Does Toronto even have a green condo market? Why hasn't any developers tried marketing this lifestyle and hyping it up?

Hey @GreenCondoLife,
Could you tell us some more information about your website ideas? What specifically are you trying to achieve with it?

@GCL: Simple. Toronto doesn't have a "green condo market" because it is bad for investors. Sure, a lot of builders green-wash and say that they are "green", but the reality is that it is too expensive to make it worthwhile as an investor.

The ideas I want to mainly focus on are green lifestyles choices for Toronto's condo dwellers that want to live a more green eco-friendly lifestyle. The site will point it's users to the best green friendly food stores, restaurants, health stores, pet stores, yoga studios, etc...in the Toronto area. People can also read reviews and comments of others experiences.

I'm starting to see and feel that Marco. Maybe down the road it may take off more with the youth of tomorrow.
Thanks for your thoughts.
R.D

@RD: I am sure that there are builders out there who are looking for end users; and, moreover, I am sure that there are purchasers looking for the Green Life.
I really like the idea of a website to help such people. I was just saying why IMHO there are not more builders pushing it in Toronto.

GreenCondoLife said:
The ideas I want to mainly focus on are green lifestyles choices for Toronto's condo dwellers that want to live a more green eco-friendly lifestyle. The site will point it's users to the best green friendly food stores, restaurants, health stores, pet stores, yoga studios, etc...in the Toronto area. People can also read reviews and comments of others experiences.

Cool idea! I agree that investors may not care so much about "green", but I am sure that the people that they are renting to care. It sounds like this site is not about the "greeness" of a building itself, but the local area amenities.
It would be really cool if you created a website much like WalkScore, but "GreenScore", where proximity to public transportation is measured, proximity to stores, as well as other environmental shops, Bixi stands (if in TO or MTL), and such.

This sounds like a great idea for Toronto -
Here on the West Coast, there seems to be a huge and growing interest in sustainable living but in terms of real estate, indeed there is still a lack of "green" developers. Not everyone wants to pay more for a green home but there are certain areas where residents are serious about protecting the environment. Perhaps you could seek out these areas/neighbourhoods in Toronto to target first so they can be your influencers.
If you look on BuiltGreenCanada.ca you'll only find one developer in Ontario listed but BC and Alberta have a decent list of developers who build to Built Green standards. http://www.builtgreencanada.ca/find-a-builder
Sustainability is one of our core values at Adera so we are certain to give back to the communities we build in (we call it the Triple Bottom Line! Finanacial, Personal, and Social benefits). At first, some home buyers don't express interest for the green features but once they've moved in and experienced the benefits they are more likely to consider green features as part of their decision making when it comes time to purchase a new home in the future. Educate your consumers so they they will believe in the product, experience it and hopefully become advocates for the environment too!
GreenCondoLife sounds like it has potential to grow! Sustainable living and awareness is growing, as well as the need to protect our environment and planet for current and future generations. It's not about selling a product that is "good for the environment" but instead the importance lies in changing how we think and live our lives and influencing others to take part in this movement.
Good luck!