GWL Realty Advisors has launched a wellness-focused amenities-building project at its 1 Adelaide Street East office property in downtown Toronto.

The firm announced plans Monday for a new three-storey amenities facility that will complement the existing 30-storey class A office tower in the Financial District.

The purpose-built space is intended to support employee health, productivity and changing workplace expectations, and is scheduled to open to tenants in 2027. While it’s common for an office tower to have amenities, it is rare to have a completely separate amenities building that serves an office property.

The amenities building will include a wellness lounge, yoga room, fitness centre and a contemporary conference centre designed with what GWLRA described as a people-first approach. The project is positioned as a tenant-only retreat that integrates personal wellbeing with professional performance.

“At GWLRA, we believe today’s office spaces should be designed with people in mind, focusing on workplace wellbeing and a positive work environment for tenants,” said Devan Sloan, vice-president of asset management and leasing at GWLRA. “Where wellness meets lifestyle, these amenities will support the evolving needs of the modern workplace and enhance how people work, connect, and recharge.”

Office landlords, particularly in Toronto, have been challenged to improve their properties as the expanding return-to-office movement challenges their ability to retain and recruit employees who have become accustomed to hybrid-work opportunities. The landlords are also also under intense pressure to own the commute or, in other words, make commuting to work from the suburbs for their tenants’ employees. Downtown Toronto has a negative commuting perception because of many subway projects and other developments that have resulted in heavy traffic congestion at inopportune times.

Located near major transit routes, the GWLRA amenities facility will also complement existing end-of-trip facilities at the property, including secure bike storage, showers and change rooms, aimed at promoting a healthier work-life balance for downtown professionals, said the company.

“Over the past several years, employees have reshaped their expectations of the modern workplace, seeking more elevated office environments,” said Steven Marino, executive vice-president of portfolio management at GWLRA. “Our goal is to create welcoming and innovative spaces that provide enduring value and engagement to our employer partners and their employees.”

The 1 Adelaide Street East property holds LEED Gold certification and BOMA BEST Platinum status, certifications that reflect GWLRA’s broader focus on sustainability and long-term asset value across its managed portfolio, according to the firm.

Pictured: GWLRA’s future amenities building at its 1 Adelaide East office tower in downtown Toronto.

Rendering: Courtesy of GWL Realty Advisors