The leading organization for developers, owners and related professionals in office, industrial and mixed-use real estate, NAIOP, handed out nine awards in Toronto this week, highlighting the best deals made and the most striking – and often green – buildings completed. Here are the ninth annual REX awards winners:
Investment deal
Selection is based on the complexity of the deal; the use of innovative and creative solutions to achieve objectives; the significance of the acquisition to the purchaser, and its impact on the market.
Winner: Commerce West , a two-building complex at 401 and 405 the West Mall in Etobicoke.
Owner: Whiterock REIT & ROI Capital.
Team: Transglobe Investment Management, Goodmans, Bloom & Lanys.
Saturn Integrated Logistics, at 100 Disco Rd., is a state-of-the-art industrial building located one kilometre from Toronto's Pearson airport. The 25-acre brownfield development is built on the site of a former steel foundry.
Industrial lease
Based on the complexity of the deal; the use of innovative and creative solutions to achieve objectives; the significance of the lease to the landlord and the tenant; and its market impact.
Winner: Saturn Integrated Logistics – a new industrial building at 100 Disco Rd. in Etobicoke.
Owner: IGRI Advisors and Cal East Global Investors, advised by LaSalle Investment Management
Team: CB Richard Ellis Limited, Weir Foulds, Colliers International
In this leading green building, slim blades, attached to the RBC Centre's first 10 floors, reduce glare while allowing in maximum daylight.
Green award
Recognizes excellence, innovation and achievement in the area of sustainable real estate projects or practices, initiatives, processes and/or community contributions.
Winner: RBC Centre , 155 Wellington St., Toronto.
Owner: Cadillac Fairview
Team: RBC/RBC Dexia, Colliers International, Kohn Pedersen Fox Architects, B+H Architects, Sweeny Sterling Finlayson & Co. Architects.
Maple Leaf Square, adjacent to the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, mixes two condominium towers with a 10-storey podium that will include office space, a hotel, retail, restaurants and a daycare.
Office lease
Based on the complexity of the deal, the use of innovative solutions to achieve objectives, the significance of the lease to the landlord and the tenant, and its market impact.
Winner: CI Investments Inc. – Maple Leaf Square
Owner: Cadillac Fairview, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, Lanterra Developments
Team: DTZ Barnicke Limited, Straticom Design
Industrial development
Based on quality and functionality, overall impression; leasing and financial performance; innovation and achievement of planning, environmental and community goals.
Winner: AMB Airport Road Distribution Centre
Owner: AMB Property Corporation
Team: Colliers International, CB Richard Ellis Limited, Cooper Construction.
Best office development: The 30-story glass Telus tower, at 25 York St., features 11-foot, floor-to-ceiling glass windows that offer better access to natural light, and individual workstation airflow and temperature controls.
Office development
Based on the quality and functionality; overall impression; leasing and financial performance; innovation; and achievement of planning, environmental and community goals.
Winner: 25 York Street .
Owner: Menkes Union Tower Incorporated.
Team: Menkes Developments, Adamson Associates Architects, Cushman & Wakefield, Sweeny Sterling Finlayson & Co. Architects, Enermodal Engineering.
Developing leaders
Adam Kosoy
, Colliers InternationalNurit Sadowski
, Brookfield FinancialSarah Segal
, CB Richard Ellis Limited
Community service
Andrew Lennox , senior vice-president, real estate, Scotia Bank. He is chairman of the Salvation Army advisory board, Ontario central division, and chairman of the Salvation Army national advisory board.
Lifetime achievement
Murray Goldman, chairman of The Goldman Group. Mr. Goldman started in the real estate business at the age of 23 and has been a real estate broker for more than 50 years. He developed a love for Toronto where he has served as a philanthropist on various boards in addition to pursuing his love of land development.
