This week, we celebrated Earth Day, which serves as a global call to action for environmental protection and sustainability. At Concert Properties, our commitment isn’t limited to a single day; it's woven into our ethos and operations, showcased in transformative developments like our master-planned community, The Kip District.
From the project's inception, we focused on laying the foundation for sustainable living. Situated in Etobicoke, The Kip District transformed former commercial buildings and a parking lot into a vibrant community. Once fully realized, the development will feature five towers with a network of green space, as well as convenient retail shops and services. During the first phase of development, this visionary transformation earned us the 2015 Master Planned Community of the Year – High Rise Master Plan award from the National Association of Homebuilders.
The Kip District prioritizes outdoor amenity space and pedestrian connectivity across the six-acre site. With an impressive Transit Score of 95 and a Walk Score of 88—measures of how well a location is served by walkability and proximity to public transit—the transit-oriented master-planned community is less than a five-minute walk to the Kipling Transit Hub. This connects residents to all parts of the Greater Toronto Area. The Kip District also offers residents secure bike storage and electric vehicle charging stations with future expansion provisions to encourage sustainable transportation choices now and in the future.
Phase One was completed in 2018 and featured a 28-storey condominium with 282 homes. In 2023, we completed Phase Two comprising a 24-storey condominium offering 250 homes and 20 Samuel Wood, a purpose-built rental apartment rising 21 storeys and offering 233 homes, including 70 affordable homes. Both towers have been built to LEED Gold Canada certification and Tier 2 Toronto Green Standard certification.
This latest phase integrates progressive green technologies, aiming for 25.5% energy-efficiency savings and a 34.2% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Key features include an integrated building automation system, highly effective in-suite HVAC systems, LED lighting throughout and high-efficiency boilers to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Other sustainable design elements encompass programmable thermostats, in-suite sub-metering for electricity, water and thermal consumption and low-flow water fixtures targeting a 45-40% reduction in water use. The development also features a rainwater cistern for landscape irrigation and prioritizes waste management through multi-stream recycling, organics, and garbage diversion systems.
We utilize Measurabl, an ESG data management tool, to monitor building health and performance. We also leverage AI with Ecopilot to automate building systems, enhancing resident comfort while minimizing energy consumption.
“Delivering on our ESG commitments is more than a choice; it’s our responsibility to the communities we serve and a key part of building long-term value,” said Ruth Legg, Vice President of Environment, Sustainability & Governance at Concert Properties.
With the final phase currently under development, which will include a condominium residence rising 37 storeys with 416 homes and a 36-storey rental tower offering 379 homes, the completed community will not only be a testament to our commitment to sustainable living, but a reflection of our vision to build a people-first future.