Qualico and ACU partner to build sustainable communities

With over 70 years of history in Manitoba, Qualico is a trusted provincial institution. And though Qualico’s business spans the country, its condominium division, StreetSide, has quite a presence in Winnipeg.

Focused on building high-quality, modern condominiums, Qualico’s StreetSide division provides affordable, sustainable and comfortable housing to families, couples and individuals throughout Winnipeg. Offering detached bungalows, townhomes and mid-rise condos in neighbourhoods like Sage Creek, Bridgwater, RidgeWood West and Bison Run, StreetSide focuses on delivering accessible, affordable homes that Manitobans love to live in. New developments from StreetSide often sell out long before construction is completed.

“We support the community through affordable housing, including multi-family housing properties like Lynx Gate,” says Brian Cornelsen, Vice-President at StreetSide. “Lynx Gate is one of our latest projects – a three-bedroom, two-storey townhome project with attached garages in Winnipeg’s Aurora neighbourhood.”

Alongside these two projects, StreetSide has recently developed several other multi-family housing properties, including popular developments like Lynx Gate: a three-bedroom, two-storey townhome project with attached garages in the city’s Aurora neighbourhood.

StreetSide also recently developed Esprit Condominiums, and Esprit Heights: townhome projects with three-storey units nestled in Waverly West’s Bison Run neighbourhood. Additionally, Flora West features two-storey units located in the popular Sage Creek neighbourhood. ACU assisted in financing all of these townhome projects.

Business Financial Centre (BFC) helps Qualico build communities

Providing commercial banking services with a local focus, the BFC is a staple for local developers like Qualico’s StreetSide division.

“We offer flexible financing for our Member’s projects, in this case, a credit line to finance the construction of current and future townhome projects; but in each case,  a customized solution that meets their needs. Whether we are financing the construction of various projects,  as in the case of Streetside, or financing the acquisition of a property, the goal remains the same: get our Member’s to the finish line with financing they can rely on.” says Stefan Paszlack, ACU’s Associate Director of Commercial Real Estate.

ACU and StreetSide both focus on building community, making their financial partnership an ideal fit

“We’re always eager to work with local organizations like StreetSide,” Stefan explains. “It’s exciting to see new projects get developed and watch the city grow, and meet the needs of entrepreneurs and business owners with financing that helps them meet their goals.”

“We work with landlords and developers, whether that’s individual business owners or organizations to assist in financing the purchase, construction, or renovation of their project as well as refinancing existing buildings of all property types including land, multi-family apartments, industrial, retail, hospitality, office, and self-storage.” And while the BFC is located in Winnipeg, Stefan says they also work in cities like Brandon to provide financing and financial products for businesses.

Doing business is easy with ACU

Stefan says the BFC’s personalized approach to financing is key for members.

“We always respond quickly to our members,” he says. “We start with a conversation—understanding your needs, your project, what you’re trying to accomplish—then we work with you to develop a solution that supports your business goals.”

“For some, that might be getting a larger mortgage and using the proceeds for new projects. For others, it might be purchasing raw land and providing financing all the way to a completed building. Regardless of your goals, we’re ready and able to put together solutions to help you meet them.”

Future-focused sustainable development is key to Qualico’s success

ACU and Qualico’s StreetSide division share the goals of prioritizing people and the planet.

Katie Doerksen, Corporate Sustainability Manager at Qualico, says the organization prioritizes sustainable development in every project.

“My focus is to ensure Qualico creates positive social, economic and environmental impacts,” Katie explains. “It’s all part of prioritizing sustainability and corporate responsibility in our overall mission.”

Both ACU and Qualico take sustainability seriously. Qualico’s mission is to minimize the environmental impacts of its projects through sustainable practices in all aspects of its operations.

“This includes specific initiatives like Net Zero Homes,” Katie says.

Net Zero Homes are designed and built to produce as much renewable energy as they consume over the course of a year. The goal of a Net Zero Home is to achieve a balance between energy usage and energy production.

Qualico has a Net Zero certified homebuilder in every province, including Manitoba.

This commitment to sustainable development and environmental responsibility aligns with ACU, whose own mission statement includes being a socially responsible co-operative that provides financial services for the well-being and resilience of members, employees, communities and the environment.

While the partnership between Qualico’s StreetSide division and ACU is relatively new, Qualico’s Brian Cornelson says the relationship has been a boon for the business.

“It’s gone very smoothly,” he says. “We started this credit facility and it’s going to be used for multiple townhome projects as we work to build affordable, sustainable housing in Winnipeg. It’s really good to work with local people.”

Find your home with Qualico

With multiple developments on the horizon, Qualico’s StreetSide division could be the next place you call home. Explore the StreetSide communities to find new developments for condos, townhomes, bungalows, and other projects coming soon.

Want to finance your next commercial development project or business? Reach out to ACU’s Business Financial Centre to start the process.

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