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Waterfront Toronto development VP Meg Davis is carrying out a $35B, multi-decade master plan that's transforming 2k acres of post-industrial land into a mixed-use mini-city. Expect 40k homes and 11M SF of CRE. But first it'll house the athletes' village for next summer's Pan Am Games.  How did you get your start: After graduating from Western University with a degree in urban development in 1986, I sent my resume to every development company I could think of. Got one interview from the 30 I sent out. Luckily it was at Bramalea Ltd. (now defunct), one of the largest residential builders in the country. I worked in their land development group doing acquisitions and servicing. While at Western, I had summer jobs with Goodmans (their municipal law group) and Cadillac Fairview. I subsequently got an MBA from University of Toronto. What drew you to Waterfront Toronto: I was working in consulting for KPMG when I found out about the job opening. I was drawn to the scope of the position because it brought together all pieces of my past—P3s, planning, development, construction, environmental approvals. This is true city building, and I love it. I feel like I'm making something happen that matters. (Below, Corktown Common, the jewel of the redevelopment.) What's shaped your success: Hard work. I enjoy my free time, but I also commit to working hard. Plus I try and respect my counterparts and find ways to work together to come up with an answer that satisfies everybody.  Who's influenced your career: My boss at KPMG, Steve Beatty, has been a mentor to me; a really smart guy. And my eldest brother Neil; he was always tough on me. He's now a municipal lawyer. I came to respect him and the way he approaches his work, and his calm nature. WT CEO John Campbell is also a great mentor and ongoing influence. The biggest challenge with your job: It's easy to work with our development partners to build condos. The harder part is making sure all the other great things that make a complete community are there: open spaces, daycares, community services, recreational facilities, and eventually, long-term care facilities. We're trying to bring transit to all our communities. You will not unlock the value of the port lands without higher order transit. Hobbies/interests: I have twin teenagers, Molly and Jack, 16, so hanging with them is my favourite thing to do. We love to ski, listen to music together and watch movies. I'm a big runner. I've run a few marathons. And I read a ton; fiction, sometimes good, sometimes trash. And my husband's in the wine business, so we like to drink wine on weekends. Vacation spot: Our cottage on Georgian Bay—it's our lifeblood. |
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Fairmont Royal York Sold For $186MThis morning, InnVest REIT and KingSett Real Estate Growth LP announced they've acquired an 80% stake in Toronto's Fairmont Royal York Hotel; existing owner Ivanhoé Cambridge retains a 20% interest. In a JV, the firms are buying the iconic 1,363-room hotel for $186.5M, or $137k per room. KingSett, with a 60% interest in the venture, will become the managing partner. InnVest will be the hotel asset manager and oversee hospitality operations, working with existing operator Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. The JV plans to invest $50M in upgrades. Built in 1929, the Royal York is in the midst of a $100M renovation. |
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What Ryerson Has Planned For Church StreetRyerson University has unveiled design plans for its new multidisciplinary building at 270-288 Church St., just north of Dundas. Slated to open in 2018, the 166k SF mixed-use complex, designed by Perkins+Will, will house the Faculty of Community Services, plus 250 new residence beds, 10 clinical suites, teaching labs, and a fabrication zone with 3D printers, robotic arms, and laser cutter. (Get ready for this excuse: "Professor, I did my homework, but the laser cutter destroyed it.") Faculty of Community Services dean Usha George says the space will spur creative collaboration. The building, at a cost of $104M, will target LEED Silver, with a green roof and 250 bike spaces. |
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Halsall's Tower-Greening Guru Earns AccoladeHalsall Associates EVP Doug Webber (left) has some new hardware for the mantle, a Canadian Green Building Council Leadership Award, presented by Toronto Region Conservation Authority COO Brian Denney at the CaGBC's recent Greater Toronto Chapter gala. Doug—a professional engineer with 20 years' experience in green development—has led Halsall on a host of high-profile green projects, including: the Waterfront Toronto redevelopment; Evergreen Brickworks; Royal Bank Plaza (Canada's first LEED EB Gold bank tower); and RBC WaterPark Place, which recently had its existing two towers recertified LEED Platinum, a North America first. |
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