One-to-one with Jesse Gregson
As one of the largest commercial property owners in the city, Cadillac Fairview's Greater Vancouver portfolio includes 12 office properties and two premier shopping centres. For decades, CF has focused on being a leader in environmental stewardship and supporting a low-carbon future in Canada and across its Vancouver portfolio. Earlier this year, CF announced that the company has achieved zero carbon building performance standard certification across eleven buildings in its Vancouver office portfolio well in advance of regulatory requirements. As part of CF’s broader commitment to supporting healthy and vibrant communities, the company has also taken measures to improve the safety of local communities by partnering with like-minded organizations focused on community wellness and striking the right balance between security and community engagement at the property level. Meet Jesse Gregson, the VP of Operations for Cadillac Fairview, and a driving force behind the company's community safety mandate and decarbonization efforts in Vancouver.
Is managing real estate in Vancouver different than in other cities? What are some of the local challenges and opportunities?
Vancouver is a much younger city compared to the likes of Toronto or Montreal, so our built environment naturally consists of less heritage structures. Since we have less to contend with from a heritage conservation aspect, we can manage property upgrades and refurbishments with slightly more ease than older cities. With Vancouver being a coastal, seaport city, the city faces more challenges in protecting its coastal infrastructure and communities against the impacts of rising sea levels. As climate change and rates of flooding increase each year, I would say this is a top concern for anyone working in the real estate development or management space in Vancouver.
What are some Cadillac Fairview’s achievements that you are proud of?
What first comes to mind is a recent accomplishment that was announced earlier this year. Well in advance of regulatory requirements, we announced that CF had achieved zero carbon building performance standard certification across eleven buildings in our Vancouver office portfolio, which as VP of Operations, is something I’m incredibly proud of.
Why does Cadillac Fairview prioritize environmental stewardship, and what defines success in your sustainability initiatives?
As a city builder, we have an inherent responsibility to integrate environmental stewardship principles into all aspects of our business. Through our Green at Work program, which integrates sustainability into building operations at all CF properties, we set ambitious targets for reduced greenhouse gas emissions, energy and water consumption and increased waste diversion. We define success by the degree to which we surpass our targets and through the achievement of third-party green building certification standards that reflect industry best practices.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time when you're not working?
I’m a big baseball fan, so you’ll usually find me near a baseball field, sometimes with our dog Rocky, a Bernese Mountain Dog.
How does Cadillac Fairview collaborate with other organizations?
At CF, our mission is to transform communities for a more vibrant tomorrow, which necessitates collaboration with other like-minded organizations. One example that comes to mind is CF Pacific Centre's co-founding of the Community Safety task force with Downtown Vancouver. It brings together key downtown stakeholders to advocate for change while actively creating solutions that support improved community safety.
What does Cadillac Fairview’s next five-year plan look like? What is the company’s vision for the region?
Our teams across the country are focused on diversification into new, exciting asset classes such as industrial and mixed-use properties and our entry into multi-family properties. We’re also working to enhance the experience for all visitors to our shopping centres and plan to significantly improve wayfinding within our retail malls and create an inclusive environment by facilitating more accessible and intuitive navigation for everyone.
We think that there is something special that happens when people gather together in-person, whether that is innovative team-based work or after-work social opportunities, and we want to make sure our properties facilitate that to the extent possible. We know that our buildings are a platform for our clients’ businesses, and so we want to stay laser-focused on understanding what our clients need to be successful and to make sure our buildings deliver.
What is your favourite thing about Greater Vancouver?
There are too many to count, but I would say one of my favourite things about Greater Vancouver is the diversity that characterizes our city. We are a city made up of different cultures, cuisines and traditions and I think that as a society, we thrive on inclusivity and equality. I would also have to say the beauty of our natural environment. We are so lucky to be surrounded by stunning mountains, lush forests and pristine waterways, and the picturesque scenery is never lost on me.
Your favorite Cadillac Fairview project and why?
Currently, my favourite project is the redevelopment of CF Richmond Centre. It’s an example of how we are designing spaces with the future in mind to suit the changing demands of Canadian cities. The construction process creates a holistic community of living spaces, retail, public green spaces, public art, and entertainment. By adding new residential spaces, we’re helping to answer a strong local need in Richmond and are actively supporting the long-term success of that community.