Our Story
in the words of our founder
"Let me tell you about this time when I fell in love... About one of those romances that sweeps you off your feet.
This was 20 years ago and I had become obsessed - something I had never thought about suddenly became something I couldn’t stop thinking about. From the very first day we met, I started imagining our future together.
I’d fallen in love… with Construction!
After the honeymoon was over, I realised something: that relationship was quite unbalanced, and as it turns out - construction did 𝐧𝐨𝐭 always love me back. I was making endless concessions to try and make it work, but sometimes I felt like I was the only one really making the effort.
I knew that for this to work, something had to change. Construction had to change.
From that day, I was determined to work towards making a change in our industry.
Then it all happened fast. I started my own construction company Urban Core, to make a difference, to make a change in the culture of our industry, to make it more approachable, more transparent, more sustainable, just more!
I want the construction industry to become a welcoming place for both men and women, a safe and happy place – for everyone, and the industry. Because it needs it."
Dominique gill,
Managing director
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Our Business
Urban Core is already defining a new generation in Australian construction. Our team of 50+ professionals comprises 50 percent women and 50 percent men – a major feat in an industry that employs only 13 percent women.
Diverse teams bring different perspectives to every job. They simply build better. We also invest heavily in sustainability – in materials research, waste management and transport. Going green is often just knowing that better alternatives already exist.
As a Head Contractor, we combine experience and expertise with a sharp focus on people to forge strong, lasting partnerships. With annual revenue in excess of $70m and operations in five states, we’ve developed a strong track-record of sustainable, year-on-year growth.
Let us show you the difference of building with Urban Core.
Where we play
Our playground
Workplace
Retail
Hospitality
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Government
Residential
Education
Industrial
Hotels
How we play
ECI
We bring building smarts to your project from day one, spotting opportunities and solving problems before they happen.
Design and construct
Why juggle multiple teams when you can have it all in one place? We're your one-stop shop from napkin sketch to final walkthrough.
Construct only
Got plans? We'll bring them to life! Your blueprint becomes our mission as we roll up our sleeves and transform paper dreams into physical spaces.
Vision & Values
Construction is an industry full of opportunities and its share of challenges: sustainability, regulatory issues, financial climate, technology, skills shortages and diversity. While Urban Core is a force for broad transformation of our industry, we are focusing our immediate impact in the areas of representation and sustainability. We believe the industry is ripe for disruption.
This is why we call ourselves the Next Generation of Construction.
People Centred
People are at the forefront of everything we do. Every part of the built environment is created by people for people. Every investment is a personal investment.
Antifragile
As a female-founded construction company, we are accustomed to being underestimated. Surpassing expectations through resilience has become our signature.
Always Learning
We stay adaptable and humble. We are curious about what we don't know, and generous with what we do know.
Building Beyond Today
Future-proofing our industry means thinking of tomorrow, today. Our R&D in sustainability redefines what's possible in construction.
How we work
At Urban Core, we've reimagined how construction works. Our approach breaks down old walls between sustainability and safety – creating a methodology where these elements naturally strengthen each other. Every project shows how business success and doing the right thing aren't opponents but partners. We're changing industry standards by proving they work better together.
Diversity
It is past time to address the lack of diversity in construction. In an industry where women make up just 12% of the workforce, we've achieved what others claim is impossible: genuine gender parity across our organisation, 50% women and 50% men.
Our commitment extends beyond our walls through NexGen, our groundbreaking non-profit initiative. We send real industry champions into high schools to encourage more young women to choose a career in construction.
This isn't about altruism – it's about competitive advantage. Our team draws elite professionals from 17 nations, spanning far beyond traditional construction backgrounds. Under Managing Director Dominique Gill's leadership – twice recognised with the NAWIC Crystal Vision award – we're proving that diverse teams don't just think differently, they build better.
Sustainability
Our five-pillar strategic framework is more than a sustainability plan – it's our blueprint for transforming construction culture. By committing substantial resources and embedding sustainability in every decision, we're proving that environmental leadership and commercial success go hand in hand.
IMPROVE
We are replacing traditional options with low-carbon alternatives for the highest volume materials, from plasterboard to MDF and low-emission paints.
INNOVATE
We are sourcing entirely new materials and approaches to construction through our R&D partnerships with specialist suppliers and master craftspeople.
INTEGRATE
We are revolutionising both temporary works and client projects through circular economy principles and reimagining business models.
INSPIRE
Through robust governance and bold leadership well beyond carbon footprint, we're demonstrating that radical sustainability is both possible and profitable.
IMPLEMENT
Our comprehensive approach to emissions reduction includes recycling pathways for trade waste, tracking and offsetting landfill emissions, and transitioning to an electric vehicle fleet.
Safety & Compliance
At Urban Core, safety stands as the bedrock of everything we build. It's not about ticking boxes or meeting minimum standards. It's about protecting every life that intersects with our projects.
Our comprehensive Health Safety and Environment (HSE) system represents a living commitment to excellence, powered by cutting-edge platforms like Procore and OneBreadcrumb. This digital integration ensures real-time safety oversight across every project phase.
Each site operates under a custom HSE plan that pushes well beyond legislative requirements. While we maintain a strong safety record, we remain relentlessly focused on improvement. Because in construction, nothing matters more than sending everyone home safely, every single day.