Avenue Living’s Most-Read Content for 2023

Most-Read Content for 2023

Examining the economy and markets heading into 2024, we see a landscape dotted with opportunities. We believe our strategy of measured growth, sustainability, and defensibility has put us in a strong position for the next leg of our journey. 

As we reflect on the year, we’re looking back on the blogs and white papers that resonated most with our readers in 2023.  

The topics run the gamut from our partnership-oriented agricultural investment strategy to academic research on key stakeholder segments for our business, to our efforts in leading the charge on sustainable workforce housing. 

At the heart of it all is our commitment to providing value for our residents, investors, and the communities where we’ve put down roots.  

BLOG: 

Harvesting Alpha in Canada’s Agricultural Heartland 

We unpack how the Avenue Living Agricultural Land Trust and its successor strategy, Tract Farmland Partners LP, are set to benefit from long-term tailwinds while prioritizing an active approach and partnership with the community.  

WHITE PAPER: 

An International Examination of Market Orientation and Performance in Residential Property Management 

In this peer-reviewed study, our leaders in the Capital Markets team, Gabriel Millard and Cameron Hills, collaborated with the University of Regina’s Dr. Grant Wilson to examine how a commitment to understanding and serving residents translates into tangible benefits — including loyalty, trust, pride in accommodations, and timely rent payments — for residential property managers. 

BLOG: 

Multi-Family Retrofits: The Case for Going Green 

Following on from our 2022 partnership with the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), this blog outlines the energy-conservation measures (ECMs) we’re planning across our Canadian portfolio of multi-family rental properties. It also uncovers our framework for ensuring the viability and impact of deep energy retrofit projects. 

WHITE PAPER: 

Examining Personal Financial Advisors’ Knowledge, Client Recommendations, and Personal Investments in Private Real Estate and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 

In another collaborative study published in the Journal of Financial Services Marketing (JFSM), our Chief Investment Officer, Jason Jogia, worked with Dr. Grant Wilson to investigate the under-researched subject of financial advisors’ REIT knowledge and engagement with REITs, including how their personal perceptions influence client recommendations. JFSM is a leading journal in finance and marketing, ranked B on the ABDC list, and recognized by all management and real estate journal quality lists. 

BLOG: 

Revitalizing Canada’s Housing Landscape: The Crucial Role of Retrofits 

As the country manages two major challenges — housing affordability and environmental impact — it’s becoming clear that retrofits to existing buildings are a key part of the solution. This blog looks at how strategic retrofits can help solve Canada’s increasingly critical housing supply challenge. 

This commentary and the information contained herein are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities or related financial instruments. This article may contain forward-looking statements. Readers should refer to information contained on our website at https://avenuelivingam.wpenginepowered.com/forward-looking-statements for additional information regarding forward-looking statements and certain risks associated with them. 

Investing in Alberta Real Estate | Edmonton

Invest in Edmonton Real Estate

Avenue Living has always believed that the Prairies is a region filled with promise. We were founded here and have strategically invested in Alberta since 2006, and today we own and operate approximately 3,500 multi-family units in Edmonton alone. While others may have looked eastward, or to the coasts, we have kept our eyes firmly on western Canada.

“We’re focused on continuing to build our multi-family residential portfolio in the Prairies,” says Gabe Millard, SVP Capital Markets — Equity & Research. “There’s plenty of opportunity to deliver safe, affordable, comfortable housing to our target demographic, workforce housing residents.” Amid rising interest rates and inflation, Alberta attracts people from other provinces as well as new arrivals to Canada due to its affordable cost of living and strong employment prospects. 

Promising Market Demographics 

Alberta has experienced population growth in the past year, especially inter-provincial migration — in 2023, it led the country, with a rate significantly higher than other provinces. Edmonton’s population is expected to grow from 1.25 million to 1.86 million by 2033, and the city is expected to surpass the two-million mark by 2041. In 2023 alone, the province grew by 3.5%. 

Many industry experts anticipate the demand for multi-family residential rentals to increase as the population ages, a trend that holds true in many municipalities. The demand for apartment-style housing tends to be high among younger populations just forming households, then rises again as people grow older and seek alternatives to single-family homes. 

Alberta is known for its affordability, and Edmonton has a reputation as an affordable “big city.” In 2022, a benchmarking study ranked Edmonton among the most affordable in the country.

Industry and Employment 

In addition to being an affordable city, Edmonton boasts a high median renter income, 42% higher than the national median thanks to strong employment opportunities. While the province is renowned for its energy sector, an industry that has driven employment for decades, Edmontonians also work in a variety of other industries. The city has a strong technology sector, fueled by its reputation as a leading research and education centre — the University of Alberta is home to the National Institute for Nanotechnology and the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute. The city is also home to several regional offices of major banks. 

Edmonton’s largest employer is Alberta Health Services (AHS); the government of Alberta is second. The University of Alberta is also a top employer, and one of the country’s leading research institutions. In total, there are six post-secondary institutions in the city, which provide services to 180,000 full and part-time students each year. Other leading employers include manufacturers, engineering firms, and retail — the West Edmonton Mall is the largest shopping centre in North America, and the city is also home to the continent’s largest open-air retail development. 

Edmonton’s location is also a draw for the distribution and logistics sector, it’s home to a major intermodal freight facility, and CN Rail has announced intentions to consolidate operations in Edmonton. 

Culture and Recreation 

Edmonton has a thriving cultural scene. Known for its arts festivals (including the Edmonton Fringe), you’ll find 25 local theatre companies, contemporary dance troupes, and more. The city is also filled with museums and art galleries, including the Royal Alberta Museum and the Alberta Art Gallery.   

The ICE District — the area surrounding the Rogers Place Arena — is home to restaurants, entertainment, retail, hotels, and office space, all in the downtown core. The revitalized, mixed-use district attracts tourists and Edmontonians alike.  

Nearby, the Edmonton River Valley Park attracts visitors on foot or on bike. The park is the largest urban park in North America, and boasts more than 160 km of maintained pathways that connect 20 major parks. People flock to the park year-round to boat or canoe, for picnics, to run, walk, bike, or cross-country ski and skate in the winter months.  

South of the valley is Old Strathcona, a historic district home to retail, farmer’s markets, pop-up art galleries, and restaurants. The neighbourhood is a registered provincial historic area, populated with heritage buildings erected in the early part of the 20th century.  

On the horizon 

Avenue Living is investing in a significant renovation of its Capital Tower building, a 12-storey, 179-unit complex in the city’s downtown core, acting as a gateway to Chinatown. This set of deep retrofits includes an 85-foot art installation by renowned Edmonton artist Lance Cardinal, and this mural will be constructed as a vertical solar array to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The refurbishment of this building will contribute to the growing community in this district, which is on the upswing.  

That sense of community is something we strive to foster in all our properties — and we see plenty of opportunities for growth across the city. 

This commentary and the information contained herein are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities or related financial instruments. This article may contain forward-looking statements. Readers should refer to information contained on our website at https://avenuelivingam.wpenginepowered.com/forward-looking-statements for additional information regarding forward-looking statements and certain risks associated with them. 

Avenue Living Buys Calgary’s The Pinnacle Apartments for $58M

The Pinnacle Calgary

Avenue Living’s acquisition of The Pinnacle apartments represents the largest single suburban apartment transaction in Calgary in 2023. This deal was one in a series of strategic acquisitions in Alberta to expand our multi-family portfolio, now totalling over 16,000 units.

We have long recognized the Alberta advantage and positive economic factors including positive net migration, job creation, and an increasingly diverse economy.

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This commentary and the information contained herein are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities or related financial instruments. This article may contain forward-looking statements. Readers should refer to information contained on our website at https://avenuelivingam.wpenginepowered.com/forward-looking-statements for additional information regarding forward-looking statements and certain risks associated with them. 

Avenue Living: Creating Defensibility and Stability for Alternative Investors

Alternative Investments

Alternative investments are experiencing a surge in interest from advisors and investors seeking ways to drive returns.

With a focus on hard assets, Avenue Living has consistently delivered stable returns over the past decade — a trajectory that we anticipate will continue due to strong market fundamentals including population growth and limited supply.

Hear from our SVP of Capital Markets, Gabriel Millard and Head of Sales, Alex Steele, about how our vertically integrated management platform and solid financial partnerships set us apart, making Avenue Living a defensible choice for alternative investors.

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This commentary and the information contained herein are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities or related financial instruments. This article may contain forward-looking statements. Readers should refer to information contained on our website at https://avenuelivingam.wpenginepowered.com/forward-looking-statements for additional information regarding forward-looking statements and certain risks associated with them.

Capital Tower: A Beacon of Sustainability and Community Revival in Edmonton 

Capital Tower in Edmonton

On the periphery of Edmonton’s downtown core sits a 12-storey, 179-unit building that Avenue Living is transforming into a modern, affordable, and sustainable multi-family residential and commercial building. 

Built in 1970, Capital Tower is located at the gateway to the city’s Chinatown district. And as with so many buildings of its vintage, it’s due for a refresh. Upon completion, the building will provide warm, inviting homes to the vibrant surrounding community.  

Art Meets Sustainability 

Capital Tower’s revitalization focuses heavily on sustainability and reducing its environmental footprint — measures that will also provide an improved living experience for residents. Most notably, this project will include the largest vertical array of solar panels ever proposed in North America — one that also doubles as a stunning piece of art.  

The north face of the building will be home to a 26-metre (85-foot) tall mural designed and illustrated by Edmonton Indigenous artist Lance Cardinal. The mural represents the unity, coexistence, and cultural similarities between First Nations and Chinese Cultures using imagery from the Cree seven sacred grandfather teachings and the Chinese zodiac. Thanks to technology from solar panel innovator Mitrex, the landmark artwork also harnesses the energy of the sun to help power the building.  

Beneath the solar façade, new insulation on the building’s exterior walls — which will add an R-value of 12 — will improve the efficiency of the interior. Coupled with new triple-glazed windows, the measures will help keep residents comfortable year-round and allow the heating and cooling systems to run more efficiently. 

But the upgrades don’t stop with the building’s exterior. 

“We’re making improvements to almost every building system in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” says Neal Shannon, Avenue Living’s Senior Vice President, Capital Projects.  

A Broader Commitment to ESG 

These improvements are part of our broader commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives across our portfolio. This approximately $26 million project is made possible thanks to favourable financing terms with BMO. The arrangement allows us to access funds from both BMO and the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) to complete the green retrofits, which meet CIB’s Environmental Consumption Measures (ECMs).  

“This project is separate from Avenue Living’s partnership program with CIB,” notes Daniel Veniot, Associate Vice President, Capital Markets — Debt. “BMO has its own relationship with the CIB, allowing us to access advantageous lending terms through their programs. Together, these terms will allow us to offer residents upgraded suites at fair market prices, so we can continue to serve our target demographic.” 

Meeting the CIB’s ECMs also allows us to take part in the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) multi-unit loan insurance project, MLI Select. MLI Select is a points system that offers insurance incentives based on affordability, energy efficiency, and accessibility. “This project qualifies for MLI Select based on the environmental upgrades alone,” says Veniot. 

Building Comfort and Community 

The renovations and retrofits are designed to improve the experience for those who call the building home. The property will have features and amenities that foster community, including a rooftop garden, library, games and movie room, fitness centre, storage area, and refurbished commercial space on the main floor.  

The in-suite upgrades will provide increased comfort for residents while contributing to emissions reductions. Heat pumps in each suite — along with smart thermostats — will allow residents to accurately control the temperature of their environment through both heating and cooling. The addition of new makeup air units also helps improve air circulation throughout the building, eliminating cooking odours, improving air quality, and keeping temperatures more even throughout the space. These measures all contribute to improved health for occupants, according to the Canada Green Building Council. 

Other improvements include LED light fixtures in both common areas and suites, modernized elevators, and updated bathrooms and kitchens. Taken together, the renovations all contribute to an elevated experience for future residents.  

A Community on the Rise 

The result will be a high-quality, safe, affordable and comfortable property that contributes to the revitalization of the surrounding community. In recent years, the area has seen renewed education, hospitality, and entertainment options. The building is within walking distance of the ICE District (Edmonton’s entertainment hub), Epcor Tower (one of the newest AA office buildings in the city), and Grant MacEwan University. It’s also close to transit lines which gives residents easy access to the University of Alberta and other business districts. Nearby, the Station Lands development is revitalizing an underused part of the downtown core, transforming it into a vibrant, walkable community. 

The project, which is already underway, is set to be completed in late 2024. We’ll provide regular, more detailed updates here, so follow along for the full story as it unfolds.  

This commentary and the information contained herein are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities or related financial instruments. This article may contain forward-looking statements. Readers should refer to information contained on our website at https://avenuelivingam.com/forward-looking-statements for additional information regarding forward-looking statements and certain risks associated with them. 

Examining personal financial advisors’ knowledge, client recommendations, and personal investments in private real estate and real estate investment trusts (REITs)

Advisor Knowledge on REITs

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) have gained considerable investment participation and academic research since their rise in the 1990s. However, there was little known about personal financial advisors’ knowledge about REITs. 

Together with Grant Wilson, we explored personal financial advisors’ knowledge, perceptions, and practices regarding public REITs, private REITs, and private real estate investments. Our findings will help to inform us on how we can add value for the advisor community and their clients.  

Read more from our peer-reviewed research published in the Journal of Financial Services Marketing: