Fresh off a series of wins at the Durham Region Homebuilders’ Association Awards (DHRBA) in May, Minto Communities continued its winning streak at this year’s Canadian Home Builder’s Association (CHBA) National Awards for Housing Excellence. The prestigious industry event received over 700 entries from across Canada, and nearly 200 judges reviewed images, floorplans and project descriptions before the awards were announced at a ‘virtual’ gala last Friday, June 12th.
Minto Communities received top recognition for two downtown Toronto condominium projects and the 2019 Minto Dream Home in support of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). The Saint was named the best Mid- to High-Rise Condo or Apartment Project (planned), while 123 Portland, another downtown Toronto condominium, nabbed the Marketing Award for best Brochure/Kit. Meanwhile, the popular CHEO Dream Home in Ottawa was given the Net Zero Home Award with partners Building Energy Inc. and Switch Energy.
Anchoring the east end of Adelaide Street West at 89 Church Street, The Saint is a sleek 47-storey tower designed by Wallman Architects. When designing the exterior, the architects took particular care to honour the preserved historic buildings of the neighbourhood, including nearby St. James Cathedral. At ground level, the development boasts a brick masonry podium that blends well with the adjacent historical properties, while the slender glass tower ensures a modern addition to the downtown Toronto skyline.
Inside, Japanese minimalism-inspired design with biophilic elements combine to create a serene environment. Residents will enjoy 10,000 square feet of amenity space focused on health and wellness. These include calm, supporting spaces like an infrared sauna, a rain chromotherapy room, a star-gazing room, a zen garden, and a glowing mediation room with an entire wall made of illuminated salt rock. Select units are still available for purchase and feature high ceilings, natural wood floors, and large kitchens with plenty of prep and storage space.
“Downtown Toronto is in need of housing supply for young professionals and first-time home buyers, so when Minto Communities began our work on The Saint, we really wanted to create something special,” said Matt Brown, Director, Product Development, Minto Communities GTA.
“We focused on maximizing The Saint’s amazing location through striking and neighbourhood complementary design features and building out a thorough wellness-inspired amenity program that gives residents countless opportunities to relax, decompress, and put their holistic health first. We’re thrilled with the end result and are extremely thankful for the recognition from the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Awards.”
Located on the opposite end of Adelaide Street, 123 Portland is situated in downtown Toronto’s trendy Fashion District. Designed by Sweeny & Co., the project consists of a 14-storey building rooted in a pre-modern aesthetic, inspired by Parisian apartments with Juliet balconies and dramatic French doors. To support the project, 123 Portland’s marketing brochure brought the rich and luxurious interiors to life, offering prospective homeowners a detailed preview of life along sought-after King Street West.
“123 Portland is a gorgeous property with standout features like a stunning lobby and a spectacular rooftop terrace,” said Alexis Albert, Director, Marketing, Minto Communities GTA.
“We knew we had to do this incredible development justice with a brochure that could accurately capture the vibe for future homeowners. Not only have we been extremely successful with sales for the development, now to win a Canadian Home Builders’ Association National Award for Housing Excellence is the cherry on top. We’re so glad our brochure has resonated with purchasers and it shows us we’re remaining well-positioned in a competitive marketplace.”
Last but not least, Minto Communities won the Net Zero Home Award for their 2019 Minto Dream Home in Stittsville’s Potter’s Key neighborhood. The developer has been participating in the annual CHEO Dream of a Lifetime Lottery since 2001 by constructing and donating the grand prize dream home. Last year’s home featured the Hampton model and was designed in collaboration with Tanya Collins Design. The home drew inspiration from its namesake and featured a neutral colour palette combined with exposed architectural features to deliver a sense of sophisticated coastal living, evoking the grand beach houses of the Hamptons in New York.
The 2019 Dream Home was also notable for its certification as a Net Zero Energy home, which means it’s 80 percent more energy-efficient than the typical new-build. It also produces the same amount of energy as it consumes on an annual basis, leading to lower energy costs for the homeowners and less impact on the environment. The grand prize package also included an electric vehicle and a garage fully equipped with a car charging station, allowing the winner to live and drive with minimal energy costs.
For more information on The Saint, 123 Portland and the CHEO Dream Home, please visit minto.com.
