Crown Property Management is nearing completion of a $10M revamp of 400 University Ave (formerly the Zurich Building), including installation of a new window and cladding system. It's been an extensive project, one that property manager Carm Berardi tells us was carried out while the 25-storey tower remained fully tenanted. New windows were installed on the outside first, “then they came inside and popped out the old ones.” It took a tad longer to do, “but everyone was much happier, and safer, especially on the upper floors.”

Crown acquired 400 University in 2010. When Zurich, its anchor tenant for 45 years, vacated 120k SF in February 2014, Crown swapped out the 1960s-era tower’s deeply tinted single-pane windows for new double-pane clear glass. “It solves issues with air and water leakage,” explains Carm. It’ll reduce energy demand “significantly,” and Crown will seek LEED Gold. The building's redevelopment also includes new lobby finishes, new elevator cabs and washroom upgrades. Zurich didn't know what it'd be missing...