Aqualina at Bayside receives LEEDS Platinum

As the flagship condominium residence in the master-planned Bayside Toronto Community, Aqualina at Bayside continues to elevate the standard of waterfront living in Toronto. The 13-storey residence, which completed construction in 2019, has received LEED Platinum Certification, a first for a high-rise condominium in Toronto.

“For 20 years Waterfront Toronto has pursued new standards in sustainability and innovation in building complete communities. We are proud to have first introduced LEED environmental buildings standards to the Toronto market, which have now been adopted by developers across the Greater Toronto Area,” says Meg Davis, Chief Development Officer, Waterfront Toronto. “Congratulations to Hines and Tridel for bringing the first LEED Platinum multi-unit residential high-rise to Toronto. Waterfront Toronto appreciates their commitment to environmental sustainability in Bayside, and across their developments,” adds Davis.

Nearly a decade has passed since Hines was named the master developer of Bayside Toronto, following an international competition by Waterfront Toronto. Hines brought Canada’s leading condominium developer Tridel on as its exclusive residential development partner at Bayside. Aqualina was the first of the four residential projects onsite to launch, and completed occupancy last year. Intentions to pursue LEED Platinum were stated in 2017. Hines was among the earliest supporters of the LEED program in North America, having developed over 102 million square feet (9.4 million m2) of LEED Certified, pre-certified and registered properties in six countries.

“The world has taken note of Waterfront Toronto’s unprecedented 2,000-acre revitalization plan. With the Bayside Community we’ve remained focused on delivering one of the preeminent waterfront communities in the world. Sustainability has been a core value since the inception of our master-plan and we have taken a site-wide approach to energy conservation,” says Avi Tesciuba, Senior Managing Director, Hines Canada.

Tridel has established a reputation as Canada’s leading environmentally-responsible, green residential developer earning several industry awards and distinctions for its Built Green Built for Life approach. As the largest LEED-certified high-rise developer, Tridel’s condominiums comprise 25 per cent of all residential LEED projects across the GTA.

Tridel’s Director of Innovation and Sustainability, Adrian Wang says that Platinum Certification is a significant achievement for the Bayside team. Not only does it mark a first for Toronto, but Aqualina is the second multi-residential project in all of Canada to achieve the designation.

“It’s a remarkable accomplishment, and especially gratifying to achieve LEED Platinum as a condominium residence,” says Wang. “Energy conservation is a crowning feature of Aqualina and the entire Bayside Community. Our collective efforts translate to a healthier, more sustainable community for residents and the city, and the financial savings are passed on to our purchasers. Because of our site-wide approach at Bayside, we’re well positioned to replicate our success at Aquavista, Aquabella and Aqualuna.”

The LEED Canada, Green Building Rating System revolves around key parameters spanning a range of factors, including: Sustainable Sites, Materials and Resources, Water Efficiency, Design Innovation, Indoor Environmental Quality, Energy and Atmosphere and Regional Priority. Among the innovations contributing to Aqualina’s platinum certification are a site-wide water filtration system, sustainable procurement practices and discerning material choices. All LEED certifications are administered by the Canadian Green Building Council.

“We congratulate the Aqualina at Bayside for achieving LEED Platinum—a first for a multi-residential high-rise in Toronto. A part of the Hines master-planned Bayside Toronto Community, the Aqualina project plays an important role in the site’s transformation to a vibrant, mixed-use community,” says Thomas Mueller, President & CEO, Canada Green Building Council. “As the first condominium residence in Bayside, Hines and Tridel’s Aqualina includes solar panels for renewable energy generation, and water-efficient plumbing fixture. Beyond environment, Aqualina leverages the holistic approach of green building by improving residents’ well-being through a healthy indoor environment, and amenities that encourage enjoyment of the outdoors. Aquafina is an example of what sustainable residential living should be across Canada.”

For more info, visit hines.com or tridel.com