Restoration & Renovation

WELL

WELL evolves into residential communities

Minto Communities is the first developer in Canada to pilot the WELL for residential program, which sets out to create healthier homes.
condo

Tailoring amenities to evolving demographics

The types of amenities that were once popular in condos have changed.
noise

A guide to understanding noise in condos

Resolving noise complaints requires an understanding of how sound moves through a building and the obligations of a condominium.
Office conversion prospects judged challenging

Office conversion prospects judged challenging

Viable conversion candidates must begin with a basic structural prerequisite, but construction costs, location, surrounding amenities and assumptions about future office values all influence the business case.
tornado

Tornado research uncovers risks for homeowners

Canada’s tornado risk is more widespread than once thought, according to a growing body of research that, for the first time, tracks the occurrence and aftermath facing property owners across the country.
windows

‘Windows’ of opportunity for home retrofits 

In low-rise homes, including condos, up to 35 per cent of heated air can be lost through the windows during the heating season.
condos

Existing condos: rising to modern standards

New regulations from multiple levels of government are forcing condominium boards and property management companies to consider more than just a simple cost-benefit calculation when examining repair and retrofit options.
condo managers

Ontario condo managers grapple with price hikes

As multi-residential buildings grapple with rising construction costs, condo managers in Ontario are experiencing the impacts up close.
HST

Construction costs rattle the condo industry

Construction cost increases are a significant concern if a condo needs to complete work in the next year or so. But the concern isn't just the here and now.
tornado

How to prepare properties for tornado season

The deadly storm that devastated large parts of Southern Ontario on Saturday did so with little warning. In its aftermath,10 people are dead and the tornado-grade winds of the storm, called a ‘derecho,’ left behind massive damage and destruction.
reserve fund

Condos at high risk from reserve fund shortfalls

The growing crop of condo owners across Canada will likely encounter huge annual fee increases and lump-sum payments due to low reserve fund contributions, authors of a new research report are warning.
co-working

Newest co-working spaces cater to hybrid future

As a hybrid work models emerges, new condos will welcome residents into co-working spaces with no one-size-fits-all approach.
EV chargers

Scanning the road ahead for EV-ready condos

As the country moves to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, questions are brewing among people living in multi-unit dwellings.
condo collapse

Could a Florida condo collapse happen in Ontario?

How would this scenario unfold in Ontario? Leaving aside the construction process itself, there are vast differences between Ontario and Florida condominium laws that would have given the Champlain towers significant added protections following registration.
CCA

Six women shaping Canada’s residential spaces

Women developers, architects and interior designers are helping to manifest just a few of the country’s most dynamic condos and communities.
Condo design

Condo design takes cue from commercial facilities

Designers and developers foresee a greater turn towards health and wellness in the condo design of tomorrow.
Condo communities

Condo communities build up resilience in 2020

With always evolving guidelines and pandemic uncertainty, building resilience in condo communities is more important than ever.