GWL Realty Advisors Honoured With Prestigious Accessibility Awards

We are pleased to share that GWL Realty Advisors (GWLRA) has been recognized at this year’s BOMEX National Awards Gala with two accolades: the Rick Hansen Foundation Buildings Without Barriers Challenge Commitment Award and the 2024 BOMA Canada Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Challenge Award. The Rick Hansen Foundation Buildings Without Barriers Challenge Commitment Award serves to identify and recognize organizations that attained the most Accessibility Certifications during the Challenge.

These awards highlight our ongoing efforts to create spaces that are more accessible to people of all ages and abilities. Our journey toward enhancing accessibility in the built environment is driven by our desire to make meaningful change and to add value to our assets by improving tenant and occupant experiences. This year’s recognition underscores our efforts to break down barriers and foster inclusivity at our properties.

“We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the building owners and GWLRA staff who align with our vision to enhance the experience for all tenants and visitors,” said Steven Marino, Executive Vice President, Portfolio Management. “Your support and hard work are the cornerstones of our success and enable us to make a positive impact on the communities we serve.”

We are particularly proud of our participation in the Rick Hansen Foundation’s Buildings Without Barriers Challenge. This initiative aims to identify and celebrate organizations that are making strides in accessibility through the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) program. This year, 15 of our buildings have been RHFAC rated, doubling the total number of rated buildings to 29.

A special highlight is the Pacific Blue Cross building located at 4250 Canada Way in Burnaby, B.C., which participated in the Buildings Without Barriers Challenge and additionally won the 2024 BOMA Canada Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Challenge Award. This award, presented annually to the building that achieves the highest RHFAC rating, is a testament to our dedication to excellence and innovation in accessibility. With a score of 84.2%, Pacific Blue Cross has demonstrated its strength in the industry as a universally accessible building that promotes diversity and inclusion.

The Buildings Without Barriers Challenge, organized by the Rick Hansen Foundation and supported by BOMA Canada, encourages commercial and multi-unit residential building owners and managers to pursue barrier-free access both inside and outside their buildings. By participating in this challenge, GWLRA demonstrates its ability to create inclusive spaces in the communities where we operate.

Winning these awards is not only an honour but also a motivation to continue our efforts in making our buildings accessible and inclusive. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to create environments that welcome and support everyone.