Leaside Village

First Capital REIT’s Leaside Village was envisioned as a vibrant mixed-use destination that integrates modern commercial amenities with the character of the surrounding community. Designed to honour Leaside’s historic roots while advancing contemporary sustainable engineering practices, the development has become a landmark example of responsible and community-focused urban design.

A defining feature of the project is the heritage building now occupied by Longo’s. Designated as an Ontario Heritage site, the structure was originally built in 1919 as a locomotive repair facility for the Canadian Northern Railways, later transitioning in the 1930s into a packaging manufacturing plant. Its revitalization within Leaside Village preserved the original architectural character while upgrading the building for modern use, an effort that balanced historical integrity with high-performance building systems.

Leaside Village consists of nine buildings totaling approximately 200,000 square feet of open-air retail and commercial space at the intersection of Laird Drive and Esandar Drive. Anchored by a 48,000-square-foot Longo’s supermarket, the development hosts a well-rounded mix of tenants including Linen Chest, Aroma, PetSmart, and Shoppers Drug Mart, contributing to a dynamic and community-serving retail environment.

Sustainability has been central to the project’s vision. All nine buildings have achieved LEED certification, with eight attaining LEED Gold and one achieving LEED Platinum, reflecting strong performance in energy efficiency, environmental stewardship, and occupant well-being. As part of this effort, INVIRO provided comprehensive mechanical engineering and LEED consulting services. For the Longo’s building, this included the integration of a geothermal system supported by a 750-foot-deep borefield, delivering a low-carbon, high-efficiency solution that aligns with First Capital REIT’s sustainability commitments.

The development advanced even further with the addition of Buildings A and B in 2021 and 2022. Designed with elevated sustainability targets, Building A achieved LEED Gold, while Building B earned LEED Platinum, becoming First Capital REIT’s first LEED Platinum building. This expansion also introduced enhanced sustainable site features, including heat-island mitigation.