From creating urban gardens with beehives to developing an app that optimizes HVAC efficiency, the property managers of the buildings within HOOPP’s real estate portfolio once again demonstrated a commitment to innovation and sustainability in 2021. Since 2012, HOOPP has honoured over 110 property managers for their property initiatives and sustainability solutions at the LEAP Awards, all in the spirit of advancing sustainability across our real estate portfolio.
At this year’s LEAP Awards, 10 HOOPP property managers were recognized for their work in the areas of sustainability, innovation, and leadership. In addition to the existing categories, a new award was introduced this year: the Industrial Leader Award, to recognize that all types of properties play a role in the health and vibrancy of communities. The full list of categories is below.
“HOOPP’s real estate management partners continue to surpass our expectations,” said Eric Plesman, Head of Global Real Estate. “Year after year, they continue to help us deliver on the goal of responsible stewardship, which is a key component of both our real estate strategy and HOOPP’s overall Sustainable Investing approach.”
He added: “Being able to engage our partners in this way allows HOOPP to make a positive difference in our global portfolio footprint while also driving positive change in the industry at large.”
Accompanying this year’s awards was the release of HOOPP’s 2021 Real Estate Sustainability Report. HOOPP reports each year on progress in areas such as energy, waste, water and carbon emissions, as well as engagement with our tenants and the communities where our properties are located.
HOOPP is a global leader in sustainable real estate practices and we aim to make a positive difference through our global portfolio footprint – more than 75 million square feet of office, retail, residential and industrial space at more than 215 locations across Canada, the United States and Europe. At the same time, HOOPP’s real estate portfolio continues to outperform its financial benchmarks.
Plesman said: “Sustainable investing and maximizing returns for our members go hand in hand. Being able to fulfil the pension promise to our more than 400,000 members is a driving factor in our decision to prioritize sustainable real estate investing across the portfolio.”
Learn more about HOOPP’s sustainability efforts.
The winners of this year’s LEAP Awards are:
Tenant Collaboration Award
Winner: The Amazing Brentwood (SHAPE Properties)
Burnaby, British Columbia
For installing a novel kind of ventilation technology in their food court to reduce odour and volatile organic compounds, an initiative that has additional sustainability impacts including reducing over 200 tons of emissions.
Community Impact Award
Winner: Hyatt Regency Bethesda (The Meridian Group)
Bethesda, Maryland
For participating in an initiative called Operation Allies Welcome, a coordinated effort by the United States Federal Government to support and resettle vulnerable Afghan refugees.
Winner: Portfolio Initiative (Knightstone Capital Management Inc.)
Toronto, Ontario
For creating a virtual educational campaign focused on the celebration of National Indigenous People’s Day.
Technology Innovator Award
Winner: 1,2,8 Prologis (Triovest Realty Advisors Inc.)
Mississauga, Ontario
For implementing innovative technology to fine tune their HVAC and building system performance through real-time analytics, which saved nearly $50,000 and reduced emissions by 200 tons of CO2 equivalent.
Climate Leader Award
Winner: Portfolio Initiative (GWL Realty Advisors, Inc.)
Toronto, Ontario
For working with a third party to complete a detailed physical climate risk assessment of their entire HOOPP-owned portfolio, allowing the manager to prioritize assets for planning and determine best practice mitigation measures.
Sustainability Achiever Award
Winner: 25 York Street (Menkes Property Management Services Ltd.)
Toronto, Ontario
For having the best overall Pillar Scorecard performance, the highest BOMA Best score in the world, as well as the National Green Building Excellence Award for an Existing Building by the Canada Green Building Council.
Industrial Leader Award
Winner: Glenwood Industrial Estates (Triovest Realty Advisors Inc.)
Burnaby, British Columbia
For implementing battery-powered landscaping equipment manufactured by their tenant, leading to fuel savings and a reduction in emissions.
Stakeholder Engagement Innovator Award
Winner: 2001 Robert Bourassa (GWL Realty Advisors)
Montreal, Quebec
For partnering with a tenant to co-finance the transformation of an unoccupied rooftop into an urban garden and beehive, offering tenants contact with nature while reducing rainwater runoff and the heat island effect common in urban areas.
Sustainable Operator Award
Winner: 4711 Yonge St. (Menkes Property Management Services Ltd.)
Toronto, Ontario
For contributing to the development of an app to help building operators optimize HVAC efficiency, and for implementing energy saving initiatives that saved enough electricity annually to power 77 homes.
Sustainable Fund Award
Winner: Anthem Row (The Meridian Group)
Bethesda, Maryland
For the creation of numerous policies to promote peace of mind for tenants and ensure a healthy environment during the pandemic, including the creation of a Contagious Disease Outbreak Prevention Preparedness Plan to safeguard against future pandemics.
About the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan
HOOPP serves Ontario’s hospital and community-based healthcare sector, with more than 620 participating employers and 420,000 active, deferred and retired members. It operates as a private independent trust and is governed by a Board of Trustees with a sole fiduciary duty to deliver the pension promise.
HOOPP is fully funded and manages a highly diversified portfolio of more than $114 billion in assets. The 10-year annualized rate of return is 11.06%. HOOPP’s investing success is delivered by an in-house team of investment professionals.
HOOPP’s real estate portfolio has a market value of more than $20 billion, spanning multiple geographies and asset classes (office, logistics, retail, residential). The Fund continues to grow both the scale and scope of this portfolio, with a focus on high-quality assets and best-in-class partners that share our sustainable investing approach and creation of long-term value for our members. The real estate portfolio had a currency-hedged return of 8.3% over the past five years.
Contact:
James Geuzebroek, Director, Media and External Communications
jgeuzebroek@hoopp.com