TORONTO – The Board of Governors of Exhibition Place has awarded Toronto based NORR Limited, Architects & Engineers (NORR) the contract for the design redevelopment of the 162,000sf Conference Centre project.  A public RFP process was undertaken, drawing interest from architectural firms from around the world. In early March 2007, Toronto City Council approved the $29M redevelopment of the existing Automotive Building to create a ‘Class A’ multi-purpose conference centre.  Construction is scheduled to commence in November 2007, opening in September 2008.  

“NORR’s past experience in the environmental design of the landmark Canadian Headquarters of SAS Institute will be an asset to the redevelopment project at Exhibition Place.  This project will contribute to the synergy of developing new convention and exhibition business for the Direct Energy Centre and provide long-term support for Direct Energy Centre, and the City’s tourism industry,” said Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone, Chair of Exhibition Place. 

Principal Architect on the project is David Clusiau.  Mr. Clusiau has been Principal of Architectural Design for NORR since 2001, and is responsible for projects such as; SAS Headquarters, DeGroote Centre for Learning & Discovery at McMaster University and Ford of Canada Headquarters. To complete the NORR design team, they are joined by the renowned LEED consultant, Enermodal; Quinn Design Associates (landscape architects); Leber Rubes (code & life safety); Engineering Harmonics (A/V consultants); and André Scheinman (Heritage Consultant).

Already on-board for the Conference Centre redevelopment project is Project Manager, MHPM Project Managers Inc.  Selected through an RFP process, MHPM is a specialist project management company with regional offices across Canada which provides project management services for the successful development, design and construction of facilities in all sectors: corporate, industrial, commercial and institutional.  

Dianne Young, CEO of Exhibition Place adds, “The conference centre redevelopment is an important component of our ongoing Environmental Program at Exhibition Place; and we are targeting the centre to be designed to meet both the City of Toronto’s Green Development Standard, and LEED Gold Standards for environmental sustainability.”  

The Conference Centre redevelopment is just one element being activated from the Development Concept plan for Exhibition Place.  An RFP for a future hotel development project is presently under development, following a successful REOI process launched in December of last year.  In 2004 Exhibition Place undertook an environmental stewardship initiative, which included the promotion of sustainable development, environmental initiatives and leading edge green technologies and practices across the 192-acre site. This environmental initiative has resulted in award winning recognition across North America, and has established Exhibition Place as a world leader in energy-efficient technologies. Exhibition Place is Toronto’s largest entertainment venue, attracting over 5.2 million visitors a year.  The site is an integral component of Toronto’s economy, particularly with respect to sport, recreation, culture and tourism.