Ontario NextHome Condo & Home Builders' Annual 2019 by NextHome

CONDO & HOME BUILDERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

ON TA R I O

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Find your Menkes match. High-Rise Communities.

MENKES.COM

CHURCH & SHUTER

YO N G E & E G L I N T O N

YO R K & H A R B O U R

DUNDAS E. & JARVIS

Fleur

The Eglinton

Harbour Plaza

in.DE

Under Construction Occupancy Spring 2020

Under Construction Move-In Spring 2019

Immediate Occupancy Penthouse Suites Available

Construction Starting Soon

Low-Rise Communities.

PAT H - C O N N ECT ED WAT E R F R O N T R E S I D E N C E S

Sugar Wharf Under Construction

High-Rise and Low-Rise Community.

See sales representative for details. Prices and specifications are subject to change. E.&O.E.

E TOBICOKE

Lake & Town Coming Soon

OAK VILLE

Glen Ashton Estates Coming Soon VA U G H A N M E T R O P O L I TA N CENTRE

O S H AWA

Winchester Estates Coming Soon

Mobilio Condos & Towns Coming Soon Register at menkes.com/mobilio

editor’s letter SUSAN LEGGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF NextHome EMAIL: susan.legge@nexthome.ca | TWITTER: @SusanLegge

Affordability is on everyone’s mind The cost of housing is a hot topic of conversation around boardroom and dining room tables alike. How can first-time buyers afford to buy a home? Perhaps a bigger question should be, what’s your definition of “home?” High-density housing in the form of condos, stacked towns and urban townhomes are much needed. What the Canadian Home Builders’ Association refers to as the “missing middle”, which includes condos, stacked towns and urban townhomes, is an important housing option that offers more affordable solutions for everyone. The caveat? Housing supply is drying up. More about this important issue, and what the building industry is doing to

+ get social

help answer questions about issues such these, can be found in Dave Wilkes’ BILD column on page 12. Also check out the insights from the industry’s top brass in our ‘Expert Panel’. This year, a record number of builders and developers contributed their time and expertise, including their thoughts on solving the housing affordability crisis. New this issue, our ‘Industry All-Stars’ feature. We asked the heads of a few of the GTA’s top brokerage firms their thoughts on market trends, what they’d buy, and where. Like the rest of the Annual, this feature is designed to help you gain a better understanding of the housing market and the many fine folks who work hard to keep the GTA growing.

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table of contents

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Editor’s Note

BILD Report You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers... BY DAVE WILKES

Expert Panel Ten of the GTA’s top builders and developers tell us their stories and viewpoints

4 Condo & Home Builders’ Annual 2019

Legally Speaking Why partnering with your builder is essential BY JAYSON SCHWARZ

Industry All-Stars Expert advice from four industry all-stars

Get Social

OHBA Report

A list of contact information from builders and developers to help you stay connected

Ontario’s new government for #homebelievers BY JOE VACCARO

CONDO & HOME BUILDERS’

CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER

Jacky Hill jacky.hill@nexthome.ca EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Susan Legge susan.legge@nexthome.ca ART DIRECTOR

Tammy Leung

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Marlene Eisner Amanda Pereira SENIOR MEDIA CONSULTANTS

Jessica Wilson 416.873.1049 jessica.wilson@nexthome.ca Natalie Chin 416.881.4288 natalie.chin@nexthome.ca SALES & MARKETING CO-ORDINATORS

Gary Chilvers Sarah Khan DISTRIBUTION

distributionteam@nexthome.ca ACCOUNTING INQUIRIES

accountingteam@nexthome.ca

20 builder index Inside Front Cover–2 Menkes 6–8 Lifetime Developments 9–11 Empire Communities 13–15 Great Gulf 17–19 Branthaven Homes 31–33 Losani Homes 34–36 The Daniels Corporation 37–39 Adi Development Group

41–43 Dunpar Homes 45–47 Canderel 51–53 Howland Green Inside Back Cover Lindvest Back Cover

Mattamy Homes

DIRECTOR OF PRINT MEDIA

Lauren Reid–Sachs GRAPHIC DESIGNER & COORDINATOR

Alicesa Pullan GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Miguel Cea, Sandra Hanak–Vujnovic, Johannah Lorenzo, Mike Terentiev, Kathleen Walker, Alice Wu, Hannah Yarkony Published by

nexthome.ca Advertising Call 1.866.532.2588 for rates and information. Fax: 1.888.861.5038 Circulation Highly targeted, free distribution system aimed at real estate buyers using street level boxes and racking. Call 1.855.826.4200 to discuss distribution opportunities. Copyright Notice All copyright and other intellectual property rights in the contents hereof are the property of NextHome, and not that of the individual client. The customer has purchased the right of reproduction in NextHome and does not have the right to reproduce the ad or photo in any other place or publication without the previous written consent of NextHome. Contents of this publication, in hard copy format as well as online, are covered by copyright law, and offenders will be prosecuted. Copyright 2019 All rights reserved. Reproduction, storage in a retrieval system or transmission, in any form or by any means, whether electronic, mechanical or otherwise, in whole or in part, without prior written permission of NextHome is strictly prohibited. Terms Advertisers, Editorial content are not responsible for typographical errors, mistakes or misprints. All prices are correct as of press time. Editorial Submissions from interested parties will be considered. Please submit to the editor at editorial@nexthome.ca. nexthome.ca 5

Hey you,

e s o h t o t e m o c s g in h t Good g soon in m o c e ’r e W . it a w o h w ou! & can’t wait to meet y

ter is g e r o t m o .c s o d n o c Visit xo es! t a d p u t s e t la e h t t e g and Love living downtown? Love modern design complemented with classic brickwork? Love the eclectic Toronto’s most exciting neighbourhoods intersect. This is XO living from the 400’s.* *Prices & Specifications subject to change without notice. E.&OE. Illustration is artist’s concepts. Brokers protected. Exclusive broker listing: Baker Real Estate Incorporated.

Your future community starts here >

LOVE LIFE, LIVE EMPIRE Since 1993, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been crafting communities in Ontario, Texas, and beyond to establish ourselves as leaders in our industry. After 25 years, 20,000 homes and over 40 communities in 2 countries, our vision remains the same â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to create inspiring new places to live for our homeowners.

Learn more about our master-planned communities, our homes and our condos at empirecommunities.com

BILD REPORT

You’ve got questions about development in the GTA... by DAVE WILKES With 1,500 member companies, the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD GTA) is among the largest local home building associations in Canada, and the level of residential and commercial construction occurring across the region has been incredible. Attached to this growth is the number of questions I get from members of the public about development and home building in the region. Residential and commercial construction is highly visible, cranes dot the skyline from Mississauga to Pickering, and so it’s only natural that residents want to know what’s happening in their communities and why change is occurring.

They have questions, such as, “Is all this development necessary?” (Yes, we have a housing shortage in the GTA), “Who decides what gets built where?”, “Why in my neighbourhood?”, and perennially, “Why is new development so dense?”. BILD GTA answers every inquiry that comes We’ve in to the best of our ability. After all, that is a got primary role of an industry association, to act answers as conduit between media, the public and the industry. Invariably two things come out of these interactions. The first is that we get a better understanding and appreciation of the perspectives, concerns and questions …continued on page 16

12 Condo & Home Builders’ Annual 2019

One Bloor

WINNER

THERE’S GOOD THEN THERE’S Great For over 40 years, homeowners across North America have looked to Great Gulf to make their dream of living greatly a reality. We’ve built our reputation by continually seeking to marry design, innovation, construction technology and craftsmanship in new and exciting ways, to create homes that are quieter, brighter, healthier, more energy efficient and quite simply, better built. Exceptional quality and value for today. Peace of mind for the years to come.

greatgulf.com

We do more than just Build We grow, elevate, nurture, unite and transform. We care about the contribution we make, not only to the lives of our customers, but also to the community as a whole. We seek to improve the way people live, work and play, through innovative design, intelligent construction, and an intense commitment to the wellbeing of our homeowners, partners and employees.

MONDE

8 Cumberland

Whitby Meadows

Trafalgar Landing

Active House

From landmark towers like One Bloor in Toronto, to masterplanned communities across the G.T.A. and beyond, Great Gulf builds homes that are designed to help Canadians like you live greatly. To find the home thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right for you, visit greatgulf.com

BILD GTA’s campaign was created to engage the public in an effort to help answer questions about development around the region.

…continued from page 12

of the nearly seven million residents of the region. We use this information in our communications, newspaper columns and interviews as it’s an opportunity to make sure the perspectives and questions are more broadly shared. In fact, we often reflect these perspectives in our interactions with municipal and provincial governments. The second is in our responses we are able to provide answers and information. The development and construction process is complex, lengthy and highly regulated, and more often than not these inquiries are informed by perceptions and information people have gathered through the “grape vine”. Following our interactions, BILD GTA frequently receives a follow-up thanking us for the response, indicating we provided information that was not previously known. While the interaction may not change the concerns that gave rise to the inquiry in the first place, it always leads to a more informed discussion and debate. The reality is that while the pace of development will ebb and flow year to year with economic cycles and other factors, the long-term trajectory will be for more residential and commercial development across the region. With the population of the GTA expected to grow 40 per cent by 2041 or approximately 115,000 new residents every year, providing places for all these new residents to live, work and play will require a concerted and prolonged 16 Condo & Home Builders’ Annual 2019

development effort. This will require unprecedented levels of co-ordination and partnership between all levels of government, the industry and residents, and key to that is informed discussion and debate. To answer all the questions that GTA residents have about development, in 2019, BILD GTA launched a brand new campaign called Building Answers. The campaign answers common questions from residents of the GTA publicly, openly and factually. To enable this we engaged IPSOS to survey member of the public across the GTA to identify their top questions. Based on these questions we have, with the help of industry representatives, written answers to the top 24 questions which are being made available to all by visiting www.BuildingAnswers.ca To drive awareness of this new campaign we will be deploying a fully integrated communications campaign across key media in the GTA. Members of the public will be able to visit the site, review the questions and ask questions of their own. Our objective is to inform and educate member of the public on the opportunities and challenges of building new communities across the region and to facilitate a common understanding of the generational challenge we are facing. Through this common understanding we can help facilitate the partnerships required to make sure we can provide all the new residents of the GTA with places to live, work and play.

Dave Wilkes is President and CEO of the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD), the voice of the home building, land development and professional renovation industry in the GTA. For the latest industry news and new home data, follow BILD on Twitter, @bildgta, or visit www.bildgta.ca.

YOUR LIFE ISN’T STANDARD YOUR HOME SHOULDN’T BE Branthaven Homes has always attracted those who want more from their lifestyle, their community and the home-owning experience. As we approach our 50th year we have never wavered from our promise to deliver “The Best Built Home at Any Price.” From contemporary condos, chic townhomes, classic singlefamily homes or carefree luxury apartments, Branthaven delivers best-in-class living that elevates your everyday. Discover Branthaven’s modern architecture, fashionable interiors and legendary attention to detail. Live The Life™ you have always wanted. Live Branthaven.

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FEATURE

We went to the experts – executives at some of the top builders and developers in the GTA – to help answer what we think are some important insights that buyers would want to know. From their point of view, here’s our 2019 Expert Panel.

Expert panel

Tariq Adi PRESIDENT AND CEO ADI DEVELOPMENT GROUP

My key advice to homebuyers searching for a new community and home is:

Do your homework to gain a deep understanding of the value of the houses and condos you’re considering. Some of these value metrics are easily quantifiable, such as the price per square foot, while some are more difficult to quantify such as proximity to transit, highways, building amenities and lifestyle destinations. Balance between space and price may also be found by considering markets outside downtown Toronto; there are gems to discover. For example, there is still excellent value in Burlington — which is one of the main reasons we choose to build there — where you can travel to downtown via GO Train in 50 minutes with multiple trains every hour, yet still enjoy local life. The major benefit of purchasing a pre-construction home or condo over a resale dwelling is:

The greatest benefits of buying new are peace of mind, affordability, and increased equity from the time you buy till you receive your new home. New homes are built to the most up-to-date code, have the

protection of the extensive Tarion warranty, and reflect the personal taste of the buyer. With regards to affordability, buying preconstruction allows you more time to save up for a down payment, while locking in current market prices. This also means you will have realized the same appreciation as the market, with minimal investment. Our top priorities when designing a new community are:

Adi’s top priorities are value and livability for our purchasers. Understanding that the Millennial generation is especially challenged by prohibitive housing costs, we’ve modelled Adi to operate at the highest efficiency and optimal overhead, which allows us to pass along savings to the end purchaser. We start with the very best locations, then consider who our buyer is, what they truly want, and how they live. …continued on page 29

20 Condo & Home Builders’ Annual 2019

Expert panel

Dominic Tompa VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES, THE DANIELS CORPORATION My key advice to homebuyers searching for a new community and home is:

As obvious as this may seem, it comes down to knowledge and affordability. Understanding what you can afford is essential in your search and can result in saving you a lot of time. It starts by getting pre-approved for a mortgage, especially for those who are first-time buyers. Get a good understanding of rates, closing costs and more so there are no surprises during and after purchase. Then, ask yourself what you want out of this home. As you shop, get to know the developer and find out if they offer any incentives or programs to make your homebuying experience easier and more attainable. Remember to be responsible and realistic. Have both a good and honest understanding of your lifestyle, ideal location and budget. The major benefit of purchasing a pre-construction home or condo over a resale dwelling is:

schools, shopping opportunities and highway access. Daniels has a lot of experience in creating master-planned communities, so we are always thinking outside of the box when it comes to how we can make our mixed-used neighbourhoods both vibrant and accommodating to the way our target purchasers live. We also include opportunities where both purchasers and community members can connect through our interconnectivity packages. For example, at Artworks Tower in Regent Park, we partnered with Artery, a one-of-a-kind platform that connects people who want to experience art and culture up close and personal in unexpected places. It’s things like this that contribute to how a homeowner can truly love where they live. …continued on page 29

When making a significant purchase like a new home, it helps to know that there is something to fall back on if something doesn’t work like it’s intended to. Any builder or developer who is planning to build or sell a new residence in Ontario must be registered with Tarion Warranty. With the security from Tarion, you know that both you and your new home will be protected. Daniels is proud to not only have an outstanding reputation from Tarion, but has been a Tarion’s Homeowners Choice winner and finalist for many consecutive years. Our top priorities when designing a new community are:

First, we look for locations that are rich in local amenities such as

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Expert panel

Michael DiPasquale CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER DUNPAR HOMES My key advice to homebuyers searching for a new community and home is:

Do your research! Today the market is constantly in flux with some builders that were successful in the past facing difficulties and having to cancel projects resulting in deposits being lost. Seek out a reputable builder with a solid track record building the type of home you are looking for. It is also important to determine what other development is planned or taking place in the neighbourhood where you are looking to be sure it is consistent with your vision. The major benefit of purchasing a pre-construction home or condo over a resale dwelling is:

Having done your research and finding a reputable builder, you can then be confident that your home will be completed as promised. One of the major benefits in a pre-construction home is the opportunity to customize the home to your own style and personality, selecting colours and finishes that many often just dream of. The thrill of watching your new home materialize through its various stages of building is a wonderful experience. It is also important to note that with a pre-

construction home comes a comprehensive warranty with Tarion, which ensures your home will be built to the standards promised by the builder. Our top priorities when designing a new community are:

Dunpar’s priorities are reflected in our motto “Better by Design.” We take great pride in the design, architecture, and livability of all our communities. Our attention to detail of every one of our townhomes both on the interior as well as exterior is paramount in building a community our homeowners and all our employees are proud of. Each floorplan is efficient and functional for families. Our exterior designs feature brick and stone with substantial landscaping of each home, creating the sense of a mature community. As a builder of new communities in the GTA, we are most proud of:

We are proud of the positive influence our communities bring to a new location. We have found over the years that the designs of our new communities have been a catalyst for other projects in the area to keep up with …continued on page 29

22 Condo & Home Builders’ Annual 2019

Dan Flomen

Expert panel

EVP OF SALES, EMPIRE COMMUNITIES My key advice to homebuyers searching for a new community and home is:

Don’t be afraid to take that leap into homeownership outside of Toronto or the GTA. We build in excellent communities across Southwestern Ontario that are flourishing with employment opportunities and a comfortable living environment, and are perfect for young professionals and families. Our communities are also in close proximity to highways and transit, so residents can enjoy easy access to get to work, school or nearby attractions, while coming home to the quiet of small-town living. It’s also crucial for homebuyers to do their research ahead of time. Tarion is a good place to start to look at a builder’s reputation in the area you’re interest in, as well as how many homes they have built. At Empire, we’re proud of our longstanding reputation for home building excellence, and are celebrating our recent wins for Low Rise Builder of Choice and Best Customer Experience for High Rise in Ontario at the H.O.M.E. Awards. The major benefit of purchasing a pre-construction home or condo over a resale dwelling is:

Getting the home you want, not the home you settled for. With resale, you’ll often need to renovate to get the upgrades or finishes on your wish list, or live with the decisions the

previous owners made. When you purchase a pre-construction home or condo, you have the luxury of choosing the features and finishes that matter to you and the peace of mind of moving into a completely finished home once you close on the property. Our top priorities when designing a new community are:

Empire’s philosophy has always centered around creating communities that fulfill both the housing needs as well as the lifestyle needs of our homeowners. Our condos and lowrise communities often feature amenities that are strategically planned to enrich the lives of our residents. We truly work with the concept of creating complete communities, and take a lot of pride in watching our homeowners enjoy life in their new neighbourhood. As a builder of new communities in the GTA, we are most proud of:

Our commitment to innovation by piloting energy-saving and building experiments for the future of homebuilding. The Discovery Home pilot project at Empire’s Riverland community in Breslau is a great example of that. We’ve been working with key industry partners to build a test home with some of the most energy-saving and environmentally conscious innovations of today. We give back to the community by: One of the best parts about developing new communities is being able to give back to the town or city where we are building. We’re continuously sponsoring amenities in our communities so that our homeowners can enjoy great things like Music in the Square in downtown Brantford, local hockey and soccer teams, school fairs and other great events. It is important for us to be a part of the greater community that has welcomed us, and do our part to make it better. …continued on page 30

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Expert panel

Dave De Sylva PRESIDENT HOWLAND GREEN LTD. My key advice to homebuyers searching for a new community and home is:

To look for sustainable features that will help you financially on a long-term basis. This will include ways of reducing energy costs through building design and construction as well as monitoring your consumption in a way that allows for possible further reduction. In addition to this, it is important to consider your location. This helps the average person minimize the time and cost of trips by combining stops during the day as well as advantages of transit-oriented activities. The major benefit of purchasing a pre-construction home or condo over a resale dwelling is:

In all probability, the price of a preconstruction home will be less than the market will pay when the home is built. Usually, pre-construction pricing is geared to creating sales so that construction can begin. After completion, the real market takes over and typically the price of the home is higher, thereby creating a profit for those who took the risk of purchasing before construction. Our top priorities when designing a new community are:

Efficiency in building design and energy. This includes how the entire home functions in terms of operational energy demands as well as water conservation and general maintenance. Taking the time to understand how the building functions during the design stage creates long-term benefits for the future owner by saving time and money. At

Howland Green we don’t just build homes, our mission is to build “Positive Energy Developments”. These are zero-energy homes, buildings and communities that are so efficient they produce more energy than they consume. Hence our corporate tagline “Beyond Net Zero”. As a builder of new communities in the GTA, we are most proud of:

Setting a standard for real measurable sustainability. To promise an outcome is the initial effort, but to be able to deliver and prove through ongoing measurement that the goal has been reached is just as important. One must measure in order to manage. Partnered with this is the ability to provide product that the average person can afford. By setting the price points consistent with others, the public does not have to fear that there are any premiums for sustainable design and construction. The home must also be “attainable” to be “sustainable”. We give back to the community by: Honouring the challenge of building in a way that benefits the world at large. By working to reduce the global carbon footprint rather than increasing it, we set a standard for others in a way that is educative and demonstrative. Apart from the physical benefit of decarbonizing our process, the public becomes aware of the importance that this goal has in every walk of life with a real example of achievement. At Howland Green, we have an ongoing partnership with like-minded organizations like Forests Ontario. …continued on page 30

24 Condo & Home Builders’ Annual 2019

Brian Brown

Expert panel

VICE-PRESIDENT, LIFETIME DEVELOPMENTS My key advice to homebuyers searching for a new community and home is:

As a builder of new communities in the GTA, we are most proud of:

Firstly, do your math and set your budget and do not overextend yourself. That’s where so many homebuyers can get into serious trouble. They become blind by the thrill of possible homeownership. Secondly, factor in all costs of homeownership such as property taxes, utility costs and maintenance fees.Payments don’t just stop at the monthly mortgage payment. Thirdly, I encourage purchasers to read up on the builder’s experience, reputation and customer service; choose one who is wellrespected and known for excellent customer service. Lastly, research your neighbourhood. What is being planned there? What is on the horizon for local development and transit? You can get this from the City or better still, speak to the local councillor. Knowledge is power and knowledge is key in every point I’ve made.

The positive impact we’ve made on discovering emerging neighbourhoods and the influence our developments have had on the lifestyle of those communities. Lifetime has a proud 40 year history of contributing to the vibrancy of the GTA through our residences and our deep community involvement. Wherever we build, we are there for the long term.

The major benefit of purchasing a pre-construction home or condo over a resale dwelling is:

Everything is new and under warranty. You never know the life history of a resale home or the major investments such as a furnace or major appliances or how long they’ll really last. There is a confidence in purchasing new. Our top priorities when designing a new community are:

Location is key. We look for neighbourhoods on the rise which are well served by transit and have a vibrant live, work and play balance. We ask ourselves, ‘Would we want to live here?’. Then, before we commit to any development, we take our time to do extensive research on the neighbourhood; where people live, who those people are, and most importantly, how they live in their urban surroundings. This impacts everything in our developments, from our suite designs to maximize efficiency in everyday living, furnishings and artwork to create the proper ambiance for purchasers to enjoy, to the meticulously planned amenities we provide for purchasers to ensure we have what they are looking for, from young couples, to families to empty-nesters.

We give back to the community by: Lifetime has a strong culture of corporate and social responsibility, best evidenced by our charitable foundation, Lifeline. With a focus on homelessness, it gives back to Toronto’s communities by supporting more than 40 charities and programs dealing with environment responsibility, health and wellness, and the provision of the basic necessities of life. In its five years it has raised more than $1.5 million. We can help alleviate the housing crisis in the GTA by:

There needs to be a stronger partnership between the public and private sector to help address this issue. Whether it be through Section 37 funds being directed to this purpose, with timeframes for its actual use and implementation, or additional density for the inclusion of more affordable housing within new developments, by working together, the real estate community and governments can successfully address this issue, which we all agree is extremely important in maintaining the GTA as an attractive and affordable place to live and work.

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Expert panel

Fred Losani CEO, LOSANI HOMES

My key advice to homebuyers searching for a new community and home is:

My advice would differ depending on the circumstance and stage of life of the purchaser. However, something that would apply to everybody, be it a young professional or empty nester, is to perform a comprehensive analysis of your financials ahead of time. Knowing what you can afford and more importantly carry without disrupting your quality of life while maintaining a savings strategy is critical. The major benefit of purchasing a pre-construction home or condo over a resale dwelling is:

One of the biggest benefits to purchasing new opposed to resale would undoubtedly be that your new home/condo comes with a full Tarion warranty, where as a resale purchase would not. Knowing you are protected by the Tarion warranty corporation for seven years offers prospective purchasers peace of mind that they have a governing body protecting their purchase and holding builders accountable. There are also cost benefits and an opportunity for personalization when

purchasing pre-construction that would not come with buying a resale home. Our top priorities when designing a new community are:

We always start by establishing our end users. We try to really get into their heads and ask ourselves what are their narratives? What are their names? Their jobs? By getting into the mindset of our prospective purchasers, we then can establish what will feature architecturally. When that analysis is complete, we then determine what they are looking for from an amenity perspective and the community conceptually will begin to develop an identity within itself. As a builder of new communities in the GTA, we are most proud of:

Definitely our reputation. We have worked hard over our 43-year history to establish it, which goes hand-in-hand with our longevity in the industry. I have always been extremely proud of the fact that despite the success of our company, we continue to challenge ourselves rather than being complacent. I like to think that as our company has evolved over time, we have remained consistent when it comes to providing our purchasers homes of the highest quality and at a phenomenal value. We give back to the community by: We are extremely proud of the work that the Losani Family Foundation along with our partners WE (formerly Free the Children) have performed both throughout the greater Hamilton area as well as internationally. They include the construction and opening of an all-girls school in Western Kenya. Also, the construction and opening of several new classrooms as well as a state-of-the-art medical facility which will help service over 12,000 people deep in the Amazon basin in Los Rios and Modena, Ecuador. Also bringing new classrooms and a clean source of water to villages in rural India.

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26â&#x20AC;&#x192; Condo & Home Buildersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Annual 2019

Expert panel

Jared Menkes EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT, HIGH-RISE RESIDENTIAL MENKES My key advice to homebuyers searching for a new community and home is:

I encourage everyone to do their research and look at a developer’s track record. It’s the most important thing you can do. Purchasing a home is one of life’s biggest financial decisions, so make sure you choose the right builder for you. You should feel confident that your new home will be built with care and expertise. Qualities such as experience, reputation, customer service and sustainability should all factor into your decision when choosing a builder. Our top priorities when designing a new community are:

1. Superior quality and design is always number one, but our most recent projects have been very focused on convenience and connectivity. We realize that people have incredibly busy lifestyles, so we aim to create true live, work, play communities, and of course we invest in urban sites either in close proximity to, or connected to public transit. 2. We aim to incorporate some sort of connection to nature, particularly in

highrise buildings in urban locations. We think it’s important for residents, especially given our City’s climate six months of the year. 3. A strong commitment to sustainability from conception to delivery. This could range from the building materials we use to construct our buildings right down to the energy-saving appliances included in the amenities. As a builder of new communities in the GTA, we are most proud of:

Our reputation, and our commitment to shaping the landscape of Toronto. With over 60 years of experience as a developer, we have created some of Toronto’s landmark buildings including Empress Walk in North York and the Four Seasons Hotel & Residences, and now we are changing the face of Toronto’s waterfront. We are also extremely proud that one of our most recent projects, Sugar Wharf, was named as the top selling condominium project in Canada for 2018. This is further confirmation that buyers are confident in making one of life’s biggest investments with us.

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Expert panel

Samson Fung VICE-PRESIDENT MARKETING, TRIDEL My key advice to homebuyers searching for a new community and home is:

To look at the company behind the project. In a time where we have seen some uncertainty in the market, buyers should do their research, and choose to purchase from a builder who will deliver on what they promised. Outside of that, consider what’s most important to you in terms of your home, whether that be access to transit, proximity to work, or neighbourhood amenities, and let that be the driving factor in your decision. The major benefit of purchasing a preconstruction home or condo over a resale dwelling is:

Because you’re purchasing so early in the process, you can personalize your suite and choose colours, finishes and other customizations to suit yourself. We recently invested in a new 8,000 square foot design studio to help our customers personalize their homes as they desire. Also, when you move in to a pre-construction home, you benefit from the Tarion warranty program, designed to protect consumers from many construction-related deficiencies. Our top priorities when designing a new community are:

To make them livable, and to add value to the neighbourhood. With a rich, longstanding history, we have an understanding of what works when designing suites, which components are necessities, and we adapt

to incorporate feedback from our customers so we produce homes that people are happy living in. Our communities offer a full range of amenities because living in a condominium is about the lifestyle, and having your needs met without having to leave home. We also design communities with a range of suite mixes, so residents have the option to stay and grow up within the community, even as their needs change. As a builder of new communities in the GTA, we are most proud of:

Our quality and craftsmanship. To us, Built for Life is not just a marketing slogan, it’s one of our guiding principles. We deliver on our promise. Tridel produces one of the highest quality standards in the industry. Our commitment to quality begins from the moment we start designing our buildings and floorplans, all the way through construction where we hold our trades to the highest of standards to meet our exacting vision, and into post-occupancy so we can make refinements for future projects. We give back to the community by: Integrating CSR directly into our core business practice. Two of our biggest initiatives are our BOLT Foundation and our employeedriven Tridel Take Action team. Through these programs, we maximize social impact, increase employee engagement, and cultivate positive brand awareness while implementing our Corporate Social Responsibility vision. …continued on page 30

28 Condo & Home Builders’ Annual 2019

Expert panel TARIQ ADI …continued from page 20

It’s important that we anticipate changes in lifestyles and technology to deliver timeless residences. We also want to enhance the surrounding neighbourhood, something I believe we’ve done successfully. Our goal is to not only improve the physical landscape, but also lift the property values surrounding all Adi communities. As a builder of new communities in the GTA, we are most proud of:

We pride ourselves on listening to our customers and keeping them at the centre of everything we do. We are able to deliver homes at attainable prices and unparalleled customer service. We offer great design and better finishes — and we do that at a competitive price, so there’s real value for the customer. Architectural integrity has been key for us and to achieve great design, we work with renowned architects, such as New York based CetraRuddy for one of our Toronto projects. We place equal importance on our interiors. If you look at any of our condos in the context of their markets, they are always a slice above. We give back to the community by: Adi Development Group is an active community supporter, donating both time and finances to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Canadian Diabetes Association, Ronald McDonald House in Hamilton, Halton Women’s Place and SickKids Hospital in Toronto. I encourage employees to join me in attending charitable events, as well as providing opportunities for staff to become involved in volunteering and giving back to the community during work time.

We can help alleviate the housing crisis in the GTA by:

The crisis we’re facing is a supply issue. Municipalities need to find a way to enable growth to occur and streamline the approval process. Timing from acquisition to market is extremely important for affordability. By building near transportation hubs, for example, we increase density without adding excessive load to current infrastructure. It also currently takes far too long to gain the necessary municipal approvals, which result from the lack of efficiency in operations at the municipal level. Delays increase the building construction and financing costs the developer incurs.

DOMINIC TOMPA …continued from page 21

As a builder of new communities in the GTA, we are most proud of:

We’re incredibly proud that our reputation for building communities that are vibrant, reputable and highly desired has become the basis of what we are known for. We plan, design, develop, build, and manage all residential and commercial properties in-house. In essence, we’re an all-inclusive community builder and we have the ability to ensure a purchaser has an experience that is nothing less than exceptional. We give back to the community by: We believe that it’s embedded into our company’s DNA to be committed to community. Our support to numerous charities and non-profit organizations goes way beyond just handing over a cheque. We can help alleviate the housing crisis in the GTA by:

We believe that when it comes to making homeownership attainable, there needs to be both education and opportunity. Education starts with workshops and information sessions, like our Homeownership 101 Seminars we host for a variety of our

communities. Lastly, creating opportunity means programs and partnerships that allow for homes to be priced affordably or achieved in a much more attainable way. The most challenging aspect of attaining homeownership is putting down a deposit, and it doesn’t help that most developers require 20 per cent. But this can be an obstacle of the past with impactful partnerships and programs. For example, at FirstHome Markham Sheppard in Scarborough, we offer a First Home BOOST program that enables qualified purchasers to take advantage of an interest-free, paymentfree loan for an additional 10 per cent of the purchase price. As well, at many of our Regent Park communities, we offer our Daniels Gradual Deposit Payment Plan. By engaging in partnerships with organizations like RBC, CreateTO, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, as well as with local and federal governments, we’re continuing to make opportunities like these happen.

MICHAEL DIPASQUALE …continued from page 22

the standard of architecture Dunpar has introduced. This only enhances the value of the entire area. We also do our best to deliver a new home in the very finest form possible. In fact, several purchasers have actually become part of the Dunpar family, moving from one Dunpar community into another. We give back to the community by: Dunpar and its owner/ founder, John Zanini, have been contributing to the South Etobicoke community for many years. Not only have we been main contributors to the PACT Urban Peace Program, Wychwood Open Door, CFIB, etc., we are also the sole funder and partner for the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment, which is …continued on page 30 nexthome.ca 29

Expert panel MICHAEL DIPASQUALE …continued from page 29

committed to building the selfesteem and self-worth of young women and girls in the community. Dunpar recently founded the John Zanini Foundation, which is focused on assisting at-risk/underprivileged youth and includes the contribution of scholarships for young people graduating from high school to attend postsecondary education in university or college. We can help alleviate the housing crisis in the GTA by:

The housing crisis could be alleviated by significantly reducing the red tape surrounding the rezoning and approval process for development as well as reducing the financial burdens that all levels of government place on new housing. Re-zoning and obtaining approvals for a redevelopment now takes an average of 24 to 36 months, whereas it used to be 12 to 18 months. What the public does not know is the amount of money the government takes with new construction. For example, a three-bedroom townhome worth $1 million will have more than $260,000 of government fees, taxes, etc. Construction costs have also skyrocketed over the past several years, adding to the high cost of new homes. These costs have contributed significantly to the rising cost of housing, making it unaffordable for many. We are now seeing the government identifying a number of their land holdings in the GTA with an eye to building more affordable housing on them. This makes good sense and perhaps we should also see if there are any other areas such as unused buildings/land that could be utilized in the same way. 30 Condo & Home Builders’ Annual 2019

DAN FLOMEN

FRED LOSANI

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We can help alleviate the housing crisis in the GTA by:

We can help alleviate the housing crisis in the GTA by: Decreasing barriers through the cooperation of government partners to properly intensify opportunities would certainly go a long way in that. If obstruction were to be reduced by approving bodies, that would help increase the available inventory to the market which would help with affordability as well. Making land more easily accessible, specifically as it related to the green belt, I believe would go a long way as well.

Participating in an open dialogue between different levels of government, homeowners and other builders and developers so that real solutions can be discussed. It’s no question that the government’s role is a key consideration, particularly in the Ontario housing market where government policy dictates the speed and volume of the housing construction process. As land prices, interest, government fees and timelines, labour shortages and tariffs make development more expensive, builders and developers need to rethink their development models and investments to be able to deliver an affordable, well-built product to the market that meets the current demands.

DAVE DE SYLVA …continued from page 24

At our current project, Milton’s Bronte West, we are planting a minimum of 100,000 trees on behalf of the development. That works out to 757 trees per suite, and each resident will receive a title certificate and a thankyou for choosing Howland Green. It is our way of doing more than our part! We can help alleviate the housing crisis in the GTA by:

Lobbying the process to make the ability to produce housing much easier. The faster the process, the more product will be out there and no shortages will mean that the prices will not be driven up out of reach. Housing is no different than any other product. Fundamental economics hold that the more a supply is restricted, the greater the demand and therefor the price. In places where the demand is not high, it shows that the price is not high either. Affordability only happens when the average person can purchase without jeopardizing their ability to survive. By reducing processes and timelines, market forces will dictate the industry instead of shortages.

SAMSON FUNG …continued from page 28

Tridel has also partnered with the Toronto Community Housing Corporation in two TCHC revitalization communities – Alexandra Park in downtown Toronto and Leslie Nymark in North York, to offer equitable and outcome-based community economic development opportunities that support the longterm socio-economic integration of vulnerable populations. We can help alleviate the housing crisis in the GTA by:

Increasing the supply of condominiums in the market. Right now there is a shortage of supply of housing in the GTA marketplace, and space continues to be an issue facing new-home development. Condominiums are still a relatively affordable option by comparison to single-family homes, so this type of dwelling has become increasingly attractive to homebuyers. Beyond affordability, we’re seeing a change in the demographic of buyers as well. People place value on being close to urban centres and are willing to sacrifice on space for a good location. Condominiums are no longer just a starter home; we are designing our suites for purchasers who plan to live in their homes for a long period of time.