Company adopts third-party global standard to mitigate viral transmission in buildings

QuadReal Property Group today announced that its entire Canadian office portfolio, which totals 19.3 million square feet, has achieved Fitwel approval under the Viral Response Module (VRM). This approval at the individual building level follows QuadReal becoming one of the first companies to achieve VRM certification at the entity level just one month after the VRM was introduced in September 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made addressing occupant health more urgent than ever. Fitwel, the world’s leading certification system committed to building health, created the VRM to set the global standard for safeguarding occupant health and wellness. Its standard is a collaboration with global health experts and trusted industry advisors and allows companies to lessen the risk of spreading viruses within the workplace by focusing on air quality, cleanliness and mental health.

“QuadReal has aligned with the best science available, being among the very first companies to certify their portfolio-wide policies and practices using the Fitwel VRM,” said Reena Agarwal, Chief Operating Officer with the Center for Active Design, which operates the Fitwel standard. “I’d like to offer my congratulations for their rapid implementation of these policies to achieve Viral Response approval for each individual asset in their Canadian office portfolio. It’s quite an impressive achievement, and it is a privilege to work with industry leaders who care as much as we do about the health and safety of building occupants.”

QuadReal’s commitment to enhancing indoor environments is focused on protecting occupants from airborne pathogens—not only for COVID-19, but for other viruses such as the flu and common cold. The company is committed to the ongoing monitoring of indoor air quality and improving ventilation and filtration systems. It has also enhanced its already rigorous cleaning practices to ensure the regular disinfection of high-touch surfaces. By promoting good hand hygiene and the correct use of PPE, QuadReal seeks to put at ease the concerns of tenants and visitors through communicating best practices and safeguarding and promoting sound mental health for occupants.

“What would I say to tenants who are considering a return to the office? I’d say that they can have confidence that the buildings they are coming back to align with the latest research in viral mitigation,” said Don Fairgrieve-Park, Executive Vice President, Operational Excellence at QuadReal. “We have always had a commitment to service excellence, health and wellness at our properties. We have put policies and procedures in place to ensure the healthiest and safest possible environment for when tenants are ready to return to the workplace.”

About QuadReal Property Group

QuadReal Property Group is a global real estate investment, operating and development company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. Its assets under management total $61.2 billion. From its foundation in Canada as a full-service real estate operating company, QuadReal has expanded its capabilities to invest in equity and debt in both the public and private markets. QuadReal invests directly, via programmatic partnerships and through operating companies in which it holds an ownership interest.

QuadReal seeks to deliver strong investment returns while creating sustainable environments that bring value to the people and communities it serves. Now and for generations to come.

QuadReal: Excellence lives here.

quadreal.com

For more information:

[email protected]
604-975-9501

About Fitwel and the Center for Active Design

In just three years, Fitwel has become the leading global health certification system, seeing a dramatic uptick in use, with 80% growth in certifications annually. Generated by expert analysis of over 5,600 academic research studies, Fitwel is implementing a vision for a healthier future where all buildings and communities are enhanced to strengthen health and well-being. Fitwel was created by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. General Services Administration. The Center for Active Design, a global not-for-profit organization, was selected as the licensed operator of Fitwel, charged with expanding Fitwel to the global market.

®Fitwel & Design is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Participation by The Center for Active Design and/or any other organization does not imply endorsement by HHS.