Innovation. It’s what keeps society moving forward, progressing, evolving toward whatever comes next. And at Collecdev, it’s always top of mind. We’re constantly seeking out the latest technologies to keep our communities engaging, sustainable, and future-proofed. We make it our business to stay informed, do extensive research, and then incorporate the systems that help us respond to shifting market demands, a strategy that recently led us to pursue an innovative new approach to sales.

The COVID-19 crisis has had a massive impact on the way we live. New terms like “social distancing” have entered the vernacular, influencing where we go, who we see, and how we interact. Businesses have had to adapt, including the real estate industry, but thanks to our forward-thinking approach and our early adoption of a series of digital solutions we were already well positioned to respond. The platforms used by our team pre-COVID have taken on even greater importance in recent months, making the sales experience more convenient and accessible than ever before.

Today customers may not be able to make it into a sales centre in person, but with Blackline 2.0 they can still enjoy the full sales experience from a safe social distance. The innovative point of sale platform provides access to full-feature digital sales presentations from a smartphone, tablet, laptop – anywhere with an internet connection. Customers can view 3D architectural models, brochures, and virtual tours, they can compare floorplans, select their desired unit, and even close the sale with the help of their agent and Avesdo, interactive software that not only lets you purchase a new condo from the comfort of your living room, but delivers the added benefit of automating time-consuming tasks like signing every page of the Agreement of Purchase and Sale.

For some, the real fun begins after signing on the dotted line, when it’s time to select the design and décor for their new home. For that, there’s The Interactive Abode, an interactive décor program that we recently engaged for TRETTI and Westwood Gardens. Using the software, buyers can decorate their new home via an intuitive, user-friendly interface that renders digitally selected finishes in real time, on screen. Even before province-wide protocols limited in-person appointments, our interactive décor studio was a hit with purchasers who enjoyed the freedom to select finishes and customize their space at their own pace.

“That’s the key element,” says Collecdev’s VP of Sales and Marketing, Natascha Pieper, “the true benefit of these innovative sales tools is not the ability to maintain social distancing in the current pandemic, but the convenience of a sales process that fits into your schedule, letting you research, plan, purchase, and design on your terms. It’s just another example of our forward-thinking approach to development – designing systems, spaces, and communities that put the buyer at the centre of everything we do.”

With increased awareness of energy use and environmental sustainability coupled, plus more stringent green standards set out by Greater Toronto Area (GTA) municipalities, a new generation of condominium buildings are being designed with a focus on reduced carbon footprints and long-term savings for residents. One method of harnessing a build site’s stored energy is the construction of geothermal systems that draw heat energy from deep below a building’s footprint, converting it to usable, renewable power. One developer now incorporating these systems into certain projects is Collecdev, with two GTA condo developments under construction with geothermal energy systems, and another soon to begin.

April view of construction at Westwood Gardens

On Yonge Street in Richmond Hill, Westwood Gardens is well into construction, with the structure beginning to rise above a network of pipes and pumps that extend deep into the earth below it. The aerial view above from a few months ago shows the building beginning to rise above grade, while the diagram below gives an idea of the underground network that draws geothermal energy to power the building, with cool water pumped into the earth returning to the building heated up.

Geothermal energy system at Westwood Gardens

Geothermal systems can displace most of the natural gas usage typically required for a building of this size, reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions by over 70% per year compared to a conventional building, something of this size offsetting carbon emissions by the equivalent of 140 fewer cars on the road each year. The elimination of associated cooling towers in the mechanical penthouse will also save over 5 million litres of water per year, and eliminate the need for harmful coolant chemicals. Geothermal offers reliability in all seasons, with energy drawn from deep below the surface where the temperature doesn’t fluctuate, providing both a sustainable source of heat and energy to power a building.

Sustainability features at Tretti Condos

The same system is in its earliest stages at the site of Tretti Condos, near Wilson subway station in northwest Toronto, while nearby, Collecdev is gearing up to install another of geothermal system at the recently sold-out Nordic Condos development on Wilson. Both of these systems are being built under 30-year agreements that include a performance guarantee and predictable costs.

April view of construction at Tretti Condos, image by Forum contributor drum118

While these systems add up-front costs during planning and construction, immediate property value benefits and long-term cost benefits come from reduced reliance on external power, while a reduction of environmental impacts are becoming more evident to builders and suite purchasers. With widespread implementation, these systems—along with other recent advances including innovations in laminated timber and carbon-trapping concrete—have the potential to vastly improve sustainability for the next generation of buildings.

Sustainability features at Nordic Condos

Source: Urban Toronto

The Toronto real estate market has been described as one of the most competitive in the world, so hearing that Collecdev has been recognized by Toronto’s leading building industry association as a finalist in six Pinnacle categories at the 2020 BILD Awards, is a truly extraordinary achievement.

Collecdev has been honoured in the most prestigious pinnacle categories including:

• Home Builder of the Year – Mid/High Rise
• Green Builder of the Year – Mid/High Rise
• Project of the Year, Mid/High-Rise – TRETTI
• People’s Choice Award – TRETTI
• Best High-Rise Building Design – Nørdic
• Best High-Rise Building Design – TRETTI

Home Builder of the Year – Mid/High Rise
At BILD, Home Builder of the Year is a title awarded to those who set the standard for the rest of the industry through their professionalism and dedication to excellence.

This award acknowledges that good development isn’t just about great architecture, or thoughtful amenities that offer opportunities to engage and socialize, it isn’t just about suites that pack smarter living into smaller spaces, or building systems that help preserve the environment. Good development is about delivering all of that while taking the long-term view to address the way people really want to live. It’s exactly what we do at Collecdev, each and every day.

We achieve this through our commitment to exceptional design and construction quality, excellence in customer care, our dedication to ongoing professional development and corporate citizenship. All of which are guided by our three pillars: Social Sustainability, Experiential Design and Environmental Stewardship.

We believe that smarter development today is the foundation for a better future and being recognized in this category is proof that our hard work has not gone unnoticed.

Green Builder of the Year – Mid/High Rise
Green Builder of the Year recognizes builders who demonstrate outstanding leadership in green building practices. Thanks to our dedication to environmental stewardship, this esteemed group includes Collecdev.

Throughout our communities we are committed to designing sustainable architecture that is not only environmentally-conscious and energy-saving, but that also utilizes responsive and renewable materials and systems to create ecological balance.

Our buildings are designed to achieve Toronto Green Standards (TSG) certification through green building initiatives which include geothermal technology, green roofs, high performance thermal envelope, bird friendly glazing, circadian rhythm lighting and electric car charging stations to name a few. Already popular in many European countries, geothermal heating and cooling reduces the environmental impact of urban development, while addressing evolving customer needs. It uses about 40% less energy than a traditional HVAC system, and produces 70% less greenhouse gas. It saves over 5 million litres of water every year, all while offering residents predictable monthly maintenance fees.

A key feature at TRETTI, Nørdic, and Westwood Gardens, geothermal energy brings us one step closer to our goal of reducing the carbon footprint of our communities, minimizing any adverse impact on the natural environment while building long lasting, healthy urban landscapes.

Project of the Year, Mid/High-Rise – TRETTI
Project of the Year represent the best of the best – buildings that combine excellence in design and marketing, and that exemplify quality and innovation. At TRETTI, the journey to becoming a finalist for Project of the Year began with our three key pillars. Together, they created the foundation for an affordable, sustainable, well-designed community with exceptional access to transit, nature, and modern amenities. TRETTI was an ideal candidate for this award, a complete community designed to help more people live smarter, live better, live happier.

People’s Choice Award – TRETTI
The People’s Choice Award recognizes excellence and innovation in the home building industry, as voted on and selected by the public. TRETTI already received a phenomenal reception during sales, selling out 100% of market units within two months, and this nomination confirms the strong relationship we’ve developed with future residents. To be selected by the greater Toronto community is truly an incredible honour.

Best High-Rise Building Design – Nørdic
Best High-Rise Building Design celebrates excellence in architectural design, examining how a building complements its surroundings, integrates into the existing neighbourhood, and optimizes site and land area. At Nørdic, these criteria were always top of mind.

The contemporary 12-storey building façade is accentuated with balconies, terraces and expansive double-glazed windows, offering abundant natural light from every angle. The configuration of suites allows for optimum space planning and maximum privacy alongside spacious balconies that allow residents to experience the outdoors as a harmonious extension of their indoor space. It’s beautiful architecture that blends seamlessly with the surrounding neighbourhood, enhancing the experience for all.

Best High-Rise Building Design – TRETTI
The vision for TRETTI was simple: clean lines, thoughtful design, and a strong connection to the outdoors. These same features exemplify the criteria for Best High-Rise Building Design.

Rising up 13 storeys in the heart of Wilson Heights, TRETTI’s design sits at the intersection of architecture, urbanism, and landscape, creating an engaging place that inspires emotional and physical wellbeing for residents and visitors.

Wide shallow suite layouts maximize natural light, while terraces and balconies extend living space beyond the physical walls. The architecture uses simple geometry to form engaging visual planes that integrate into the existing neighbourhood and create a cozy residential niche. TRETTI delivers craftsmanship, functionality, and accessibility in one beautiful package. Timeless design that encourages community and enriches the residential experience.

The winners of the 2020 BILD Awards will be announced September 10, 2020.