Our History

Continue reading to explore a journey spanning nearly 70 years.

Take a trip down memory lane
Take a trip down memory lane
PLAY VIDEO ►
PLAY VIDEO ►

Our story begins with this simple belief.

We are a leading homebuilder, developer and investment manager with a history that spans nearly 70 years. We believe that our success is measured by the health and vibrancy of the lives we touch, and our ability to redefine the way we live and the spaces we live in.

Early Years (1955-1999)

Minto's early years began in 1955 when four Ottawa brothers, Louis, Gilbert, Irving, and Lorry Greenberg, joined together to start a homebuilding business in Ottawa. By 1965, Minto had built more than 5,000 homes in Ottawa and was well on its way to becoming the region’s largest private landlord. In the late 70’s, Minto diversified and took a tremendous leap forward by expanding into Florida.

Read on to learn more about our nearly 70 year journey.

  • 1955
    1955

    Minto is born! “Mercury Homes” builds and sells its first home in Ottawa

    • Minto Place

    Minto founders (left to right). Irving, Lorry, Gilbert and Louis

  • 1960
    1960

    One of the first builders in Ontario to introduce pre-fab framing – increasing quality, lowering home prices and reducing waste

    • Neptune

    The Neptune, a popular early Minto model home, Ottawa

  • 1970
    1970

    Established the Minto Foundation

  • 1978
    1978

    Minto heads for the sunshine and expands in Florida

  • 1986
    1986

    Minto breaks ground on its first foray into the Toronto market.

  • 1992
    1992

    Innova House -one of nine homes selected nationwide to demonstrate new techniques in energy and water efficiency and waste reduction

2000-2005

In the early 2000s, Minto continued to build and improve on key environmental, community and employee centric programs - furthering out commitment to building a business that always pushes itself to do better.

  • 2000
    2000

    Minto begins performing energy and water utility reduction retrofits

    • Sierra
  • 2001
    2001

    Minto completes first Minto Dream Home as part of the Children's Hospital of Ottawa Dream of a Lifetime Lottery. Minto has built this grand prize home annually ever since.

    • Sierra

    First Minto Dream Home, “Sierra” built for CHEO

  • 2003
    2003

    Minto builds its first ENERGY STAR home in Ottawa

    • Ottawa

    Ottawa

  • 2004
    2004

    Employee Volunteer Program introduced to encourage community involvement

  • 2005
    2005

    Employee Assistance Program (EAP) added to provide support for personal and work issues, overall well-being

  • 2005

    Annual incentive plan implemented comprising a mix of financial, customer, environmental and employee measures

2006

By 2006, Minto began to focus on employee culture and engagement recognizing the strong contributions of employees as an integral part of our success.

  • 2006

    Employee engagement measurement introduced

  • Minto Scholarship Program introduced to support post-secondary education for children of employees

    • Radiance at Minto Gardens

    First high-rise residential Condominium to be LEED Canada certified - Radiance at Minto Gardens

  • 2007

    First in Canada LEED Gold certified residential condominium – Minto Roehampton

    • Radiance at Minto Gardens

  • FRPO (Federation of Rental-Housing Providers of Ontario) Environmental Excellence Award for Minto Roehampton

    • Minto Roehampton

    Minto Roehampton

2008

2008 brought the development of Minto and Canada's first net zero inspiration home and provided the first step in our journey to net zero.

  • 2008

    Minto builds Canada's first Net Zero Inspiration Home

    • Net zero Inspiration Home

  • First to be named Green Builder of the Year by the Ontario Home Builder’s Association

    • Net zero Inspiration Home

  • First mutli-residental building of its size in North American to achieve LEED Gold - Minto Midtown

    • Net zero Inspiration Home

    Minto Midtown in Toronto

  • Formal Board of Directors introduced

2009-2011

The mid-2000s brought with it the development of Minto's first environmental sustainability report, exciting developments in Florida and important steps forward in recognizing and rewarding employees.

  • 2009

    First Environmental Report issued

    • First Environmental Report issued
  • 2010

    Code of Conduct Introduced

  • 2011

    Minto implements International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), the highest standard of reporting and disclosure

  • Annual Greenberg Awards recognize employee contributions aligned to company values

    • Annual Greenberg Awards recognize employee contributions aligned to company values

2012-2015

In the years 2012 through 2015, Minto continued it's journey across Canada by expanding into Calgary. In this time, we also brought on our first non-family CEO who has helped to successfully lead the organization through our next phase of growth.

  • 2012

    Minto expands into Calgary, Alberta

    • Ottawa

  • The first and largest LEED Platinum Core and Shell office tower in Canada to be named The National Outstanding Building of the Year by BOMA - 180 Kent in Ottawa

    • Ottawa
  • 2013

    First non-family chief executive appointed

  • 2015

    Began participating in annual global real estate sustainability benchmarking assessment (GRESB)

  • Minto expands into Edmonton, Alberta

    • Ottawa

  • Minto completed five Net Zero Energy homes as part of the ecoEII program funded by Natural Resources Canada

    • Ottawa

2016-2019

In the years 2016 through 2019, Minto continued to expand and grow moving into Montreal and spinning off Minto Apartment REIT.

  • 2016

    BRAVO! employee recognition program introduced

  • 2018

    Updated Retirement Savings Plan includes employer contributions

    • Ottawa

  • Minto spins off Minto Apartment REIT and begins trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MI.UN.

    • Ottawa
  • 2019

    Named one of Canada's Greenest Employers for 2019 by Canada’s Top 100 Employers project

  • EnerQuality Award – Innovation High-Rise: Minto Yorkville Park for Large Building Air Tightness pilot project

  • Minto expands into Montreal, Quebec

2020

The spread of a global pandemic in 2019 through 2020 reaffirmed our steadfast commitment to our employees, customers, communities and the environment—and moved us to take bold actions forward.

  • 2020

    Board membership expanded to nine: including two female directors and six independents

  • CHBA National Award - Net Zero Home Award: 2019 Minto Dream Home in support of Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario

    • Ottawa

  • FRPO MAC Awards Environmental Excellence

    • Ottawa

  • LifeSpeak digital platform introduced to provide expert advice on wellness for employees

  • Minto expands into Vancouver, British Columbia

2021

2021 moved us to take bold actions forward by beginning the process for developing a formalized Environmental Social and Governance strategy.

  • 2021

    Minto Group completes Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) materiality assessment with plans to launch formalized ESG strategy in 2022

    • Ottawa

  • 3 of Minto's Ottawa office towers receive the BOMAs BEST® Platinum certification for energy management

  • One of the first geoexchange energy systems in the GTA was incorporated at North Oak - reducing carbon emissions by up to 70%

  • Launched Lifeworks - a complimentary service offering employees virtual access to care, counselling, self-help and fitness programs.

  • The Annex in Calgary received LEED Gold certification for sustainability features

  • Minto Apartment REIT issues its first Environmental, Social and Governance Report

  • Launch of our inaugural Diversity and Inclusion Survey with a focus on inclusive hiring, an equitable culture, and career development

2022

In 2022, Minto continued our growth across Canada with the construction of properties in the Greater Vancouver Area and Greater Victoria Area.

  • 2022

    Entered the Greater Victoria area with a land acquisition to build University Heights

  • A $250,000 contribution in support of Mental Health and Wellness programs at the Orléans Health Hub

  • 2023 brought some significant achievements for Minto when we reached the milestone of building 100k homes. We also continued to invest in opportunities for growth and development in our communities and with our employees.

    Celebrating 20 years of support for Ottawa healthcare culminating with a $25M donation to the Ottawa Hospital. Other initiatives have included building CHEO Dream Home since 2001 and contributing to the Royal Ottawa Hospital

2023

2023 brought some significant achievements for Minto when we reached the milestone of building 100k homes. We also continued to invest in opportunities for growth and development in our communities and with our employees.

  • 2023

    Completion of Markham's first Net Zero home at Union Village

  • Expansion of Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head and our first foray into Texas with the new Latitude Margaritaville location south of Houston.

  • Jonathan Li appointed President and CEO of Minto Apartment REIT

  • 20th Annual Avid Awards Diamond Winner - Highest Customer Rating in Canada for homebuilding

  • 100,000 homes built

  • Launch of Mentorship @ Minto to help support the professional development for our employees