Fiera Real Estate Achieves Zero Carbon Building Certification for 450 March Road

Fiera Real Estate (“FRE”) continues to lead the industry in sustainable building practices. Beyond its commitments to the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative and the 2040 Net Zero Carbon target for the FRE CORE Fund and Industrial Fund, FRE has now achieved the prestigious Zero Carbon Building certification for several properties.

A notable project includes the recent upgrade at 450 March Road, in Kanata, where FRE, in collaboration with Colonnade BridgePort, its third-party management company, replaced a gas-powered HVAC system with electric resistance heaters. This significant upgrade virtually eliminated CO2 emissions from the building, earning it the Zero Carbon Building™ Certification from the Canada Green Building Council.

The ambitious project at the five-storey, 97,500-square foot office building took over 18 months of meticulous planning. The installation of new rooftop units was completed successfully in July 2023. Analysis of the building’s performance through both summer and winter months revealed an impressive annual reduction of approximately 94 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

Key project objectives included sourcing an HVAC system that avoids the use of gas, recovers heat energy, and requires minimal roof space. Colonnade BridgePort leveraged its extensive experience of over 35 years in commercial real estate to manage the project’s phases, addressing challenges such as electrical and structural capacity, contractor selection, and tenant impact seamlessly.

“Eliminating fossil fuels from heating systems is a foundational part of our decarbonization pathway, and this project advances the FRE CORE Fund towards its goal of net zero emissions by 2040. It’s only through collaboration with our property managers that makes these projects possible,” said Jag Singh, Director of Sustainable Investing.