Minto Continues Banner Season of LEED Certifications

OTTAWA, Dec. 21, 2012 /CNW/ - The Minto Group continued its stellar streak of third-party recognition for its commitment to green building after achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications for five more of its developments in 2012. Awarded by the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC), LEED® is an internationally recognized third party verification program for more sustainable building and energy performance.

Beginning in the spring, Minto's Stonefield Flats community in Ottawa, the largest LEED® for Homes multi-family community in Canada, received LEED® for Homes Silver certification. Stonefield Flats was also named Green Development of the Year by the Greater Ottawa Home Builders' Association in 2011.

In August, Spring @ MintoGardens in Toronto's North York region was certified LEED® Gold. The 33-storey condominium blends energy efficiency and water conservation technologies with progressive architecture to provide a modern and comfortable living experience in a healthy, quality building designed to save homeowners money while reducing the impact on the environment.

In September, Minto Richgrove Townhomes in Toronto was certified LEED® Silver. Comprised of three stacked town home blocks near Eglinton Ave. West and Martingrove Drive, the building is designed to reduce its energy usage by approximately 40% compared to a more conventional building.

Also in September, mintoSkyy, located at Broadview Ave. and Pottery Road in Toronto, was certified LEED® Gold. The 23-storey condominium and collection of two-storey townhomes are now sold out.

In early November, 180 Kent, Minto's 20-storey commercial office tower and Ottawa head offices received the highest standard in LEED® certification, LEED® Platinum - making it the first LEED Core and Shell Platinum certification of an office tower in Canada and the largest LEED® Core and Shell Platinum building that the CaGBC has certified to date.

"I would like to congratulate Minto on an impressive year of building that strongly demonstrates their ongoing commitment to sustainability," says Thomas Mueller, President and CEO of the Canada Green Building Council. "By certifying five new LEED projects in 2012, Minto is setting an example for other developers to follow - one that says that by building to higher standards companies can be both profitable and environmentally responsible."

Minto has a standing commitment to seek third party validation on all of its new communities built in Ontario and Florida. Since 2009, Minto has built and qualified over 2,200 ENERGY STAR® homes and has certified over 1,400 homes under various LEED® programs. Notable industry recognition include being awarded the Ontario Home Builders' Association (OHBA) GREEN Builder of the Year award in 2008, 2010 and 2011 and being named the OHBA Home Builder of the Year in 2012.

About Minto: The Minto Group, established in 1955, is an Ottawa-based real estate, development, construction and property management company with operations also in Toronto, London (ON), Calgary, and South Florida.

SOURCE: The Minto Group

Gwen Cox, Director of Communications
613-782-3128
[email protected]