Commercial Office Building by Menkes is First Completed New Development to Achieve Wired Certification in Canada
TORONTO, Oct. 30, 2017 /CNW/ – WiredScore, the company behind the world’s leading rating system for technological capacity in commercial buildings, in conjunction with Menkes Developments Ltd. (Menkes), announced today that One York Street has achieved Platinum Wired Certification. The commercial building, situated in Toronto’s South Core District, was recognized for its best-in-class connectivity, technological infrastructure and readiness to adopt emerging technologies. The certification marks the first completed new development to be Wired Certified in Canada.
In addition, 4711 Yonge Street, home to Menkes’ headquarters, has also achieved Gold Wired Certification. Located in the North York City Centre office node, the certification of 4711 Yonge Street marks the 30th anniversary of the building and reflects numerous capital investments and infrastructure upgrades.
WiredScore is the pioneer behind the Wired Certification standard that evaluates and distinguishes best-in-class Internet connectivity in commercial buildings. The Wired Certification is a standard trusted by tenants internationally to verify that buildings have been independently evaluated and certified to provide the Internet infrastructure that businesses require to thrive. Wired Certification launched in Toronto on Oct 26th, 2017 with Menkes named as a launch partner and early adopter of the international commercial real estate standard in Canada.
“We’re excited to partner with Menkes for our Toronto launch, showcasing how demand for a digital connectivity certification has expanded throughout North America,” said Arie Barendrecht, founder and CEO of WiredScore. “Developers all over the world are recognizing how necessary reliable, consistent connectivity is for a modern tenant class and One York and 4711 Yonge’s Wired Certification confirms that these properties are prepared to meet tenant’s connectivity requirements.”
To pursue Wired Certification, One York and 4711 Yonge underwent an in-depth evaluation process, which included a review of infrastructure redundancy, connection access points, readiness to improve connectivity, and other aspects of in-building connectivity. Upon completion of the assessments, Wired Certification levels were assigned to the buildings based on the official standards developed by WiredScore and its advisory board.
“The tenant experience is our top priority with all of our commercial office developments,” said Peter Menkes, President of the Commercial/Industrial division of Menkes. “Technology infrastructure and connectivity are the cornerstones of the modern workplace. As a developer and landlord, whether it’s a brand new building like One York, or a well-established building like 4711 Yonge, we need to ensure that our tenants know that we’ll provide them with dependable, high-speed internet connectivity for technology now and in the years to come.”
One York Street’s Platinum Wired Certification indicates a prevalence of redundancy features and readiness to adopt future technologies. The property achieved the highest level of Wired Certification due to several factors including: redundancy for cables with Points of Entry (POE) on multiple building sides, a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) ensuring reliable cellular coverage, a dedicated Telecom room separate from other utilities, and two risers – supporting full fiber distribution while providing route diversity — that will extend to the roof of the building to accommodate fixed wireless antennas. These can be used for primary or back-up internet service that is not dependent on the fiber optic connections to the building. Additionally, Rogers Communications, Beanfield Technologies, and Cogeco Peer 1 have already signed agreements to service the building.
Completed in 2016, the 35-storey development (also known as Sun Life Financial Tower) is targeting LEED Platinum Certification as part of a commitment to sustainability, and features Enwave (Deep Lake Water) cooling and a roof top solar panel system. Designed by Sweeny Sterling Finlayson & Co. Architects Inc., notable tenants in the building include Sun Life Financial, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP), CIBC Mellon, Sovereign General Insurance, and Tulip Retail. The building is fully leased.
Located at York and Harbour Streets, the Class AAA 800,000 square-foot property is connected to Toronto’s PATH network, offering convenient weather-protected access to all major buildings in the financial district, Union Station, the Air Canada Centre. Passersby in the busy South Court District will enjoy the building’s public art installation, featuring a restored piece by the international-renowned graffiti artist known as Banksy.
4711 Yonge has achieved Gold Wired Certification based on the presence of four high-speed internet providers and redundant infrastructure in the form of diverse POEs, which mitigate the risk of internet outage for tenants. The building also has spare capacity within the POEs and Telecom room to accommodate additional internet service providers in the future.
Built in 1987, the 4711 Yonge property features approximately 390,000 square feet of Class A space in a 16-storey building with direct underground access to the Sheppard-Yonge subway station. Quick access to Highway 401 and an abundance of local amenities add to the property’s appeal to commuters from across the Greater Toronto Area.
About Menkes
Menkes Developments Ltd. is an award-winning, fully integrated real estate company involved in the construction, ownership and management of office, industrial, retail and residential properties. Founded in 1954, the company is one of the largest private developers in Canada, with a primary focus in the Greater Toronto Area. Menkes is known for its innovative, multi-disciplinary approach and particularly for its expertise in large-scale, mixed-use development. Past projects include the Empress Walk entertainment, shopping and residential complex in North York City Centre, the Four Seasons Hotel & Residences in Bloor-Yorkville and two landmark projects in Toronto’s South Core district, 25 York (Telus House) office tower and the two million square foot Harbour Plaza Residences / One Yorkoffice and retail complex. The company’s latest project is a proposed waterfront community on an 11.5 acre site in downtown Toronto, which will be anchored by a new two-acre park. For more information about Menkes, please visit: www.menkes.com
About WiredScore
WiredScore is the organization behind Wired Certification, the internationally recognized digital connectivity ratings system for commercial real estate that helps landlords design and promote their buildings’ great digital connectivity to tenants WiredScore launched Wired Certification in partnership with Mayor Bloomberg and the City of New York in 2013. Since then, more than 350M square feet of office space has been certified across North America and Europe, including buildings owned by premier landlords such as Blackstone, Brookfield and Hines.
In an increasingly tech-driven economy, connectivity is fast becoming the most critical requirement for tenants when selecting office space. The widely recognized Wired Certification seal is a trusted symbol that identifies buildings that have been independently certified to provide the best-in-class connectivity infrastructure that business require to thrive. Tenants around the world trust Wired Certification as the benchmark for best-in-class office connectivity. For more information on Wired Certification or to find Wired Certified buildings, visit: www.wiredscore.com
SOURCE Menkes Developments Ltd
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