could always rely on expedient responses from Monto Projects and we valued their judgement and expertise.
We have no hesitation in recommending Monto Projects as they have proven to us they will get the job done!”
Chris Glass
Director - Property Bank Australia
“Property Bank Australia was involved in the ownership of Building 8, 658 Church Street, Richmond.
In early 2016, four of the six floors were becoming vacant. Being domiciled in Western Australia, we were in need of a reliable and respected project manager on the ground in Melbourne. David Castro was recommended to us, the rest is history and we never looked back !
The buildings were in need of refurbishment and the services in need of upgrade. David and his team quickly understood our brief and requirement, contributed towards their enhancement, recommended a panel of independent consultants and proceeded to tender the various works. A builder was appointed and the end project was delivered on time and within budget. In addition to managing this project, we also engaged David to oversee the tenants’ fit-outs on our behalf.
The end result was a fully leased office building that had been substantially refurbished and upgraded which subsequently sold for a record breaking yield.
David made a significant contribution towards achieving this result and proved to be both commercially and technically very proficient, highly disciplined and organised, dedicated and committed, trustworthy and an absolute pleasure to work with and have as part of our team.
We have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending David and his team as a most suitable and reliable project manager.”
ADRIA MCGLAMERY, PMP
Project Manager - Global Workplace Solutions / Red Hat, Inc.
“We are a multinational company based in the US with offices all over the world. RED HAT has global standards with stakeholders from the US, United Kingdom, Singapore and India. Working remotely means we rely heavily on the expertise of local project managers to deliver projects successfully.
David and his team achieved all this and more. Communication was succinct, always transparent and solution driven.
We were impressed with the cloud-based project portal setup allowing access to the latest documents rather than relying on emails. Progress reports and photos were uploaded, keeping us informed on a daily basis even though we were in the US!
David represented our interests to the Building owners and made sure that any integration was of the highest standard and didn’t compromise the RED HAT project.
Out of all the projects we manage internationally, the RED HAT Melbourne project was one of the most successful.”
Gayle A Leslie
Head of Real Estate - Global Synergies / Workplace & Sustainability
“Thank you David Castro It is one I will never forget either. Was an absolute joy to work with you and team at the time! Maybe one day we will work together again.”
NICK ACKER
Commercial Executive / Woolworths Holdings
”The project was particularly well managed. I really enjoyed the weekly updates that Karen sent out, my view is always that the success of any project is communication and associated coordination.
She really did that well, I felt in the picture all the time and I can only imagine that the guys at the sharp end must have been so much better equipped. All that remains to be said is ‘Congratulations on a well-run project’”