Recent Articles
Montreal Exchange offices moving to Deloitte Tower
Montreal Exchange offices moving to Deloitte Tower
Cadillac Fairview and TMX Group are proud to announce today the signing of a long-term lease agreement to relocate the Montréal Exchange (MX) to Deloitte Tower in 2018. MX and the Montréal offices of The Canadian Depository for Securities, Canadian Derivatives Clearing Corporation, Toronto Stock Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange will occupy approximately 44,000 square feet on two floors of the 26-storey office building.
Canada Newswire – Montreal Gazette
Mainstreet Health Investments keeps its IPO promises
Modern U.S. presidents are often measured by how much they can accomplish in their first 100 days in office. By that yardstick, the performance of Mainstreet Health Investments (HLP.U-T) since its initial public offering in June looks pretty good. “We don’t sit still long,” said Scott White, Mainstreet’s president.
Plan to develop Toronto’s Galleria mall raises ire
An ambitious plan by a joint venture of ELAD Canada and Freed Developments to demolish Toronto’s dated west-end Galleria Shopping Centre and replace it with a sleek mix of condos, shops, office space, a new community centre and a large park is expected to get a rough ride as it includes a cluster of towers, one as high as 42 storeys, more than twice the height now allowed on the site.
City loses ‘race against time’ to save historic Mimico factory
A historic Mimico building was partially demolished Wednesday, despite a decision made that afternoon by the Toronto Preservation Board to recommend it be preserved under the Ontario Heritage Act. The former factory, built in 1917, is owned by Freed Development, and signs at the site indicate plans to build five residential apartment buildings.
Heritage redevelopment project will bring change to King West
The Art Deco complex at 505 Richmond St. W. has a long, grandfatherly presence along Richmond Street West , but who remembers that it runs from Brant to Maud streets? Who remembers that it’s so big, one can see it fronting St. Andrew’s Playground from Adelaide Street? “It’s like an invisible building,” laughs MOD Developments CEO Gary Switzer.
Vancouver-based Onni Group buys LA Times building
The Los Angeles Times building in downtown Los Angeles has sold to a Canadian developer, paving the way for the redevelopment of a historic property the paper has called home since 1935, according to a person familiar with the deal. Onni Group of Vancouver has explored plans to turn the property into a collection of creative offices and retail and residential units.
Canada’s top buildings honoured by BOMA Canada
Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of Canada paid tribute to the winners of its national awards on Sept. 22 as part of its BOMEX 2016 conference and exhibition at the Delta Regina in Saskatchewan’s capital. The Outstanding Building of the Year (TOBY) Awards recognize quality in commercial real estate buildings and excellence in building management.
‘World’s most popular 3-star hotel’: Where royals stayed in Yukon
The Whitehorse hotel where Will and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, stayed on Tuesday may have taken some ribbing from the British press, but nobody’s complaining. “We’re really happy,” said Philip Fitzgerald with Northern Vision Development, the company that owns the Coast High Country Inn.
The new Oshawa Centre celebrates its grand opening today
Today and throughout the weekend, Oshawa Centre celebrates the completion of its highly anticipated $230 million expansion and redevelopment. The grand opening was attended this morning by a large number shoppers and dignitaries including Oshawa Mayor John Henry. Visitors enjoyed live entertainment, acrobats, giveaways and more.
Calgary looking to lure head offices
Calgary Economic Development hopes to attract 70 head offices to the city in the next three years as it embarks on a $3-million initiative to bring in more businesses. While the recession continues to increase local unemployment and drive the downtown office vacancy rate above 20 per cent, the development agency is receiving additional money from governments to lure business.
Calgary plan earns LEED-ND Platinum in Canadian first
Calgary’s University District is not even built yet and already it’s scored one of the highest green certifications available. The 200-acre development in northwest Calgary, which will ultimately be home to some 17,000 people, became the largest residential project in Canadian history to earn LEED for Neighbourhood Development Platinum certification.
Canada’s green building future is bright
In response to international climate change negotiations and mounting public pressure, provincial and federal governments have recently announced climate change plans that include green building as an essential part of their emission reduction strategies. This is in addition to over two dozen municipalities across Canada who have embraced green building.
Crowdfunded REITs gain momentum
Crowdfunding firms are stepping into the REIT space to make a bigger play for commercial real estate investor capital. Fundrise was the first firm to launch a crowdfunded REIT last December and the company has jumped out to an early lead in grabbing market share—and naming rights on the eREIT brand.
Sam Zell sees limited investment opportunities
The search for attractive investment opportunities was the main theme at EisnerAmper’s fourth Private Equity Summit, which took place in New York on September 28. Zell didn’t mince words either noting that he doesn’t see much opportunity in the capital markets today.
Tribune Media completes sale of Tribune Tower, other assets
Tribune Media has completed the sale of several real estate assets, including the Tribune Tower in Chicago. The Chicago-based company announced last month that it was selling the 1925 neo-Gothic tower to CIM Group. The sale is part of Tribune Media Co.’s ongoing efforts to sell its entire $1 billion real estate portfolio.
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Market Trends and Research
Record year for Greater Vancouver commercial properties
In B.C.’s Lower Mainland activity was brisk and prices continued to increase significantly in the commercial property market. The total dollar value of commercial real estate sales in the Lower Mainland in the first half of the year was $7.135 billion, an increase of 94 per cent over 2015, with land the most in-demand property type.
China-Ontario incubator proves to be successful
Ten more Ontario start-ups have joined the ranks of a successful first-to-market incubator for companies looking to make the most of opportunities in China thanks to a partnership between Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) and the China Canada Angels Alliance (CCAA). Last year, 10 investment-ready companies made up the inaugural cohort of the China Angels Mentorship Program (CAMP).
Alberta’s downturn has business owners turning to home offices
As many small-business owners in Alberta struggle and look for ways to reduce costs, the province is seeing renovation spending shoot up, with a notable boost in home office construction. According Statistics Canada, renovation spending in Alberta in the second quarter of 2016 increased year-over-year by 4.7 per cent. So far this year Albertans have spent $3.1-billion on residential renovations.
Real Estate Companies
Gulf & Pacific Equities signs 20 year land lease renewal
Gulf & Pacific Equities Corp. (GUF-X) an established company focused on the acquisition, management and development of anchored shopping centres in Western Canada, is pleased to announce a 20 year land lease renewal with Suncor Energy Products Partnership at St. Paul Shopping Centre, in St. Paul Alberta.
REOC Financial Reports
REITs & REOCs – Second-quarter 2016 report | |
RENX has prepared a table with a convenient list of the companies and a summary of links to their second-quarter 2016 results. Have we missed any? |
Real Estate Investment Trusts
Smart REIT: A smart away to invest in Wal-Mart Canada
Retail is a tough business. Think about the average store. Unless it serves a very small niche, it has to compete with the titans of the industry. There are also very few ways for a retail shop to differentiate itself, so they’re all left to compete on price. It becomes a race to the bottom; whoever can sell the cheapest usually gets the business.
Partners refinances B.C.’s Evergreen Shopping Centre
Partners Real Estate Investment Trust (PAR.UN-T) is pleased to announce that it has finalized an $11.9 million mortgage refinancing at the REIT’s Evergreen Shopping Centre Property in Sooke, British Columbia.
American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP buys four U.S. hotels
American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP (HOT.UN-T) has agreed to acquire through its subsidiaries, a portfolio of four Marriott-branded, select-service hotels located in Jacksonville and Lake City, Florida, and Chattanooga, Tennessee for an aggregate purchase price of US$47.0 million, excluding closing and post-acquisition adjustments.
Retail
Sears Canada unveils a new store format
Sears Canada has a new logo and a brand-new store format. Now what it really needs are some new customers, but it’s a gamble after years of sliding sales, revised retail strategies and ever-changing executives. The department store chain unveiled its latest store makeover at its Promenade Mall store in north Toronto.
At this office, curling up with a good book is encouraged
The iconic World’s Biggest Bookstore may have closed in Toronto a couple of years ago, but what qualifies as one of the world’s smallest has just opened. The 158-square-foot Penguin Shop, the size of a typical bedroom, is located in the lobby of a downtown office building and hints at what is above. Three higher floors have been transformed into Canada’s biggest hive of book publishing.
New Development
Fredericton council approves parking garage sale for $1.85M
Fredericton city council approved the sale of the parking garage at Brunswick and Carleton streets to Ross Ventures Ltd. Monday night for $1.85 million. The developer will use the structure as parking for its planned commercial and retail building on the property.
Sports Venues
New Mosaic Stadium ready for trial run
Nine months before it’s officially commissioned, the new Mosaic Stadium in Regina is ready for its first test event this Saturday. The stadium is on time and on budget according to Regina mayor Michael Fougere, with a final price tag of $278 million.
GEC Architecture scores with sports centre designs
GEC Architecture has been behind numerous innovative buildings across Alberta since it was founded 50 years ago in Calgary. The design of health, wellness and sport facilities has become a core discipline of GEC’s practice over the decades, so it’s not surprising the firm is assisting Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corp. with its CalgaryNEXT project.
Infrastructure
Feds announce plan to renovate Ottawa train station
The federal government said Thursday it will spend $20 million to install a new elevated and heated passenger platform at the Ottawa train station and make trains more accessible to passengers in wheelchairs. The first phase of the multi-year project is slated to be completed by the fall of 2017.
Feds, B.C., municipalities invest in water infrastructure
The federal and B.C. governments will announce in Victoria today the creation of a $450.1-million fund to help municipalities invest in water and wastewater treatment facilities across B.C.. Earlier this year the federal government announced a plan to double infrastructure funding to $120 billion over 10 years.
City can do better explaining major project delays
The city needs to do better at helping Edmontonians understand that delays can be expected with complicated projects like the Walterdale Bridge, 102nd Avenue Bridge and Metro Line LRT, Mayor Don Iveson says. Council’s executive committee got an update on the $155-million Walterdale Bridge, which won’t open now until mid-2017.
Sustainability
Feds launch task force on cycling and pedestrian safety
The federal government announced Thursday it will work with provinces and territories to create a task force on safety measures for cyclists and pedestrians with a focus on heavy trucks. Gareth Davies, president of the Ottawa advocacy group Citizens for Safe Cycling, said he’s “pleasantly surprised” by the momentum in the past week to make safety initiatives a priority.
Human Resources
Avison Young names Brian Bellew as managing director of enterprise solutions
Avison Young the world’s fastest-growing commercial real estate services firm announced today the strategic hiring of highly regarded corporate real estate professional Brian Bellew to become Managing Director of Enterprise Solutions. Based in the firm’s Chicago office, Bellew will lead the firm’s enterprise solutions practice and U.S.-based consulting activities.
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