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Metropolitan Towers first BOMA BESt Level 1 certified multi-res building

BOMA BESt is a new program that combines the old Go Green and Go Green Plus green building certification programs. "BOMA BESt is about providing a quality certification program, a cost-effective way to make buildings more environmentally friendly and cut operating costs," stated Diana Osler-Zortea, President of BOMA Canada. She also noted, "It’s a great opportunity, participants evaluate their buildings through the online questionnaire.  They identify where they’re at, and what best practices they can implement to improve their performance."  BOMA BESt also ensures that each applicant building is evaluated by a third-party verifier.
 
Go Green focused on office buildings, but many BOMA members’ portfolios contain a mix of residential, office and even industrial properties all of which can benefit from energy conservation. BOMA BESt has the ability to efficiently undertake technical certification of buildings in these different asset classes. The certification of Metropolitan Towers is the first for the multi unit residential building class.

The 30 floor multi-unit residential Metropolitan Towers at 930 Seymour in downtown Vancouver is owned by Gateway Management Corporation.  "Gateway is very excited to be part of BOMA BESt," said Scott Ullrich, President of Gateway.  "It’s good to know we’re contributing, in a practical way, to solving the climate change crisis.  BOMA BESt has let us reduce both our energy costs and our carbon footprint – it’s a win-win situation.  I would encourage any property manager or owner to get on board."

Paul LaBranch, of BOMA BC, added: "Congratulations to Gateway for leading the way.  We at BOMA BC hope that the initiative you’ve displayed by participating in BOMA BESt inspires other companies to the same."

"What we learned through Go Green is reflected in the BOMA BESt program. The Metropolitan Towers is the first of what we expect will be a long and impressive list of BOMA BESt certified multi residential properties," observed Osler-Zortea. She noted that, "In order to realize the full potential of BOMA BESt, we are currently field testing in the Greater Toronto Area, the extension of BOMA BESt certification into shopping centres, light industrial and retail strip properties." This work is being conducted with the assistance of Cadillac Fairview Corporation Ltd, Oxford Properties Group, Ivanhoe Cambridge, 20 Vic Management Inc., GWL Realty Advisors, Bentall LP, Morguard Investments Ltd, Gateway Management, Realstar Property Management. In fact

"BOMA Canada is proud to honour the people at Metropolitan Towers for their commitment to operating in an ecologically responsible manner," said Diana Osler-Zortea, BOMA Canada President. "They deserve a round of applause for leading the way, in the multi unit residential category."