8 green condos in the GTA

On April 22, we're celebrating Earth Day, a day that reminds us to think about how we can all live more sustainably. But to make a real difference to the future of our planet, our commitment to live green has to go beyond this one day: it needs to be something we do every day, in all parts of our lives.

Luckily, more and more condo developers are realizing the importance of sustainability, and they’re building innovative green residences that save energy, operate on a reduced footprint, use responsible materials and more. If you want to find ways to make our future a little better, living in a unit in one of these 8 thoughtful GTA condo developments can be a great start.

Aqualina at Bayside

15 Merchants Wharf & 55 Merchants Wharf

The first Toronto condo (and only the second in Canada) with LEED Platinum certification, Aqualina is part of an exciting master-planned, mixed-use community that has taken shape in the city’s evolving Waterfront neighbourhood. 

• It’s 45% more efficient than the national energy code says it has to be, with energy-saving tech throughout like high-efficiency lighting, a rooftop solar power array

• It included a groundbreaking net-zero dwelling that produces as much energy it consumes

• The thoughtful design encourages sustainable lifestyles. (Think community gardens, non-car transportation options, local materials, etc.) 

River City 1, 2 & 3

51 Trolley Cres. & 47 Lower River St., 20-38 Trolley Cres., 70 Bayview Ave.

This vibrant community built on a former brownfield site (land previously used for industrial-commercial purposes) takes sustainable living pretty seriously. All three phases of the development are built and operated to meet very strict guidelines for carbon-neutral LEED Gold certification. LEED verifies that a building is focused on human and environmental health with factors that include water and energy efficiency, sustainable materials, air quality, access to public transport, and more. River City’s green features include:

• An accessible green roof with native plant species that require minimal water.

• Excellent indoor quality thanks to in-suite ventilation and low-VOC paints and materials.

• Efficient lighting with occupancy sensors in shared spaces.

• An air-tight building envelope with high-performance windows to prevent heat loss

• A car and bike sharing program and electric car charging stations

• A rainwater harvesting system that collects rain for irrigating the grounds and surrounding parks.

• Water efficient toilets, shower heads and faucets that reduce water use by almost 50%.

One Cole Condos

1-25 Cole St.

This eco-friendly residence in revitalized Regent Park is also LEED Gold certified. The building is designed to ensure energy isn't wasted, residents can breathe easy with great air quality, and they can walk or take transit to cut down on carbon emissions. Green elements include:

• A huge (21,000+ sqft) outdoor amenity space with gardening plots where residents can grow food, flowers and show off their green thumbs.

• Efficient lighting, EnergyStar appliances, and low-water-use plumbing fixtures.

• Thoughtful building design that uses less glass to help keep heat from getting trapped.

• Ultra-efficient heating and cooling systems.

The Berczy

55 Front St. E.

This wonderfully-located gem is steps from St. Lawrence Market, where residents can pick up their local and sustainably-sourced food. It’s LEED Gold certified, with environmentally-conscious elements throughout:

• The green roof reduces heat island effect, acting as a natural cooling system that minimizes the need for AC in the summer inside the building, and reducing heat contribution to the surrounding area.

• Energy-efficient HVAC and mechanical systems.

• A walkable, transit-friendly location that reduces the need for cars.

• A significant focus on sustainable building practices: during construction, the developer used recycled building materials wherever they could.

Minto 775

775 King St. W. & 78 Tecumseth St.

This King West residence has had an eco-friendly focus since day one: 80% of the material used in construction was diverted from landfill, and it boasts a number of other planet-friendly features, too:

• Electric car charging stations and a popular bike-sharing program.

• A 3-chute waste system that enables easy recycling and composting on every floor.

• The green roof provides natural cooling.

• Rainwater harvesting cuts down on water use for irrigation and other non-potable water needs.

• Dual-flush toilets and heat recovery ventilators are just some of the energy-efficient building elements.

• Low-emission materials and paints keep indoor air clean and breathable.

The Roncy

422-436 Roncesvalles Ave. & 76 Howard Park Ave.

This beautiful building in the heart of popular Roncesvalles Village in Toronto’s west end has a lot going for it – including some significant energy-efficient features: 

• Individual hydro metering so residents can control their own energy use

• Individually-controlled heating and cooling heat pump system

• Energy Star® rated appliances

• Carbon Monoxide (CO) detection system to minimize the need for garage exhaust fans

• Easy proximity to streetcar and subway

Quantum North Tower & South Tower

2191 & 2181 Yonge St.

These two towers at Yonge and Eg have all the green bells and whistles. They’re in a walkable, transit-friendly neighborhood and are steps away from the subway. Some of their notable green features include:

• A comprehensive recycling program that sorts garbage into 5 categories including electronics recycling.

• LED lighting on the building’s exterior for significant energy savings.

• Motion sensors for hallway lighting.

• Water-saving bathroom fixtures and EnergyStar appliances.

• Air quality control and heat recovery systems.

Everhome Markham

1720 Bur Oak Ave.

This green beauty hasn't broken ground yet, but their pre-con sales site lists some serious green features and a plan to achieve LEED Silver certification. Eco-friendly elements abound:

• The jewel in Everhome’s crown is something you don't see often in a GTA condo: geothermal heating and cooling. Geothermal is a clean energy source that involves drilling pipes deep into the ground to pull heat from the earth, providing constant, dependable energy that's also low cost.

• Electric car, e-bike, and scooter charging stations.

• Bike storage, plus a fully-equipped bicycle repair station where residents can keep their wheels in top shape.

• Proximity to a huge transit hub with easy access to YRT, TTC, and three GO stations.