First Gulf Officially Breaks Ground on The Globe and Mail Centre

First Gulf officially broke ground today on The Globe and Mail Centre located at 351 King Street East scheduled for completion in 2016. With more than 130 guests in attendance, and dignitaries including Minister Brad Duguid, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and Toronto Ward 28 Councillor Pam McConnell, the event marked a new era of revitalization for King Street East.

"We at First Gulf are very excited to break ground today for this important project. What was once the site associated with the centre of power and influence in the Town of York where Toronto began, will now become the renewed hub of economic activity with a dynamic building in the heart of the city. The completion of the Globe and Mail Centre, the final phase of a two-city-block redevelopment will see 5,000 jobs in this revitalized King East office district," said First Gulf CEO David Gerofsky.

With sustainability as a key component, the high performance 500,000 square foot, 17-storey office tower targeting LEED^® Gold is designed by award-winning Toronto architectural firm, Diamond Schmitt Architects. Located in the emerging hub of urban activity and corporate head offices on King Street east of Sherbourne Street, The Globe and Mail will occupy over 130,000 square feet of office space on the top floors of The Globe and Mail Centre.

"The Globe and Mail is an incredibly prestigious brand and a well-regarded employer; It brings a certain amount of cachet to the neighbourhood and some great jobs, and we're all very excited. I live almost across the street from the new office and it's great to be neighbours," said Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation Glen Murray.

Located in a neighbourhood with a high walkability score (rated 98%), The Globe and Mail Centre is within walking distance of the Distillery District, St. Lawrence Market, Toronto's Waterfront, Union Station and other modes of transportation.

"I am thrilled to participate in the unveiling of this beautiful new addition to Toronto's ever growing skyline. The Globe and Mail Centre is a truly iconic building that will leave its mark on Toronto's landscape for decades to come," said Toronto Mayor Rob Ford.

"I am very pleased to welcome the Globe and Mail Centre to the Old Town and St. Lawrence Neighbourhood," said Councillor Pam McConnell (Ward 28, Toronto Centre-Rosedale). "I want to congratulate First Gulf on their office building project, which further highlights Toronto's downtown as a vibrant community where people can live and play close to where they work."

Press release avilable from http://www.newswire.ca/