Ontario Construction Report special feature
It is a challenge to select a “Top 10” leadership group within the office and condominium building sector because many organizations, businesses, and individuals play significant collaborative roles in developing, owning, maintaining, and enhancing these important projects.
Although we do not represent or assert any association with relevant industry associations, their awards provide clues and guidance about candidates’ qualification for this list. (Specifically, The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) awards have helped provide guidance in this research.) We also evaluated other aspects including diversity, community leadership and market presence in rounding out this select group.
The names here are not ranked hierarchically; all qualify for “Top 10” status, so the listing is alphabetical.
Bentall Kennedy Canada LP
This company says it serves more than 550 institutional clients with its real estate investment and development expertise in office, retail, industrial and multi-family assets in Canada and the U.S. “As one of the largest real estate services providers in Canada, we manage more than 60 million sq. ft. where people live, work and play,” the company says. Not surprisingly, Bentall Kennedy has won several BOMA awards over the years.
Cadillac Fairview Corp.
Cadillac Fairview, owned by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, holds dozens of properties in Canada and the U.S., with an overall portfolio value greater than $29 billion. It owns several shopping centres and office buildings. The company emphasizes its values of corporate, social and environmental responsibility, coupled with philanthropy.
CD Sonter Ltd.
This independent environmental consulting service has won BOMA awards with what it describes as its “cost-effective sustainable solutions” for Canadian clients. “We take pride in our autonomy from service providers because our only interest is yours. As trusted third-party environmental consultants, we are passionate about real environmental change.”
Colliers International
This industry leading global real estate services company employs more than 12,000 individuals and operates in 69 countries. Recently it won a national TOBY (The Outstanding Building of the Year) award for the Mississauga Executive Centre 1 from BOMA Canada.
Dream Office Management Corp.
Dream Office Management Corp. provides services to properties owned by Dream Office REIT, and works with other owners as well for services such as property management and leasing. “Our top priority is providing a physical environmental essential to the well-being of our tenants and the success of their businesses,” the company says.
Ivanhoe Cambridge
The company, a real estate subsidiary of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, ranks among the 10 largest real estate companies in the world. It leads in investment, development, asset management and leasing, with shopping centres, office buildings and multi-residential properties. As well, it owns logistics services (storage and distribution) buildings, hotels, and real estate investment funds.
Menkes Property Management Services
Menkes has more than 60 years of history in the GTA’s real estate market, with a portfolio of commercial office, industrial and retail structures. This year it achieved Fitwel certification – the first in Canada – for its project at 25 York St. in Toronto, as well as at 4711 Yonge St.
Nelligan O’Brien Payne LLP
This law practice has an extensive real estate and development practice group, led by Debbie Bellinger. The practice can co-ordinate legal advice on projects from land acquisition, through development and sale, to end users. It also represents condominium corporations. See story page x.
Northern Realty Advisors Ltd.
The company’s building at 165 Commerce Valley in Markham has won several awards, most recently being designated as a BOMA International 360 Performance Building.
Founded in 1971 in Canada, Northern says it has offices in Toronto, Luxembourg and Frankfurt employing about 70. It manages office, industrial and specialty retail properties in Canada’s major metropolitan areas.
Oxford Properties Group
Oxford Properties Group, the real estate investment arm of OMERS, one of Canada’s largest pension plans, strives to own and manage buildings for the long-term, creating a high quality environment for tenants and a sustainable environmental footprint. Oxford says it has 55 years of experience, with an in-house team that takes “a hands-on approach to real estate investment, development and management in Canada, the U.S. and Europe.”