Former Downtown Toronto Lever Brothers Site Sold to First Gulf

TORONTO, Jan. 26, 2012 /CNW/ - Unilever Canada announced today the sale of its Don Valley site to First Gulf Corporation. The site is a 28.5 acre property located immediately east of the Don Valley Parkway at the Lakeshore Boulevard.

The site was formerly a soap factory first established in 1892 by Lever Brothers. Lever Brothers was a pioneer in producing the first individually wrapped, hand-sized packages of soap which were an important step forward in improving daily hygiene in the late 19^th century.

"We are delighted that First Gulf has acquired the site and that they will bring their significant expertise to the future development of this important downtown Toronto location on the waterfront," said John Coyne, Vice President of Legal and External Affairs of Unilever Canada.

David Gerofsky, CEO of First Gulf Corporation stated "We are thrilled to have acquired this site and we are looking forward to redeveloping it into a vibrant business area to the benefit of all Torontonians."

"Waterfront Toronto welcomes today's announcement and congratulates Unilever on the sale," said John Campbell, President & CEO of Waterfront Toronto. "First Gulf is part of the Great Gulf Group which has proven itself to be a solid development partner with us on its Monde development on the waterfront. It is a company that responds to the design, sustainability and community building objectives that Waterfront Toronto is implementing across the waterfront.  We are pleased to see the momentum with which private development is contributing to the revitalization of our waterfront. "

About Unilever
Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of fast moving consumer goods with strong operations in more than 100 countries and sales in 180. With products that are used over two billion times a day around the world, we work to create a better future every day and help people feel good, look good and get more out of life with brands and services that are good for them and good for others. In Canada the portfolio includes brand icons such as: Axe, Becel, Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli, Breyers, Degree, Dove personal care products, Good Humor, Hellmann's, Klondike, Knorr,  Lipton, Nexxus, Noxzema, Popsicle, Q-Tips, Ragu, Skippy, St. Ives, TIGI, TRESemmé, and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies. Unilever Canada employs more than 1,600 people generating over $1 billion in sales in 2011. For more information, please visit www.unilever.ca.

About First Gulf Corporation
The First Gulf Corporation (www.firstgulf.com) includes First Gulf, Great Gulf Homes, Great Gulf Condominiums, Ashton Woods Homes, and Taboo Resort. Since 1975, First Gulf has been building commercial developments across the GTA. First Gulf has been active in Toronto's downtown commercial sector and is currently undertaking the adaptive reuse and renovation/addition of 333 King St E, the offices of the Toronto Sun and the new Canadian headquarters of Coca Cola Canada.

David Gerofsky
CEO, FIRST GULF CORPORATION
D: [phone]
C: [phone]
E: [email protected]

John Coyne
VP and General Counsel, Unilever Canada
D: [phone]
C: [phone]
E: [email protected]

Katharine Williams
Communications Manager, Unilever Canada
D: [phone]
C: [phone]
E: [email protected]