A Testament to Excellence: The BOMA TOBY Award

The BOMA TOBY Award stands as the pinnacle of achievement in the commercial real estate industry, celebrating buildings that exemplify outstanding quality in all aspects of management and operations. To qualify for this highly sought-after award, a building must first achieve BOMA BEST certification, a rigorous national program that assesses environmental performance and management practices.

Defining “The Outstanding Building of the Year”

The TOBY Award is not merely a recognition of aesthetic appeal; it is a comprehensive evaluation of a building’s entire ecosystem. Judges scrutinize numerous critical areas, including:

• Building Operations and Management: This involves meticulous review of preventative maintenance programs, security measures, HVAC efficiency, and overall operational effectiveness that ensures comfort and functionality for all occupants.
• Tenant Relations and Satisfaction: Excellence in this area is demonstrated through responsive service, effective communication strategies, and initiatives that foster a vibrant and supportive community within the building. Shindico’s focus on creating positive tenant experiences is a key differentiator.
• Energy Management and Conservation: Judges assess proactive efforts to reduce energy consumption, implement cutting-edge energy-efficient technologies, and continuously monitor performance to minimize environmental impact and operating costs.
• Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Initiatives: This extends beyond energy to include waste management, water conservation, indoor air quality, and the responsible sourcing of materials, showcasing a holistic approach to sustainability.
• Emergency Preparedness and Life Safety: Robust and well-practiced plans for various emergency scenarios, coupled with thorough staff training, are crucial to ensuring the safety and security of everyone within the building.
• Building Personnel Training and Development: Acknowledging that exceptional buildings are managed by exceptional people, this criterion evaluates ongoing professional development, expertise, and dedication of the property management team.
• Community Impact: Buildings are assessed on their positive contributions to the local community, through initiatives, partnerships, or the general enhancement of the urban fabric.

The Shindico Building’s victory in the “best office building under 100,000 sq. ft.” category highlights that even properties of this specific scale can achieve monumental levels of operational excellence and tenant satisfaction. This win solidifies its position as a leader among commercial properties in Winnipeg and sets a formidable standard for its peers across Manitoba.

Championing Sustainability: The BOMA Earth Award

In parallel with the TOBY Award, the BOMA Earth Award recognizes buildings that have demonstrated exceptional leadership and measurable success in reducing their environmental footprint. This award celebrates innovation and a profound commitment to sustainable practices that go beyond industry norms.

Pioneering Sustainable Building Practices

The Earth Award evaluation focuses intensely on a building’s quantifiable environmental performance and the strategies employed to achieve it:

• Advanced Energy Efficiency Programs: Implementation of smart building systems, LED lighting conversions, high-efficiency HVAC units, and renewable energy integration to drastically cut down energy consumption.
• Comprehensive Waste Management: Robust recycling programs, composting initiatives, and strategies to minimize overall waste generation, diverting significant amounts from landfills.
• Water Conservation Initiatives: Deployment of low-flow fixtures, efficient irrigation systems, and innovative rainwater harvesting or greywater reuse systems to significantly reduce water usage.
• Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ): Measures to ensure a healthy and productive environment for occupants, including superior air filtration, natural ventilation strategies, use of low-VOC materials, and maximization of natural light.
• Green Cleaning and Maintenance: Adoption of environmentally friendly cleaning products and practices that safeguard both occupant health and the planet.
• Sustainable Site Management: Practices such as native landscaping, efficient storm water management, and reduction of urban heat island effects, enhancing the building’s ecological contribution.

Winning the Earth Award for an office building under 100,000 sq. ft. showcases Shindico Realty’s commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen and an environmental leader. This achievement not only benefits the environment but also provides healthier, more efficient spaces for its tenants. It serves as a powerful example for other commercial property owners, demonstrating that significant environmental achievements are attainable and beneficial.

The Prerequisite: BOMA BEST Gold Certification

A fundamental requirement for eligibility for the BOMA TOBY Award is holding a BOMA BEST certification. In 2015, the Shindico Building proudly achieved BOMA BEST Gold status, a prestigious accomplishment that placed it among an exclusive group of only five buildings across Manitoba to reach this elite level of environmental performance and management.

Understanding BOMA BEST Gold Standard

BOMA BEST (Building Environmental Standards) is North America’s leading environmental certification program for commercial buildings. The Gold designation signifies an exceptional level of performance across a broad spectrum of sustainable building practices. It’s a comprehensive framework that rigorously assesses:

• Energy Performance: Focusing on operational energy efficiency, demand management, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Water Performance: Strategies for reducing potable water consumption and efficient water resource management.
• Waste Management: Comprehensive waste audits, reduction targets, and effective recycling and composting programs.
• Emissions & Effluents: Monitoring and managing air pollutants, refrigerants, and other potential environmental discharges.
• Indoor Environment: Ensuring occupant comfort, health, and productivity through superior indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and lighting.
• Environmental Site Management: Responsible management of the building’s surroundings, including landscaping, biodiversity, and stormwater.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Involving tenants, staff, suppliers, and the community in environmental initiatives and awareness programs.
• Management Practices: Integrating environmental objectives into overall business operations, policies, and staff training.

Attaining BOMA BEST Gold status is a clear affirmation of the Shindico Building’s integrated and continuous approach to sustainability. It reflects an ongoing dedication to improving environmental performance while simultaneously enhancing tenant satisfaction and operational efficiency. For Shindico Realty, this certification is a core pillar of their commitment to providing not just profitable, but also environmentally responsible and future-proof commercial spaces.

Shindico Realty: A Legacy of Vision and Leadership

Shindico Realty has long been recognized as a cornerstone of the Canadian commercial real estate market, with decades of expertise in development, leasing, and property management. The company’s enduring success is deeply rooted in a foundational philosophy centered on long-term value creation, strategic investment, client-centric service, and an unwavering commitment to the communities it serves.

The distinguished recognition received for their corporate headquarters at 1355 Taylor Ave is a direct manifestation of this deeply ingrained philosophy. It proudly showcases Shindico’s dedication not only to constructing state-of-the-art buildings but also to meticulously maintaining them to the absolute highest operational, environmental, and ethical standards. Their leadership in property management extends far beyond their own impressive portfolio, effectively setting a robust precedent for excellence, quality, and sustainability that resonates throughout the wider Winnipeg commercial real estate sector.

Looking Ahead: National Recognition and Future Ambitions

Reflecting on this monumental achievement, Sandy Shindleman, President and CEO of Shindico, conveyed both profound gratitude and an optimistic outlook for the future:

“We are incredibly proud of our entire team, whose exceptional efforts, particularly those led by Alex Akman, have made this remarkable dual recognition possible. Their dedication, innovation, and relentless pursuit of excellence are truly inspiring. This is a powerful testament to what can be achieved through collaborative hard work and a shared vision. We now look forward with immense anticipation to representing Manitoba on a national level in Regina, where these significant achievements will be recognized on an even broader and more influential stage. This opportunity will allow us to share our best practices and learn from others, further solidifying our commitment to continuous improvement.”

Mr. Shindleman’s statement emphatically underlines the collective expertise and unwavering commitment within Shindico Realty that were instrumental in securing these prestigious awards. The company’s readiness and enthusiasm to represent Manitoba nationally in Regina not only signifies their ambitious vision but also their ongoing drive to lead the industry, continually pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in the realm of sustainable and exceptionally managed commercial properties.

This upcoming national representation provides an invaluable platform for Shindico to proudly showcase its best-in-class practices, share invaluable insights, and further solidify its well-earned position as a prominent thought leader within the Canadian commercial real estate landscape. Moreover, it serves as a powerful source of inspiration for other organizations, encouraging them to adopt similarly high standards in building management, environmental performance, and overall corporate responsibility.

Setting the Standard: Broader Impact on Commercial Real Estate

The remarkable success of the Shindico Building at the BOMA Manitoba Awards carries far-reaching implications, extending beyond the immediate recognition of Shindico Realty. This triumph significantly contributes to elevating the overall standard for commercial properties not only within Winnipeg but across the entire region of Manitoba and potentially nationwide. In an era where tenants, investors, and regulatory bodies are increasingly prioritizing sustainable and impeccably managed spaces, awards like the TOBY and Earth Awards serve as indispensable indicators of superior quality, robust responsibility, and visionary leadership.

These prestigious accolades actively encourage other property owners and diligent managers to invest strategically in similar operational improvements and environmental enhancements. The ripple effect leads to the development of more energy-efficient buildings, a substantial reduction in overall environmental impact, and significantly enhanced experiences for tenants across the commercial real estate spectrum. Shindico’s groundbreaking achievement powerfully reinforces the compelling idea that genuine economic success and dedicated environmental stewardship are not mutually exclusive objectives; rather, they are inherently complementary goals that synergistically drive substantial long-term value, innovation, and sustainability for all stakeholders.