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Two Tridel condo buildings get the green stamp of approval Verve and Nuvo 2 at Essex earn LEED Gold and Silver

Company recognized by Ontario Home Builders’ Association and J.D. Power and Associates

TORONTO, ON - November 16, 2009 - Tridel’s Verve in downtown Toronto and Nuvo 2 at Essex in Etobicoke have been recognized with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) GOLD and SILVER certification respectively from the Canadian Green Building Council. Verve and Nuvo 2 at Essex represent Tridel’s first communities to receive this internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED building certification recognizes that buildings have achieved sustainability in all key environmental areas: site development, water efficiency, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

“These important achievements come from a commitment our President Leo DelZotto made in 2005 to adopt LEED as the minimum standard for all our new buildings,” said Rambod Nasrin, Sustainability Manager for Tridel. “Tridel now represents about 10 per cent of all LEED commercial projects in Canada, with over seven million square feet of LEED-registered projects. This is a serious commitment toward greening the high-rise development industry.” 

Verve is in the heart of Toronto at the intersection of Sherbourne Street and Wellesley Street East. The 444 homes in the 39-storey tower and six-storey loft feature:

1. Energy Star appliances, high efficiency lighting and Autoshare membership for all residents
2. A cost effective central heat-recovery ventilator system for continuous ventilation and better indoor air quality
3. Building materials that have high recycled content that were manufactured regionally
4. Paints and adhesives for interior finishings that are low volatile organic for all suites and common areas.

“I am very proud to live in a LEED Gold certified building,” said John Randall, Verve resident and Board President. “I’ve been reducing my environmental foot print ever since I moved in a year ago. Each unit is individually metered, so right away I noticed the cost savings in my monthly bills for hydro and water.”

Nuvo 2 is Tridel’s newest condominium at The Essex community, located next to Kipling subway station. The 29-storey residence is home to more than 500 residents who enjoy reduced costs as a result of the green building design. Nuvo 2 features:

1. 34 per cent more energy efficiency than a building designed to code
2. Increased bike storage
3. Convenient access to the subway
4. A community that promotes car independence

“My condo came with energy saving appliances and a smart meter, and I feel I’m really doing my part for the environment,” said Midge Castiglione, Nuvo 2 resident and Board President. “The other residents and I were also delighted to receive a six month supply of green cleaning products from Tridel to reduce the impact that cleaning chemicals have on the environment.”

Tridel buildings are designed to reduce their environmental impact through energy savings, reduced emissions and water conservation with:

1. Low-flow high pressure faucets, dual flush toilets and rain water capture that can save each community approximately 15 million litres of water annually. (This equates to 15 million litres less water at downstream treatment facilities and upstream delivery for the city’s water infrastructure.)
2. An average of 30 to 40 per cent savings in energy consumption for each green building compared to code. This translates to cost savings to homeowners, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions in each community by over 500 tonnes annually, which is equivalent to planting 2,500 trees each year.

“We build homes today that will be peoples’ homes for generations to come,” explains Danielle Feidler, Vice President of Customer Care for Tridel. “We want them to make the most of it. That’s why our consumer and employee educational program called How You Live is as Important as Where You Live offers tours, workshops and educational guides to residents to highlight all the features in our buildings and communities.”

“The LEED process certifies a building after construction is completed, which can occur three to four years after initial design. Achieving these certifications requires a collaborative effort from the entire team during design, construction and occupancy,” said Peter Meneguzzi, Director of Project Management for Tridel. “It’s rewarding to see how everything came together to achieve this milestone in Tridel’s green history.”

About Tridel

Tridel® is Canada’s leading developer and builder of condominium residences with more than 70 years of homebuilding experience. To date the Tridel Group of Companies is responsible for producing over 70,000 homes, and continues to lead the industry in innovation, technology, and design. Tridel is determined to develop condominium communities that meet the needs of today’s homeowners while safeguarding the well being of future generations. The company is working to meet this goal by focusing on environmentally sustainable design and performance in construction and corporate stewardship.

Tridel Launches Nuvo 2 At The Essex

Nuvo 2 is the Fourth Residence in One of Etobicoke’s Most Successful Condominium Communities

Etobicoke, Ontario… In December 2000, Tridel introduced the Essex to Etobicoke, providing prospective purchasers both a fantastic location and great value for their money. Over the last five years this community has grown to include the Essex 2 and Nuvo at Essex, all the while offering the style and convenience of downtown living without the downtown cost. Continuing in this fashion, Tridel is unveiling Nuvo 2, the newest condominium planned for the community.

Set within a parkland setting of gardens, courtyards and walkways, The Essex community is an enviable escape from city life. The 29-storey Nuvo 2 at Essex, will complement the first three residences at The Essex with warm brick facades, painted glass spandrels and limestone-styled accents.

A curved and colonnaded entry leads to the grand two-level lobby that combines contemporary elegance with downtown flare. The inviting lobby blends curving lines with warm colours and natural materials to create a space that is simple, yet elegant. A stunning sculptured staircase links the upper and lower levels of the lobby, and acts as a focal point with its sweeping curves flowing from one level to the other. A stunning sculpture garden and water feature on the lower level also adds to the serene atmosphere.

Stylish and Affordable Suites

Following in the footsteps of Nuvo at Essex, which is now under construction, Nuvo 2 at Essex will offer the calibre of suite designs, amenities and security that is only found in the most desirable downtown locations – but without the high prices. Nuvo 2 at Essex offers a selection of one-bedroom, one-bedroom plus den, two-bedroom and two-bedroom plus den suite configurations, ranging in size from to square feet. Many suites include a balcony for outdoor living, and prices range from $166,000 for a one-bedroom design, up to $315,000 for a two-bedroom plus den design.

At the heart of every Nuvo 2 suite is a great kitchen with a selection of Nuvo 2 Signature Cabinetry and square-edge granite countertops, a ceramic tile backsplash and four black, premium appliances. Each kitchen also includes a breakfast bar, island or eat-in breakfast area.

Premium plank laminate floating floors are found in the kitchen and continue into the open concept living and dining area. In the bathroom, residents can also choose from a selection of Nuvo 2 Signature Vanity Cabinetry and cast granite countertops with a rectangular basin, which are complimented by ceramic tile floors, a vanity mirror, decorative wall sconce lighting and a luxurious deep soaker tub.

Each two-bedroom suite is a split bedroom design, with the spacious, open-concept living and dining room as the centrepiece of the suite. Flanking one side of the central living area is the large master bedroom, which is complete with an ensuite bathroom and a walk-in closet, while the second bedroom is located on the other side of the suite, with an additional bathroom, providing privacy for residents and guests. Each suite also features an in-suite laundry area, complete with a stacked washer and dryer, as well as a heating and cooling system for your comfort and convenience, while a personally encoded suite intrusion alarm, smoke and heat detectors add to your safety.

A Community For Tomorrow

In addition to building a stylish, affordable community in which to live, Tridel will implement its “Naturally Better” program at Nuvo 2 at Essex, a program that will give residents a high performance, efficient home, where they will directly benefit from a healthier living environment and reduced maintenance costs.

Nuvo 2 at Essex will come with numerous environmentally preferred features, including an efficient vertical fan coil heating and air conditioning system in each suite, as well as a central building water filtration system, and low-E, argon gas filled, double pane, awning style windows. Other great features include lighting fixtures designed for energy saving compact fluorescent bulbs, high efficiency ENERGY STAR® appliances, water saving toilets, faucets and showers, and low maintenance plank floors. Residents will benefit from environmentally preferable corridor carpeting, wall coverings, adhesives, coatings and paints with low volatile organic compounds that help to minimize toxic odours, both in their suite and in the buildings common areas. Each suite will also be individually metered so that residents who conserve energy will pay less in utility costs.

Nuvo 2 at Essex will be Tridel’s third condominium registered for LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification by The Canada Green Building Council. LEED® defines green buildings by establishing a common standard of measurement, promoting integrated, whole building design practices and raising consumer awareness of green building benefits. It’s the most recognized certification system for green buildings in North America.

Great Amenities, Great Community

Nuvo 2 will also provide residents with the very latest in athletic and social amenities at the 20,000 square foot Club Nuvo. This state-of-the-art recreation facility will include a fully equipped exercise room, aerobics studio and fitness lounge, an indoor pool, a whirlpool and separate men’s and women’s changing facilities, complete with saunas and steam rooms. Other amenities include Tridel’s famous Virtual Golf Centre, an elaborate party room with bar and caterer’s kitchen, a private dining room, a screening theatre, a lobby rooftop pavilion, and several beautifully appointed guest suites, not to mention a cards room, a billiards room and a business centre.

Only steps from the Kipling subway and GO station, residents can reach the downtown core in 20 minutes via subway, or can find themselves at Union Station in just 12 minutes by GO train. Travelling in and out of the area by car is easy with Highways 401, 409, 427 and the QEW mere minutes away. Lester B. Pearson International Airport is within a 10-minute drive and Bloor Street to the north offers motorists with an alternative route into downtown Toronto.

East of The Essex community are the cafés, and boutiques of Bloor West Village. This area is home to dozens of restaurants catering to just about anyone’s tastes. Meanwhile, minutes to the west, residents can find the Sherway Gardens Shopping Centre. This mall houses Holt Renfrew, Club Monaco, Sporting Life, Roots and The Gap to name a few, and is anchored by Sears and The Bay. Adjacent to the shopping complex residents can also find a host of great retailers. Heading south to the Queensway, Essex residents can enjoy a night at the movies or continue their shopping adventures at Costco or Ikea. And right on their doorstep, at Six Points Plaza, is the convenience of a large drug store, and a variety of shops and restaurants.

Nuvo 2 at Essex Sales Centre

For more information on Nuvo 2 at Essex, interested purchasers can visit the Nuvo 2 at Essex Sales Centre, located on Viking Road, south of Dundas Street immediately west of Kipling Avenue in Etobicoke. A model suite is also open for viewing in the Essex Phase 1 located at 5229 Dundas Street West. The Sales Centre is open Monday to Thursday from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and Friday, Weekends and Holidays from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information please call 416.231.0999.

Builder Known for Quality

Tridel is Canada’s leading developer and builder of condominium residences with more than 70 years of homebuilding experience. To date the Tridel Group of Companies is responsible for producing over 66,500 homes, and continues to lead the industry in innovation, technology and design. Tridel is determined to develop condominium communities that meet the needs of today’s homeowners while safeguarding the wellbeing of future generations. The company is working to meet this goal by focusing on environmentally sustainable building design, performance in construction and corporate stewardship. In recognition of Tridel’s outstanding service to its homeowners, Tridel was awarded the coveted Customer Service High-Rise Builder of the Year Award by Tarion Warranty Corporation in 2005 for the second year in a row. Tridel was also recognized as High-Rise Home Builder of the Year by the Greater Toronto Home Builders’ Association in 2004.