Waterfront Innovation Centre Earns LEED V4 Platinum Certification

TORONTO (September 20, 2022) - Menkes Developments Ltd. (Menkes) and its partner BGO announced today that the Waterfront Innovation Centre (WIC), its 475,000 square foot landmark office project, has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum (v4) Core & Shell certification, a new standard set by the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC), and the highest level of certification.

LEED is a rating system that is recognized as the international mark of excellence for green buildings in over 160 countries.

Like all new Menkes buildings, the state-of-the-art complex was conceived with the objective of achieving the highest standards in environmental sustainability. Green initiatives were incorporated from the outset of design, to sourcing local materials during construction, and now into the building’s daily operations, which features energy-efficient water and light fixtures. The building also includes 40 EV charging stations to promote sustainable commuting.

“Sustainability isn’t simply a box we check to meet industry standards, rather it’s fundamentally engrained into our design and construction process for every new building, and subsequently intertwined into every facet of the building’s operations,” said Peter Menkes, President, Commercial/Industrial at Menkes. “Being in a green building is a high priority for our tenants, and we take great pride in delivering this LEED Platinum certification for them, the waterfront community and our team who worked tirelessly on the building.”

Among the elements that contributed to WIC’s LEED Platinum Certification, the CaGBC looked at:

Community & Wellness: The building promotes tenants to ride their bikes to work, with 174 secure bicycle parking spots and onsite showering facilities.

Light and Air: The Building utilizes a pressurized Underfloor Air Distribution System that efficiently and effectively circulates clean air from below. It provides thermal comfort and improves indoor air quality. Light sensors and an innovative demand-response program provide comfortable and responsive lighting, while reducing demand on the electrical grid. Floor to ceiling glass allows for maximum natural light penetration reducing lighting needs.

Water Conservation: Rainwater and groundwater cisterns collect grey water that would have gone to waste and help to manage the site’s stormwater. These cisterns supply water to the landscaping drip irrigation system and reduce flush fixture demand.

Enwave District Energy System: With heating and cooling supplied by Enwave’s district energy and deep lake water cooling systems, WIC maintains thermal comfort conditions while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions throughout the day.

Solar Array and Green Roof: The roof provides a rainwater buffer to minimize the storm water runoff and functions as additional thermal insulation. Energy performance is also enhanced through the installation of an extensive photovoltaic solar panel array which consists of 576 solar panels calculated to offset 5% of the building’s total electricity consumption.

Completed in 2021, the 475,000 square foot, office building is comprised

of two structures, with three distinct but interconnected components: The Exchange, The Hive, and The Nexus, which serves as a public square. It offers ultramodern amenities, including high-speed broadband networking, floor-to-ceiling windows, and expansive collaboration spaces. Waterfront Innovation Centre is home to world-class tenants such as WPP, theScore, MaRS and Gilbert’s LLP.

Menkes Developments Ltd. is an award-winning, fully integrated real estate company involved in the construction, ownership and management of office, industrial, retail and residential properties. Founded in 1954, the company is one of the largest private developers in Canada, with a primary focus in the Greater Toronto Area. Menkes is known for its innovative, multi-disciplinary approach, superior design, and its expertise in large-scale mixed-used developments. The Company is regarded as one of the most trusted builders in Toronto, with a strong reputation for quality and customer service excellence. Past projects include the Four Seasons Hotel & Residences in Bloor-Yorkville, 25 York Street (Telus Harbour), and the two (2) million square foot Harbour Plaza/One York commercial retail complex located in the South Core Financial District. For more information about Menkes, please visit menkes.com and follow @MenkesLife.