What if new development could result in an increase in biodiversity? What if development projects could complete or complement communities? What if development facilitated healthy and sustainable lifestyles? At Theia, we believe all those elements are possible. Our new development portfolio is carefully curated, focusing on quality sites that lend themselves to sustainable lifestyles.
Theia is best known for our ground-breaking work on the Zibi project. Zibi is a 34-acre formerly contaminated industrial site, where we created an award-winning master plan featuring a mix of market and affordable housing, street-front retail, parks and plazas, and even the world’s first inter-provincial zipline. Sustainability is deeply embedded into every facet of this community, with an ambitious One Planet action plan covering everything from material choices and community gardens, to sustainable transportation choices. The crown jewel of the sustainability program, (in partnership with Hydro Ottawa and Dream) is our zero-carbon district energy system, in operation since 2021, enabling massive carbon savings for Zibi residents without sacrificing comfort or convenience.
Theia has sold our development interest to Dream Unlimited who continue to implement and iterate the sustainability commitments outlined in the One Planet Action Plan.
Theia owns, manages and operates a growing portfolio of naturally occurring affordable housing. These homes are maintained to balance quality, tenant experience, sustainability, and affordability. Over time, the buildings are taken off of centralized-fossil fuel-based heating systems, with carbon-saving strategies implemented. Creative finance tools are applied that help ensure long-term affordability.
This infill development is a project in partnership with First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa and Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (a non-profit housing provider focused on serving the urban indigenous population). Combining a sixteen-story market building, and a six-story non-profit building, this project provides a full spectrum of affordability, in a transit-rich neighbourhoods, helping financially sustain the Congregation and a host of community organizations that relies on that Congregation.
This former Bauxite mine and processing facility has sat as a contaminated moonscape, just twenty minutes north of Canada’s national capital. Theia has commenced the work to transform the site into a walkable community, demonstrating that development and increased biodiversity can go together.
Theia is currently leading an expansion of the Zibi Community Utility, as well as being active in the pre-development of two additional low-carbon district energy systems.
