Like father, like son

Father-son reno team bridges gap between contemporary/traditional

Published Sep 18, 2026  •  2 minute read

A third-floor private spa and rooftop entertainment areas are some distinctive features of this Belairbuild townhouse project. The rebuild took two years to complete.

As it turns out, designing and renovation a home can be a lot like writing and performing music. Ask, Sergio Galli, a designer/builder who for more than 40 years has quietly built custom homes while simultaneously touring internationally as a member of Platinum Blonde.

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Living room area

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Says Sergio when asked where his design inspiration comes from:  “It’s like saying where do you get the musical stuff. It’s just something you have, and you have to have the passion for it,” says Sergio, whose band achieved rock’n’roll prominence with such hits as Crying Over You and Hungry Eyes.

Today, when not touring, Sergio can be seen with his son Matthew Galli taking their design-build firm called Belairbuild into the ‘next chapter’, which means combining its decades of construction experience with a more modern approach to luxury residential design.

Courtyard and Zen garden.

“He’s contemporary, I’m traditional,” says Sergio, and together, they represent two generations of custom homebuilding, with a portfolio that spans landmark homes from the company’s early years alongside a new collection of modern residences across the GTA.

And while giving no indication of slowing down, Sergio knows it has come time to hand more of the reins over to his son. “I am still supporting him but he is taking off with it,” says Sergio.

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The hand-off comes as the reno market is rapidly changing. When Sergio started, it was about bringing crafted elegance to luxury estate homes in tony nieighbourhoods like Oakville, Kleinberg and the Bridle Path.

Home theatre room

Now it’s more about renovating and bringing modern, upscale features to places in the city, such as a 1,200 square foot condo downtown or a five-storey luxury townhouse just completed in the King St. W. area.

It’s the townhouse that has been the biggest test of the firm’s mettle, it took two years to complete and had to be rebuilt from the ground up — easier said than done as the location is in a very tight space. The biggest challenge was the outside brick work, masons had only three feet to work with using a very tight scaffold.

Stainless steel staircase

The property contains several unique elements, a stainless steel staircase which winds through the 3400-sq. ft.,five-floor structure; a fully integrated home automation system; private spa featuring cold plunge, suana and steam room; dedicated home theatre; 12-foot ceilings; rooftop entertainment/lounge area; private elevator; and, a detached garage adjacent to a Zen garden.

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Matthew says: “As for me, I love the natural look but it really depends on the person. When you opt for modern and convenience, you lose the soul, but this house has both,” which is accomplished by a unique mix of textures and materials, explains Matthew.

Kitchen

For example, the kitchen counter is made of quartzite. “You pay for it but it represents the best of both worlds, naturally good looking but also long-lasting and durable.”

Matthew says: “I think what sets apart a very nice custom contemporary home from the cookie-cutter ones is really down to the details and the materials and how you put it together.”

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