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Field House EcoUrban Towns in Toronto’s Regent Park is ahead of the game when it comes to sustainability. Features in The Daniels Corporation project include: solar panels; electric high-efficiency heat pumps; PowerPipe drain water heat recovery; Reversomatic energy recovery ventilators; high performance building envelopes; triple-glazed windows; insulated main entry doors; low-flow faucets and single-flush low-consumption toilets; Smart Meter technology and efficient appliances; LED light fixtures; and electric vehicle charging.IMAGES COURTESY OF THE DANIELS CORPORATION

Greenhouse gas reduction goals are transforming the building industry in the GTA

United Nations scientists say the world’s net emissions must fall to zero by 2050 to limit the rise in global temperatures to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius versus pre-industrial levels. In 2019, the Government of Canada took heed and committed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net zero by 2050. It’s an ambitious goal born out of necessity that has the real estate sector rethinking how it will do business in a post-COVID world.

According to a recent report published by the Canadian Institute for Climate Choices entitled Canada’s Net Zero Future, Finding our Way in The Global Transition, 76 per cent of the energy needs of Canada’s buildings come from fossil fuels such as natural gas or from electricity generated by fossil fuels, producing 73 million tonnes of GHG emissions or 10 per cent of the nation’s emissions.

The facts are even more compelling in the Greater Toronto Metropolitan area where buildings are the city’s largest source of emissions, accounting for about 55 per cent of total community-wide emissions. In 2019, the City of Toronto declared a climate emergency. In July 2021, city council approved a plan with multiple strategies that will be critical to achieving its TransformTO goal to reduce community-wide, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net zero by 2050 or sooner. The plan includes: a Net Zero Existing Buildings Strategy to decarbonize all existing residential, commercial, and institutional buildings within the next 30 years; a Net Zero Carbon Plan to reduce emissions in city-owned buildings; and an update to the Toronto Green Standard to achieve net zero emissions in new development by 2030.

Toronto’s developers lead the race to net zero

With ambitious goals and proposed legislation introduced by the Government of Canada in 2020 called the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, some of Toronto’s leading developers are pushing ahead with their own sustainability efforts. Adam Molson, director of project implementation for The Daniels Corporation, says: “We all see this is where the industry is going. We don’t want to be competing for the specialized skills that are required to build net zero. We’re building the methodology and relationships now, so we are ahead of the game.”

Reaching for new heights, The Daniels Corporation, a developer of low-rise and condominium housing communities, including The Jackson Towns, signalled its commitment to the net-zero movement with Field House EcoUrban Towns in Toronto’s Regent Park. Now completely sold out, the collection of 24 townhomes incorporates innovative construction and lifestyle technologies to lower carbon emissions and support a living experience free of fossil fuels. Notable features in the Field House EcoUrban Towns development include: electric high-efficiency heat pumps; PowerPipe drain water heat recovery; Reversomatic energy recovery ventilators; high-performance building envelopes; triple-glazed windows; insulated main-entry doors; low-flow faucets and single-flush low consumption toilets; Smart Meter technology and efficient appliances; LED light fixtures; and electric vehicle charging.

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For The Daniels Corporation, sustainability doesn’t stop at net zero. “What we learned with the Field House will inform future developments, particularly around our use of rooftop solar to generate the power needed to get to net zero,” Molson says. The company has also embarked on a passive house pilot project and is exploring mass timber as an innovative strategy for replacing concrete, a high emitter of carbon dioxide, with engineered wood alternatives in future developments.

The Daniels Corporation has also partnered with UN-Habitat, the Urban Economy Forum and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC,) and announced The Regent Park World Urban Pavilion in November 2020. The pavilion will be a place from which best practices in building sustainable cities will be projected globally. The pavilion will focus on achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal #11: to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Net zero a hot topic for industry and investors

A relatively new concept, net-zero homes and buildings produce as much clean energy as they consume. The Canadian Home Builders Association estimates they are up to 80 per cent more energy-efficient than typical new homes. Net-zero homes are airtight with insulation built into the exterior walls, ceiling and under the foundation. HVAC systems ensure fresh air is drawn into the building and stagnant air is pushed out. Solar panels are commonly used in net-zero construction to produce clean energy. With some net-zero buildings, electricity is stored on-site to power the home during peak hours or blackouts and for charging electric cars.

At a time when Canada’s economy is looking for ways to rebuild, the race to zero emissions has the potential to open new markets for the real estate sector with new jobs, new products, and endless opportunities for innovation and growth. A new online poll from Ipsos, conducted on behalf of Resource Works and the Task Force for Real Jobs, Real Recovery, shows strong support for natural resource development. Canadians see the sector as important to the economy. According to the poll, roughly approximately 73 per cent of Canadians agree that “investment in Canada’s natural resource sector will help Canada’s post-COVID economic recovery.”

Sustainability gets strategic

Menkes Developments Ltd., one of Canada’s largest privately owned real estate developers, is no stranger to sustainable development. The company has been strategic about its commitment to the environment. Innovation is baked into its philosophy and approach to new and existing Menkes’ buildings. The company hired a director of sustainability and established six sustainability priorities: energy, materials, nature, transportation, water, and well-being.

Menkes’ single-family homes and condominiums feature superior insulation, quality heating and cooling systems, ‘smart’ hydro meters, energy-saving windows and doors, high-pressure low-flow shower heads and faucets, and low VOC (volatile organic compound) paints and adhesives.

The company has already achieved LEED Gold or LEED Platinum in its entire office portfolio. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a green building rating system used worldwide and available for virtually all building, community, and home-project types. Menkes’ sustainable leadership has garnered recognition from the likes of BOMA Toronto (Building Owners and Managers,) BOMA International, LEED Canada, and Fitwell (First in Canada).

Investing in net zero is smart

Molson with The Daniels Corporation says buying into net-zero homes now is a wise investment for the future. “When people are buying a home, especially new construction, it is going to be one of the biggest investments of their lives,” Molson says. “We believe it’s an ideal time to invest in a net-zero home or residence since we know the targets are there and legislation will likely soon follow. With all the benefits of superior comfort, lower energy bills, a low carbon footprint and higher resale value, it’s simply a smart investment.”


Welcome home to The Jackson Towns

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This 12-acre, master-planned community in a ravine setting has all the indoor and outdoor space for families to work, live and play. These luxury three-storey townhomes have spacious layouts inside and feature upgraded details such as engineered hardwood flooring, quartz kitchen countertops and more. Each townhome has two balconies as well as a large terrace for outdoor entertaining. Close to parks and natural amenities, The Jackson Towns in the Keele Street and Eglinton Avenue West area is also steps away from transportation links and urban amenities.IMAGE COURTESY OF THE DANIELS CORPORATION


Advertising feature produced by Globe Content Studio. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved.

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