180 Kent Street Targets LEED® Gold Certification

OTTAWA – September 15, 2009 – Ottawa’s greenest office tower officially opened today with Minto’s newest building - 180 Kent Street - holding its official grand opening in downtown Ottawa. Representatives from the Minto Group, municipal government officials and project partners gathered today in the building’s spectacular front lobby to mark the occasion. 

Prominently featured in the lobby of 180 Kent Street is a specially-commissioned 486-tile mosaic, by ceramic artist Jim Thomson, entitled Water Lily and the Snapper. The piece   demonstrates both the contemporary style of the building and Minto’s strong environmental focus.  

180 Kent Street is in the heart of Ottawa’s downtown business district – just steps from Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal and Sparks Street Mall.  The 19-storey 370,000 square foot 180 Kent is targeting LEED® Gold certification, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. 180 Kent is the first building in Ottawa to seek Gold certification.

“180 Kent Street has surpassed standard office designs with more than 55 per cent energy savings and 50 per cent water savings. The result is that we can pass on those operating cost savings to our tenants,” said Andrew Pride, Vice President of the Minto Green Team.  “Being green is more than just energy and water savings, 180 Kent was constructed targeting a substantial material and resource reduction.”

Tenants within 180 Kent Street are also pursuing their own LEED certifications - LEED for Commercial Interiors.  LEED-CI offers a green certification for the finishes and features associated with the tenants’ work space.  Minto’s Green Team and Commercial Construction Group are guiding these tenants’ efforts.

 “We are so pleased to have attracted like-minded organizations that are embracing not just the financial aspects, but the many environmental benefits of a green building,” said Greg Rogers, Minto’s Executive Vice President. “The results will lead to a healthier workplace and a healthier planet.”

In the near future, Northshore, a stunning exterior sculpture by acclaimed Canadian artist Noel Harding, will grace the northeast exterior corner of the property. It features a revolving landscape planter atop a massive 14-foot, stainless steel vessel. Both works will demonstrate the Minto Group’s ongoing commitment to art in the communities in which it operates.

“Although there is no formal requirement for public art in the City of Ottawa’s planning rules, our company sees visual arts as a vital element in developing spaces for the public,” said Roger Greenberg, Minto Group CEO.  “These pieces create context for their surroundings, offering enjoyment and bringing conversations to life.”

180 Kent Street completes the landmark Minto Place complex bordered by Slater Street to the North, Laurier Avenue to the South, Lyon Street to the West and Kent Street to the East. 

- 30 -

For more information, interviews or photo requests please contact:

Gwen Cox

Director of Communications,

The Minto Group

613-782-3128