May 7, 2008 – Tridel, a pioneer in sustainable development and green building, was for the second consecutive year named Green Builder of the Year, High-Rise, at the 28th Annual Home Builder Awards presented by the Building Industry & Land Development Association (BILD). Tridel was selected for its unsurpassed innovation in Green initiatives and dedication to Green living throughout its communities. BILD is the alliance of the Greater Toronto Home Builders' association (GTHBA) and the Urban Development Institute/Ontario and is the voice of the land development, home building and professional renovation industry in the Greater Toronto Area.

As the Canadian leader in Green development, Tridel has created new standards for builders nationwide. The Green Builder of the Year award – established in 2007 by BILD to promote sustainable development and motivate green building practices – acknowledges exceptional undertakings of leading home builders.

"Tridel has impressed BILD with their dedication to Green building and innovative, sustainable development,” said BILD Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Dupuis. “The Metrogate community exhibited all the elements BILD was looking for in both award categories, making this a very easy decision.”

A number of Tridel developments and Green initiatives solidified the company’s position as Green Builder of the Year. Tridel’s Republic project in North Toronto marked a groundbreaking alliance with the Toronto District School Board to redevelop North Toronto Collegiate Institute into one of the most environmentally friendly schools in Canada. Tridel’s two energy efficient Republic towers, to be built on the site with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) candidacy, create a new Green community in the city. LEED designation utilizes a rating system that involves a set of standards for environmentally sustainable construction based on the principles of smart growth, new urbanism and green building.

Another highlight in Tridel’s Green achievements was the Eco-Suite, recently featured on the New York Times website. The sustainable model suite – created to educate consumers on Green living in style –offered guided tours to more than 3,000 visitors. The 1,900 square foot space showcased everything from eco-friendly tiles and energy efficient faucets to organic linens and sustainable cabinetry. Over 15,000 others explored the space online through the interactive website.

Honoured as Best Community Development, High-rise in this year’s BILD awards, Tridel’s Metrogate development in Scarborough represents a historical undertaking in Green development. Located on a 17-acre Brownfield site, Metrogate – one of North America’s first LEED Neighbourhood communities – is a mix of residential and business buildings. The Metrogate plan includes a range of sustainable elements that reduce electricity consumption: a central heat-recovery ventilator system that provides cleaner, fresher air, energy saving compact fluorescent lighting, and water saving toilets, faucets and showers.

A 1.65 acre park designed with native landscaping, fountains and pathways forms the central core of the Metrogate community. Retail, daycare facilities, office and recreational space will all be within walking distance in the neighbourhood, and planned public transit options nearby will make environmentally friendly travel easy for residents.

Solar panels are being used on the current sales centre to meet up to 50 per cent of the building’s electric requirements (with the remaining 50% sourced from Bullfrog power). The Metrogate site is also making use of recycled materials from the trucking facility that previously existed on the land to maximize sustainability for Toronto’s first Green community.

About Tridel

Tridel is Canada’s leading developer and builder of condominium residences with more than 70 years of homebuilding experience. To date the Tridel Group of Companies is responsible for producing over 70,000 homes, and continues to lead the industry in innovation, technology and design. Tridel is determined to develop condominium communities that meet the needs of today’s homeowners while safeguarding the well being of future generations. The company is working to meet this goal by focusing on environmentally sustainable building design and performance in construction and corporate stewardship.

In recognition of Tridel’s outstanding service to its homeowners, Tridel has been awarded the coveted 2007 Ontario High-Rise Builder of the Year Award by Tarion, formerly known as the Ontario New Home Warranty Program, and Home Builder of the Year by BILD - Building Industry and Land Development Association. Tridel also received the City of Toronto 2006 Green Award for Energy Conservation and ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with New Condominium Builders in the Greater Toronto Area” by J.D. Power and Associates’ Canadian New-Condominium Builder Customer Satisfaction StudySM in both 2006 and 2007. Most recently Tridel received the BILD Green Builder of the Year, High Rise for the second consecutive year and was also honoured with the 2008 award for Best Community Development, High Rise for Metrogate.