Q and A with Tariq Adi, CEO of Adi Development Group

Adi Development Development Group recently went before the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) to appeal objections from the City of Burlington over Adi’s proposed 26-storey, 240-unit Nautique condo in downtown Burlington. Finally, after a year of delays, the project is proceeding.

NextHome spoke with President and CEO Tariq Adi to explore the issues and the experience, and what’s next for the company.

NextHome: What were the City of Burlington’s key objections in opposing the original proposal for Nautique?

Tariq Adi: With innovation and change comes resistance. This was a classic case of NIMBYism, which is becoming the largest contributor to eroding affordability in the GTA. The public needs to take up the affordability conversation with their local council, and it should centre around granting faster approval times to allow more people access to homes today, that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford two to three years from now.

The main objections were that the building was too tall. Too tall for whom? And better yet, why? We found out there was a handful of militant NIMBYs, fueled by a disconnected councilor, against change, growth and economic stimulus. Classic example of politics over common sense and the betterment of the future vision for the city. From a planning perspective, there were zero negative impacts from the building on the surroundings.

NH: How significant a victory is it for Adi Developments, winning the appeal?

TA: It’s amazing! A decisive victory. Nautique will change downtown for the better for years to come.

NH: How is Adi Developments altering the plan for Nautique, based on the OMB process and feedback from Burlington?

TA: There were no changes to the plan. It was approved as submitted.

NH: What is the status of your 64 Prince Arthur project in Yorkville in Toronto, which also went to the OMB?

TA: We are currently working with staff and the neighbourhood and are making great progress. This will be one of the most anticipated projects and will be a true game changer in our industry.

NH: What were the issues with this project?

TA: Similar to Nautique. However, the neighbourhood “silent majority” wants to see this building built. It’s cutting edge, and there’s nothing like it in the entire country, let alone the city.

NH: And your other Toronto project – 135 Portland St. Where is that in the process?

TA: We are working diligently with staff. We always look for ways to get as much input into the development process as possible. As community builders and leaders, we need to help shape and mould the vision for vibrant and thriving cities and communities. We had strong neighbourhood support for the project. We are optimistic we’ll have support for our revised proposal. We always get calls on our projects in advance, as we pick the best locations and think through every detail of design and architecture. This has always been and always will be an Adi staple.

NH: OMB is transitioning to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal. How do you anticipate the development review process will change under this new system?

TA: Developers are going to be more selective in where they build as they become more sensitive to the neighbourhoods. Taking on planning risk will require second thought. Land is going to get very expensive, which will put more pressure on pricing. With any application, you always need to consider urban design and planning context. You can’t jam a 50-storey tower in a subdivision. The end result will ultimately be the same. We’re just adding in an extra wasted step of going back to council. It’s a scary thought that municipalities are going to have that much power. Only time will tell how that ends up.

NH: And of your projects underway, such as Stationwest in Burlington, how is that doing?

TA: Stationwest is going great! Servicing is well underway with virtual construction to start soon. It’s a huge project and all being built at once. There are a handful of choice suites and townhomes left that we recently released. A community such as Stationwest and The West by the GO Station comes only once in a lifetime. We made sure we created a vibrant community with a three-acre park that is a stone’s throw from the train.

Link 1 recently closed, and Link 2 is nearing completion. The community turned out beautifully. Nestled against Bronte Creek, it’ll truly stand as a gem and a landmark community. We’ve also recently done a final release there, so there are a few great suites available for immediate occupancy.

NH: Sounds like pretty exciting times for Adi Developments. What’s next for the company?

TA: We have a lot of exciting communities in the pipeline and great new initiatives we’re working on. We continue to deliver on our premium brand and focus completely on our customers. Customer centricity with high quality service and delivery are our main focus, and we stand behind all these things. That’s the Adi brand promise. It’s an exciting time for our company, and we are working on some innovative projects. I can’t share too much about some of the new stuff, but I can say they’re getting bigger and more futuristic. Stay tuned!

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