Hines Canada and Tridel have achieved a first for a highrise condo in Toronto – LEED Platinum Certification – at the flagship residence in the master-planned Bayside Toronto Community, Aqualina at Bayside. The 13-storey project was completed in 2020."For twenty years, Waterfront Toronto has pursued new standards in sustainability and innovation in building complete communities," says Meg Davis, chief development officer, Waterfront Toronto. "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. Congratulations to Hines and Tridel for bringing the first LEED Platinum multi-unit residential highrise to Toronto. Waterfront Toronto appreciates their commitment to environmental sustainability in Bayside, and across their developments."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 more than 102 million sq. ft. of LEED-Certified, pre-certified and registered properties in six countries.
Left to right, Director of Innovation and Sustainability at Tridel, Adrian Wang; Aqualina Condo Board President Dave Hamilton; and Hines Canada Vice-President of Construction, Michael J. Gross.
Tridel has established a reputation as one of Canada's leading environmentally-responsible, Green residential developers, earning several industry awards and distinctions for its Built Green Built for Life approach. As the largest LEED-certified highrise 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 highrise 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.tridel.com
"For twenty years, Waterfront Toronto has pursued new standards in sustainability and innovation in building complete communities," says Meg Davis, chief development officer, Waterfront Toronto. "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. Congratulations to Hines and Tridel for bringing the first LEED Platinum multi-unit residential highrise to Toronto. Waterfront Toronto appreciates their commitment to environmental sustainability in Bayside, and across their developments."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 more than 102 million sq. ft. of LEED-Certified, pre-certified and registered properties in six countries.