The Canadian commercial real estate industry gathered in Charlottetown, PEI, on September 15th, 2022, marking the first time since 2019 the Building Owners and Managers Association of Canada (BOMA Canada) was able to present the national awards in person. Hosted by local stand-up comic and musician Patrick Ledwell, the live event took place on the traditional and unceded territory of the Abegweit Mi’kmaq First Nation at the Prince Edward Island Convention Centre.
The evening’s top honours—TOBY Awards for Outstanding Building of the Year—were issued to eleven recipients. Judging criteria for the coveted award includes building standards, tenant relations, energy conservation, personnel training, emergency preparedness, and more.
In the office category, 85 Hanna Avenue in Toronto, owned by First Capital (King Liberty-Retail/Office) Corporation and managed by FCR Management Services LP, took home the TOBY for properties under 100,000 square feet. 130 Bloor Street in Toronto, owned by 130 Bloor CREIF Inc. and managed by BentallGreenOak, won for buildings in the 100,000 to 249,999 square feet category.
Taking the top prize for buildings between 250,000 and 499.999 square feet was HSBC Place in Edmonton, owned by Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) and managed by Epic Investment Services. In buildings over 500,000 square feet, 33 Yonge Street in Toronto, owned by The Canada Life Assurance Company & 1213763 Ontario Inc., managed by GWL Realty Advisors Inc., emerged as the winner.
In the corporate facility category, the award went to Crown Realty for North York Square in Toronto, 45-47 Sheppard Avenue East, owned by Crown Realty III Limited Partnership and managed by Crown Property Management Inc., while 250 University Avenue, managed by Northam Realty Advisors Limited, owned by 250 University Holdings Limited, won in the historical building category. Kennedy Matheson Industrial Complex 550 & 570 Matheson Boulevard East; 5655 Kennedy Road in Mississauga, managed by Menkes Property Management Services, owned by 3883281 Canada Inc., came out on top as the industrial building of the year.
In the renovated building category, the TOBY Award went to RioCan’s Yonge Sheppard Centre at 2 Sheppard Avenue East, 4881 Yonge Street and 4841 Yonge Street, owned by RC Sheppard Centre LP (RioCan REIT), managed by RioCan Management Inc. in North York for extensive upgrades recently completed. On the retail front, Crombie REIT’s Avalon Mall at 48 Kenmount Road in St. John’s NFLD won the enclosed mall category, while First Capital’s Brooklin Town Centre at 5969 Baldwin Street South, owned by First Capital (Brooklin) Corporation and managed by First Capital Management Services LP in Whitby received the prize for best open air/strip mall.
Last but not least, Fengate Asset Management accepted the TOBY Award for 2265-2275 Upper Middle Road East in Oakville for best suburban office park owned by 2265 Upper Middle Nominee Inc. and 2275 Upper Middle Nominee Inc.
EARTH & PINNACLE AWARDS
Through its Earth Awards, BOMA Canada recognizes excellence in resource preservation and environmentally sound commercial building management. This year, Menkes was awarded the Earth Award for outstanding efforts undertaken at 25 York Street Toronto, owned by Menkes Union Tower Inc. and managed by Menkes Property Management Services Ltd.
The Pinnacle Awards recognize role model CRE companies that demonstrate standards of excellence in innovation, teamwork, and customer service. This year’s above & beyond category went to Colliers International’s Ashley Penny for extraordinary action taken at the Railyard Mall in Merritt, BC, in the aftermath of a flood.
In the innovation category, Pinchin Ltd. in Dartmouth, NS, was recognized for its innovation-driven culture and leadership, while Triovest Realty Advisors took home the prize for its unparalleled customer service at 700 University Avenue in Toronto.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
In the individual categories, past BOMA Canada Chair Award recipient Cheryl Grey announced that Nisha Agrawal, Director Sustainability at QuadReal Property Group, won the Elaina Tattersdale Sustainability Champion Award for her tireless efforts in pursuing and championing sustainable practices.
Earning the title of 2022 Emerging Leader of the Year was Edmonton-based Jed Groenenboom of Boreal Fire Protection Inc., while the award for Member of the Year went to Elizabeth Han of Warrington PCI Management in Vancouver, BC.
Anne Marie Guèvremont of Aeroterm in Dorval, Quebec, was the proud recipient of this year’s Chair’s Award, bestowed for her longstanding leadership and commitment to the success of BOMA in Canada, and the commercial real estate sector at large.
RICK HANSEN FOUNDATION ACCESSIBILITY CHALLENGE AWARD
As part of its commitment to creating a world without barriers through meaningful accessibility in the built environment, BOMA Canada launched the Rick Hanson Foundation Accessibility Challenge Award in 2019. Kristen Habermehl, Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Professional and Principal of Atlantic Accessibility Consulting, proudly presented this year’s award to 980 Howe in Vancouver, managed by Manulife Investment Management.
ACCREDITED VENDOR CERTIFICATES
In addition to celebrating the evening’s award winners, BOMA Canada announced the first BOMA Plus Accredited Vendor certificates, which were subsequently presented to the following janitorial service companies: Bee-Clean Building Maintenance, GDI Integrant Facility Services, Hallmark Housekeeping Services Inc. and Servantage Services Inc.
“Congratulations, and thank you, BOMA Plus Accredited Vendors,” said Adrien Deveau, President of Metergy Solutions Inc. and Chair of BOMA Canada. “We value your participation in the program and thank you for your commitment to service excellence!”
For the complete list of winners, click here: bomacanada_awards_2022
