The 23rd floor of the TD Bank Tower in the Toronto-Dominion Centre became the first WELL Gold-certified space in the world in May, and the 4.3-million-square-foot complex added another honour to its growing list of awards early this fall.

The downtown Toronto Toronto-Dominion Centre received The Outstanding Building of the Year (TOBY) Award for buildings larger than a million square feet from Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of Canada on Sept. 22 as part of its BOMEX 2016 conference and exhibition.

“Our initiatives are not built around awards, rather the awards are a result of a constant pursuance of innovative leadership and success,” said Toronto-Dominion Centre general manager David Hoffman. “We know that investments in industry-leading programs and certifications not only provide reputational benefits for TD Centre, but also ensure that our tenants’ businesses are authentically supported.”

Toronto-Dominion Centre’s six LEED EB:O&M Platinum towers are owned by Cadillac Fairview Corporation Ltd. and OPB (TDC) Inc., and managed by Cadillac Fairview. They’re home to 220 office and retail tenants that employ more than 20,000 people.

TD Centre’s convenient location

Toronto-Dominion Centre has 430 bicycle racks and a secured bike cage, as well as two Bike Share Toronto locations. It’s within walking distance of hotels, theatres, conference centres, sporting venues and restaurants, and is linked to the PATH network that provides easy access to TTC and GO Transit and connections to neigbouring buildings.

“TD Centre is a community unto itself and we pride ourselves on being able to offer a live-play-work balance,” said Hoffman. “Not only do we offer great amenities, from restaurants to health and wellness facilities to sustainable services, our biophilic design is second to none.

“The use of natural materials in our building design, our expansive courtyard and our living roof all help to reconnect our tenants to the natural world and create a healthy and productive environment.”

These factors have probably contributed to the enthusiastic tenant buy-in to Toronto-Dominion Centre’s occupant engagement program in driving green consciousness and practices through education and outreach.

Strong tenant engagement

“Our management team is firmly committed to the belief that the highest performing buildings are achieved when decisions are made collectively, with our tenants, with a transparency that builds trust and encourages action,” said Hoffman. “We are the only single commercial property, separate from our parent organization, who provides transparency into our programs, performance outcomes and future plans through our annual sustainability report.”

Toronto-Dominion Centre has reduced its energy use by 6.9 per cent since 2013 and reduced its water use by 42 per cent from a 2008 baseline through irrigation technology, low-flow cleaning, and the installation of sensors and low-flow toilets, urinals and faucets. The 2004 introduction of Enwave deep lake water cooling has reduced the carbon footprint by 23,000 tons of carbon dioxide. Toronto-Dominion Centre has an 81 per cent waste diversion rate.

While doing their part to reduce their property’s environmental impact, Toronto-Dominion Centre management, tenants and business partners also support charities and community organizations.

TD Centre’s charitable activities

Charitable endeavours have included: the annual Bike for Tykes event in support of Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation; Hockey Helps the Homeless; JDRF Real Estate Ride for Diabetes; Canstruction in support of the Daily Bread Food Bank; the Underground Clothing Drive & Sidewalk Sale; Real Estate Climb for the United Way; the CF Run/Walk for Kids to support the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario; and the Design Exchange Gala.

Toronto-Dominion Centre opens its courtyard to tenants for staff appreciation and charity fundraising events, including United Way fundraising barbecues, bake sales, an ice bucket challenge and obstacle courses. An on-site community kiosk in the concourse level is available for all registered charities to fundraise and promote their organizations.

“Our approach results in efficient operations, thriving workplaces, forward-focused actions and enhanced property stewardship, all for the ultimate goal of supporting and delivering long-term success,” said Hoffman.