Concert hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, July 8, 2016 to celebrate the team responsible for bringing The Kip District to life. As one of five architecturally distinctive towers surrounded by vibrant gathering spaces, Kip One establishes this exciting new, transit-oriented community. In addition to creating 1300 suites, The Kip District will boast retail and park space.
Set on a temporary pop-up park backdrop – a nod to growth in this area to come – Brian McCauley, Concert President and Chief Operating Officer and Andrew Gray, Concert Vice President, Eastern Region, joined by Toronto City Councillor Justin Di Ciano, spoke about how this development contributes to the larger vision of growth planned for Etobicoke and the Greater Toronto Area.
“Our vision for The Kip District is to create a vibrant, sustainable residential community that will serve as an economic, social and environmental asset to the existing neighbourhood,” says Brian.
Part of this vision includes directly giving back to the community. For every suite purchased during phase one, funds are donated to Youth Without Shelter to provide emergency accommodation for one homeless youth for one month. Representatives from Youth Without Shelter, Nilda Patey, Executive Director, and Judy Leroux, Development Manager, were also present to mark this new beginning in the heart of Etobicoke Centre.
“Our relationship with Youth Without Shelter began as a financial partnership,” says Brian. “But over time has grown into a real community endeavor. Concert staff have been involved in numerous fundraising activities, and even established a Youth Engagement Day where they visited the shelter to directly engage with the youth.”
In the spirit of community growth, in lieu of a traditional groundbreaking, Brian and Councillor Di Ciano planted an Autumn Maple Blaze tree. The tree will continue to grow in a nearby nursery and when The Kip District is complete, return home.