Cadillac Fairview (CF) is a prominent Canadian real estate development and investment company. It is known for owning, managing, and developing a diverse portfolio of properties, including commercial office spaces, shopping centres, and mixed-use buildings.

Established in 1953, CF has built a reputation for its commitment to sustainable and innovative developments that enhance communities. The company focuses on delivering exceptional experiences for tenants and visitors by prioritizing quality, design, and customer service. CF is dedicated to sustainability and has implemented various initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, including its successful Green At Work program, resulting in numerous awards, including being named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers on multiple occasions.

Investing, Implementing and Moving Forward

In recent years, CF has invested in various technologies to enhance its properties, improve its customers’ overall experience and energy efficiency while reducing its environmental impact. CF implemented advanced data analytics and Fault Detection and Diagnostics (FDD) through their Energy Smart Operations (ESO) program. Using custom-built analytics, CF can monitor and optimize the operation of various aspects of their buildings, including lighting and HVAC, resulting in reduced energy consumption, focusing on low-cost and no-cost measures and optimizations.

The Approach

CF engaged with DB Technologies to plan, implement, expand and improve its platform. Our team recognized the need to develop an ongoing program of data-driven operations and continuous improvement which resulted in setting several key deliverables, including:

• Developing a national standard for integration for consistency between all building sites

• Building custom visualizations and metrics to monitor and validate system performance and achieve CF’s optimization and sustainability goals

• Creating Fault detection & diagnostics algorithms for use by their building operations teams

• Collaborating with and coaching site teams to support operations through data-driven analysis

• Managing the building management system and data infrastructure

The Result and The Future

As a result of further investment into its platform and creating a program, CF has seen tremendous outcomes, which have specifically improved building systems and equipment at each of its commercial sites.

During the program, our team has identified conservation measures that have resulted in over $4 million in cumulative savings. Issues previously unknown were uncovered and addressed during the program, which, if left, would have resulted in a shorter lifespan of equipment and increased both short-term and long-term costs. In addition, during the pandemic, CF could leverage data to manage and operate its sites more efficiently, effectively, and safely.

As a result of the success of the CF commercial portfolio, CF, with the support of DB Technologies, is expanding the program to its retail portfolio, with sites beginning to leverage data analytics in 2023. Our teams’ experience and expertise resulted in CF’s retail locations being integrated into the program for a fraction of the cost of the initial implementations.

Our team continues to support CF in integrating data into its operations, maintaining its data infrastructure, and optimizing processes. Additionally, we are working with third-party facility maintenance contractors to incorporate data analytics into the equipment maintenance workflow and to leverage the information for predictive maintenance. Finally, our team continues to work with CF to evaluate and procure additional solutions as they invest in technology to meet their operational needs and strive to achieve their sustainability goals.

Cadillac Fairview is a highly regarded and influential organization in the Canadian real estate industry. With its extensive portfolio, commitment to sustainability, and focus on customer satisfaction, the company continues to shape the urban landscape and contribute to the growth and strength of Canadian cities.

Photo Credit:

Toronto Eaton Centre:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CF_Tornoto_Eaton_Centre_202205.jpg 

Pacific Centre:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nordstrom_Pacific_Centre_Vancouver_Opening_Day_(21505304846).jpg

Fairview Mall:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fairview_Mall_Interior_2023.jpg

Don Mills:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shops_at_Don_Mills_(37496324736).jpg

Sherway Gardens:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sherway_Gardens_Expansion_Area_2021.jpg

Maple Leaf Square:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maple_Leaf_Square,_North_Tower.jpg

Toronto Dominion Toronto:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_buzz_of_the_6ix_%28Unsplash%29.jpg

Tour Deloitte:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tour_Deloitte_23.jpg