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Leader Lane Developments, steered by its co-founders Don Manlapaz and Mathieu Fleury, boasting a combined 40 plus years of experience in and around the Toronto development industry, strives for innovative and sustainable urban development. Through the use of mass timber in the creation of more sustainable buildings for us to live in, the company is carving out a niche in crafting community-centric spaces that resonate within the Greater Toronto Area's multifaceted urban landscape.
In a recent interview with UrbanToronto, Manlapaz and Fleury delved into their company's history and emerging role in shaping the region. With a blend of expertises encompassing planning, project management, and development finance, Leader Lane's pioneering use of mass timber not only underscores the company's commitment to environmental stewardship, but also brings architectural innovation to the forefront.
As Fleury explains, "We pride ourselves on having merchant developer and institutional backgrounds and discipline, with high expectations and tastes.” This drive underpins every project they undertake, reshaping the GTA with a focus on sustainable living.
Leader Lane's development portfolio is mostly urban infill mid-rises — housing that fills the gap between single-family homes and high-rises. Located along TTC routes, these transit-oriented developments are tailored to those who care about their part in the planet's future, manifesting Manlapaz’s vision: “Our experience informed us there was opportunity within this marketplace that was underserved.”
The company's Mimico Collection at 230 Royal York Road, 430 Royal York Road, and 722 The Queensway — a trio of mass timber buildings near Mimico GO station — showcases their commitment to this sustainable building practices, with designs ranging from six to nine storeys high while harmonizing with the neighbourhood's character. There is also the 12-storey 2453-2469 Bloor Street West in Bloor West Village, and Hälsa at 406 Royal York Road, comprising three towers from six to eight storeys. These projects are all in partnership with Windmill Development Group Ltd, with Leader Lane's development principles complementing Windmill's focus on sustainability, further reinforcing their commitment to mass timber construction.
Leader Lane's dedication to sustainable, community-oriented developments is further evident in their pursuit of a replicable mass timber construction model. Projects like the ones in Mimico and Bloor West Village serve as testaments to this vision, incorporating further innovation like geothermal energy that reduces heating and cooling costs significantly.
The company's work process is characterized by its dynamic, adaptable nature. Initially focusing on end-user condominiums, they have deftly shifted to rental buildings, mirroring market trends. Their name, inspired by the eponymous side-street in Toronto — Leader Lane, which runs between King and Wellington streets just east of Yonge Street — is meant to tell a story. Manlapaz explains that they were inspired by this corner of the city “at the convergence of the Financial District and Old Town, and how it combines the new and old along with financial acumen,” mirroring the company's development ethos.
The company can go big where the opportunity exists, too. Their largest project, 1400 Victoria Park Avenue, capitalizes on its proximity to the soon-to-open Eglinton Line 5 Crosstown LRT, and highlights Leader Lane's knack for transforming challenging properties into thriving developments. This property in North York's Parma Court neighbourhood was owned by an undercapitalized firm, so Leader Lane stepped in to spearhead a redevelopment that calls for three 12-storey mid-rises and a 34-storey high-rise. This agility in handling a spectrum of development facets, from acquisition to execution, reflects their broad experience.
Currently, the team consists of five members with a commitment to being leaders in real estate development, who pride themselves on being urban dwellers who all live in downtown condominiums, are deeply connected to and inspired by the diversity and vibrancy of Toronto, and who seek to set themselves apart through sustainable urban infill buildings.
Each Leader Lane development, whether a transit-oriented development or a bespoke neighbourhood project, reflects their commitment to enhancing city living. The developer's focus on sustainability, community engagement, and innovative design positions them not just as industry leaders but as architects of a more livable, environmentally conscious future for the GTA.
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