The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of Greater Toronto has named a new slate of decarbonization champions honoured with 2025 CREST awards as top performers in its annual race2reduce program. This year, 15 buildings, and the landlord-tenant teams behind them, were tapped as commercial real estate sustainability trailblazers for efforts and achievements in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

“As we pursue sustainable practices and carbon reduction, it’s vital to recognize those leading the way,” says Susan Allen, president and chief executive officer of BOMA Toronto. “Their efforts show that, through innovation and collaboration, we can drive meaningful environmental progress.”

The Climate Champion award recognizes a building or tenant space that has achieved a low emissions intensity, and exhibits commitment to climate action in policies, programs, business practices, tenant/employee engagement and community leadership. This year’s winner is 4711 Yonge Street, Toronto; owned by Marisa Construction Limited and managed by Menkes Property Management Services.

The Collaborative Excellence award reflects the joint landlord-tenant approach to emissions reduction that is at the heart of the race2reduce, and is bestowed to a team that demonstrates collaboration and efforts to broaden participation and awareness. The 2025 CREST award winner is the Yonge Eglinton Centre, Toronto, for its YEC Green Initiative Program. The centre is owned and managed by RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust.

The Innovative Excellence award recognizes implementation of creative and effective strategies and technologies for decarbonization. This year’s winner is BMO Scarborough Office Complex for its smart solar energy blind system. The complex is owned by the Bank of Montreal and managed by BGIS.

The inaugural winner of the new Toronto Hydro Electrification Award is the RBC branch at 865 Milner Avenue, Scarborough. The award recognizes efforts to electrify building systems, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and its first winner exemplifies that objective with a move to full electrification.

As well, Emissions Reductions Leadership awards were bestowed to buildings in 11 size/format categories to recognize the greatest year-over-year reduction in emissions, based on ENERGYSTAR Portfolio Manager data. Those winners include:

• 115-140 York Boulevard, Richmond Hill, for open-air retail. The shopping centre is owned by Crestpoint Real Estate Investments Ltd and managed by Colonnade BridgePort;
• Empress Walk, Toronto, for enclosed retail up to 500,000 square feet. The mall is owned and managed by RioCan REIT;
• Limeridge Mall, Hamilton, for enclosed retail greater than 500,000 square feet. Owned and managed by Cadillac Fairview Corporation during the assessment period, the mall is now owned and managed by Primaris Real Estate Investment Trust;
• 83-85 Silver Birch Avenue, Toronto, in the multifamily building category. The apartment complex is owned by Dream and managed by Cogir:
• 80 North Queen Street, Toronto, in the mixed-use up to 500,000 square feet category. The building is owned by 1000936394 Ontario Inc. and managed by CBRE Limited;
• Yonge Eglinton Centre, Toronto, in the mixed-use greater than 500,000 square feet category. The centre is owned and managed by RioCan REIT;
• 1197-1205 Fewster Drive, Mississauga, for light industrial. The building is owned by 1159006 Ontario Limited and managed by BGO;
• Rexdale Library, Etobicoke, in the universal facility category. The Toronto Public Library owns and manages the building;
• 500 Hood Road, Markham, for an office building less than 100,000 square feet. The building is owned by Mesa Properties Inc. and managed by Colliers;
• 2680 Skymark Avenue, Mississauga, for an office building in the range of 100,000 to 499,999 square feet. The building is owned by CR4 Skymark Avenue and managed by Crown Property Management; and
• Steeles Technology Campus, Toronto, for an office building greater than 500,000 square feet. The building owned is by Crestpoint Real Estate Investments Ltd. and managed by NADG.