TORONTO, Sept. 13, 2019 /CNW/ – Cadillac Fairview and First Gulf are pleased to announce that Cadillac Fairview has entered into an unconditional purchase agreement with First Gulf and its partners to acquire 100 per cent ownership of Toronto’s East Harbour project, a 38-acre site three kilometers from the city’s downtown core, with the objective of completing the plan to create a vibrant destination and new eastern commercial core. This transaction is expected to close on September 25, 2019.
The vision for this ambitious master-planned commercial hub was conceived by First Gulf and its partners, Cowie Capital Partners Inc. and Northglen Investments. In 2018, Toronto City Council approved the East Harbour Master Plan, which provides for 10 million square feet of commercial development, including office, hotel, retail, institutional, entertainment and cultural space. With the capacity to accommodate over 70,000 employees, future growth potential for the site is supported by a planned multi-modal transit hub incorporating GO Train/SmartTrack services, TTC light rail transit and the future Ontario Line subway.
“CF is thrilled to assume stewardship of the East Harbour project and all of the tremendous potential that it represents,” said John Sullivan, President and CEO, Cadillac Fairview. “Our commitment now is to sustain the momentum toward realizing the vision of a vibrant new employment and entertainment destination for Torontonians.”
First Gulf CEO David Gerofsky stated “On behalf of First Gulf and our partners, I am extremely proud of how we brought this project to life and established support for it. The shared vision, developed in collaboration with community and government stakeholders, establishes East Harbour as a key driver of economic growth and competitiveness for Toronto. We know the project is in good hands with Cadillac Fairview and we look forward to seeing our collective work realized.”
CF has been successful in acquiring and developing lands adjacent to a city’s traditional financial core, seeding investment in high-potential districts. The company has deployed this core-shifting strategy in downtown Toronto by initiating the development of the South Core with a combined five-tower scheme, including Maple Leaf Square, ICE condominiums and the last building, the 16 York Street office building currently under construction. This strategy has been successfully employed in Montreal with the creation of Quad Windsor, CF’s $2 billion development plan, which includes the revitalization of Windsor Station, five residential towers (featuring Tours des Canadiens 1, 2 and 3), and two office towers including Tour Deloitte, which opened in 2015.
Mr. Sullivan points out that CF’s role in stimulating economic activity in those hubs is based on a solid understanding of market fundamentals and the need for smart, sustainable development: “The City of Toronto has forecast the need for some 45 million square feet of additional commercial space to accommodate 300,000 employees by the year 2041,” he said. “There are very few development sites in the traditional downtown to absorb this kind of growth and East Harbour is a perfect means to extend the city core.”
CF Executive Vice President of Development, Wayne Barwise, sees the project as representing an exciting integration of transit connectivity, smart urban planning, advanced building technologies and environmental sustainability.
“Establishing East Harbour as an employment destination with multiple uses and amenities will be based on infrastructure that is well-integrated with its surroundings, well-connected with a range of transport options, resilient to long-term changes in the economy and our climate, and responsive to innovations in building systems technologies,” said Mr. Barwise, who is predicting the development program to span in excess of 10 years.
The first phase of the development is the adaptive reuse of the existing Soap Factory building, which is a defining element of the overall plan. Cadillac Fairview is currently in discussions with prospective tenants who have expressed interest in this unique opportunity.
As one of largest office complexes in the country, East Harbour’s transit infrastructure will connect to the Lakeshore and Markham/Stouffville GO Train lines that currently travel past the site as well as to the future Ontario Line subway, SmartTrack services and TTC light rail transit. The hub will have the capacity to serve an estimated 32,000 GO patrons per hour and help alleviate bottlenecks at Union Station by providing the potential to meet growing demand.
With sustainable innovation and the needs of a knowledge-based workforce guiding the project’s design parameters, CF will create space for an affordable employment incubator for the City of Toronto and provide an estimated 30,000 square feet of space for a non-profit community use.
East Harbour also integrates close to nine acres of green space with a network of streets, plazas, sidewalks and open spaces to create an environment where people can relax comfortably and move efficiently. Development plans are based on the latest principles of sustainability and well-being, creating a walkable, bikeable network of paths, bridges and connectivity to public transit.
Intelligent building design with smart building strategies will enhance long-term operational efficiency, with LEED and WELL certifications targeted throughout East Harbour. The project will also implement part of the Don Mouth Naturalization project to provide permanent flood protection for the area.
About Cadillac Fairview
Cadillac Fairview is one of the largest owners, operators and developers of best-in-class office, retail and mixed-use properties in North America. The Cadillac Fairview portfolio is owned by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, a diversified global investor which administers the pensions of more than 327,000 active and retired school teachers. The real estate portfolio also includes investments in retail, mixed-use and industrial real estate in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico.
Valued at around $31 billion, the Canadian portfolio includes over 37 million square feet of leasable space at 68 properties in Canada, including landmark developments, such as Toronto-Dominion Centre, CF Toronto Eaton Centre, CF Pacific Centre, CF Chinook Centre, Tour Deloitte and CF Carrefour Laval.
About First Gulf
First Gulf is an award-winning leader in the development of office, industrial, mixed-use and retail properties with developed assets of over $4 billion completed since the company’s inception in 1987. First Gulf is a fully integrated development company and is involved in all aspects of real estate development, from land acquisition and planning approvals to design-build, construction, leasing, financing and property management. To date, First Gulf has developed and constructed over 30 million sf of office, retail, and industrial real estate. First Gulf is part of the Great Gulf Group, one of North America’s premier real estate organizations. Established in 1975, with major projects in Canada and the United States, the Group’s fully-integrated activities span the entire real estate spectrum.
SOURCE Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited
A proven market leader with more than $4 billion in developed assets
- Completed development and construction of more than 5 million square feet of premier LEED®
certified office space, with another 2 million square feet currently under construction - Over 6 million square feet of industrial constructed with over 6 million square feet of space
currently in the pipeline - Awarded 2018 NAIOP “Office Development of the Year” for the Globe and Mail Centre and the
2016 NAIOP Colorado Office Development of the Year for 1401 Lawrence in Denver, Colorado - Affiliate of Great Gulf, winner of 2018 Home Builder of the Year award from the Ontario Home
Builders’ Association (OHBA) and the 2018 Mid/High-Rise Builder of the Year award from the
Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD)
A Bold New Place Where Toronto Works.
As the largest planned commercial development in Canada, East Harbour will include over 10 million square feet of commercial space concentrated around a new transit hub – the busiest in Canada after Union Station.
East Harbour sits within one of the most dynamic, diverse and changing areas of the city.
At least 80% of the commercial space will be dedicated to office, institutional and hotel uses and up to 20% will be dedicated to retail, food and culture & entertainment.
East Harbour will create space for more than 70,000 jobs within a new dynamic, integrated, comfortable and connected neighbourhood committed to the pedestrian experience.
AMENITIES
Tenants and visitors will have direct access to the new East Harbour Transit Hub, the Don Valley Trail and new pedestrian and bicycle connections throughout.
A mix of indoor, weather-protected and street oriented retail will create an all-season environment, and highly programmed exhibits and events will offer an active and vibrant community. East Harbour will offer the newest mix of eateries, food markets and restaurants, supporting local and international food culture.
PLANNED INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS
East Harbour sits on the eastern edge of the City’s downtown among major infrastructure investments enabling future economic growth in the area.
FLOOD PROTECTION
The Don Mouth Naturalization project will provide permanent flood protection, removing East Harbour from the floodplain and allowing for development, in addition to protecting approximately 700 acres in the Port Lands.
All three levels of government have committed a total of $1.25 billion in funding and construction is now underway and flood protection will be in place by 2022.
SUSTAINABILITY
The team is focused on creating an innovative, cutting-edge sustainable development. East Harbour is a registered EcoDistrict, addressing equity, resilience and climate protection.
A Community Energy Plan will establish a low carbon footprint across the project which includes a District Energy System. LEED v4 Platinum or Gold as well as WELL Certifications will be targeted across the development.
ZONING AND APPROVALS
In June 2018, Toronto City Council unanimously approved a Secondary Plan that calls for the 62-acre East Harbour lands to be redeveloped. In July 2018, Toronto City Council unanimously approved a rezoning that permits 10 million square feet of commercial development.
In support of the municipal applications, a Master Plan was developed through a highly iterative and collaborative process to guide the revitalization.
CHARACTER PLAN
Building on the Master Plan, a Character Plan has evolved to support the advancement of a more detailed design concept.
A primary focus of this ongoing design work is to further define the character of the district and ensure that a new development supports the creation of a superior pedestrian experience and public realm.
SOAP FACTORY
East Harbour’s First Office Building, Breaking Ground in 2019.
A 600,000 square-foot office building with 45,000 square feet of retail space, the Soap Factory will be built as an adaptive re-use of the existing beloved industrial building. Occupancy is expected in 2021, coinciding with the delivery of the East Harbour Transit Hub.
Maziar Moini, Broker of Record - Home Leader Realty Inc.
300 Richmond St. W., #300, Toronto, ON M5V-1X2
