Shovels in the Ground at 123 Highland as Construction Starts in Wolfville

Shovels in the Ground at 123 Highland as Construction Starts in Wolfville

Shovels in the Ground at 123 Highland as Construction Starts in Wolfville

Wolfville NS — June 22 2026 — Work is now underway at 123 Highland Avenue, a unique residential community developed by S2E Technologies Developments Inc. and Canyon Hill Developments. 123 Highland is a 120-unit, clean energy rental community located in a privileged corner of the beautiful Town of Wolfville, a favorite destination of food and wine lovers in the province. On June 1st, our building partner, Lindsay Construction Ltd., mobilized crews and started site preparation work. The project, which moved through rezoning and site plan approval by the Town of Wolfville in 2025, is now taking physical shape. Construction of this first phase is expected to be completed in the Spring of 2028, with a similar second phase to follow.

123 Highland sits a short walk from Acadia University, roughly 600 metres from campus, in one of Atlantic Canada’s most sought-after wine and country life towns. When complete, the community will offer one, two, and three bedroom apartments suited to families and professionals, with several units enjoying a beautiful view of the Bay of Fundy.

The buildings are being delivered with prefabricated, high-performance construction, an approach that shortens the project timeline and produces a tighter, more efficient envelope. Energy performance is central to the design. 123 Highland is targeting results above the CMHC MLI Select sustainability benchmarks, with on-site renewable energy generation expected to supply more than 40 percent of the community’s annual energy needs.

“Reaching the construction stage is the moment everything we planned becomes real,” said Luka Saunders, Project Manager at S2E Technologies. “Every step from here adds new rental homes that Wolfville needs, built to run cleaner and cost residents less. We want to thank the Town, our design and construction partners, our investors and the neighbours who have followed this project to get us here.”

To mark the occasion, S2E, Canyon Hill and Lindsay Construction, will host a sod turning ceremony at the site in July, bringing together project partners, local officials and community members to celebrate the start of construction. Details will be shared closer to the date.

123 Highland is being developed through Wolfville Net Zero LP, a partnership between S2E and Canyon Hill Developments, with legal work handled by Cox and Palmer, with architecture by Solterre Design and Studio MNA, and construction managed by Lindsay Construction. The first 120 units are now in construction, with first occupancy targeted for 2028, and a second phase will follow.

For more information, please visit www.s2etech.com or contact Luka Saunders at info@s2etech.com.

 

 

 

About s2e

S2e is the designer of Canada’s first and largest Net Zero community, West 5 in London Ontario. It is also the developer of EVE Park – a net zero multi-family development that has received widespread recognition for its integration of design, sustainability, and livability. s2e’s sister company Sustainable Energy Platforms Inc. is responsible for the design, commissioning and operations of the EVE Park Microutility.

About Canyon Hill Developments

Canyon Hill Developments is a Canadian land development company specializing in strategic acquisitions, planning, and sustainable community-building in high-growth secondary markets.

Highlands 123 Receives Site Plan Approval

Highlands 123 Receives Site Plan Approval

Highlands 123 Receives Site Plan Approval from the Town of Wolfville, Marking Major Milestone for Wolfville Housing

Wolfville NS — September 15, 2025 — s2e Technologies Developments Inc. and Canyon Hill Developments are excited to announce that their proposed residential community, Highlands 123 MURB, has officially received site plan approval from the Town of Wolfville. This approval confirms the Town’s support for the construction of 120 new clean energy rental units in the heart of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, addressing the pressing demand for quality housing in the region.

Located at 123 Highland Avenue, and approximately 600 Meters from the campus grounds of Acadia University. Designed by Solterre Design and Studio MNA, the development will feature a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments designed to high energy-efficiency and environmental standards. Some of the units will enjoy views that reach out to Wolfville’s shoreline at the iconic Bay of Fundy. The unit-mix is designed to foster a vibrant, inclusive neighborhood and will contribute to the local economy through job creation and increased tax revenue. It will also address an acute housing shortage in the town.

“We are thrilled to reach this important milestone,” said Ashley Hammerbacher. “With site plan approval secured, we are one step closer to delivering much-needed housing options for families and individuals in Wolfville. We appreciate the support and collaboration of local officials, our architecture, construction and investment partners and community members throughout this process.”

Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2026. Highlands 123 will also include sustainability features including solar PV provided by project partner Sustainable Energy Platforms Inc.

For more information, please visit www.s2etech.com or contact Ashley Hammerbacher, info@s2etech.com

About s2e

S2e is the designer of Canada’s first and largest Net Zero community, West 5 in London Ontario. It is also the developer of EVE Park – a net zero multi-family development that has received widespread recognition for its integration of design, sustainability, and livability. s2e’s sister company Sustainable Energy Platforms Inc. is responsible for the design, commissioning and operations of the EVE Park Microutility.

About Canyon Hill Developments

Canyon Hill Developments is a Canadian land development company specializing in strategic acquisitions, planning, and sustainable community-building in high-growth secondary markets.

 

Media Contact:
Ashley Hammerbacher

Project Director

ashleyh@s2etech.com

519-664-3636 ext. 8523

www.s2etech.com

 

*Conceptual rendering for illustrative purposes only.

Ainsworth Inc. and s2e Technologies Inc. Launch Sustainable Energy Platforms Inc.

Ainsworth Inc. and s2e Technologies Inc. Launch Sustainable Energy Platforms Inc.

Sustainable Energy Platforms Inc. Simplifies the Process of Planning, Building, and Operating Sustainable and Cost-Certain Energy Platforms

Ainsworth Inc., a subsidiary of GDI Integrated Facilities Services Inc. (TSX: GDI), and s2e Technologies Inc. announced the launch of Sustainable Energy Platforms Inc., a joint venture to address the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions in an evolving North American energy landscape.

Sustainable Energy Platforms Inc. helps building owners and energy-intensive companies simplify their decarbonization initiatives. This involves expert navigation of today’s tax incentives and regulations. It also involves preparing for a range of possible future conditions – with solutions that are resilient and hedged against the risk of energy price inflation.

Combining Ainsworth’s building systems maintenance expertise with s2e’s Net-Zero construction and renewable energy expertise, Sustainable Energy Platforms Inc. offers a comprehensive suite of services: Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Maintain (DBFOM) tailored to individual client needs.

Flexibility is a hallmark of the offering. Sustainable Energy Platforms solutions can integrate assets required for energy efficiency as well as renewable energy generation. Customers can participate in sole or partial ownership of the assets. Or they can enjoy the use of the assets through a zero-CapEx contract.  

“Sustainable Energy Platforms simplifies the process of planning, building, and operating sustainable and cost-certain energy platforms while collaborating with all stakeholders, to achieve a well-tailored solution.” said Carlos Fernandez, co-founder of s2e and President and CEO. “Our vision is to help mid-market organizations with high energy usage to transition to more sustainable energy platforms.  Together with Ainsworth, we’re poised to make this transition easier than ever.”

“Our extensive expertise in building systems management contributes significantly to the Sustainable Energy Platforms mission, helping organizations to navigate the complexities of decarbonization successfully,” added Craig Stanford, President and CEO of Ainsworth.  “Together, we’re committed to delivering innovative and resilient solutions that will shape the future of energy management.”

Sustainable Energy Platforms Inc. invites organizations across North America to access its Power Planning tool on its website to model future cost and emissions scenarios based on their current energy usage. For more information, visit www.seplatforms.com.

About Sustainable Energy Platforms Inc. 

Sustainable Energy Platforms Inc. is a joint venture between Ainsworth Inc., a multi-trade organization with diverse property expertise, and s2e Technologies Inc., recognized for its contributions to renewable energy. Sustainable Energy Platforms is dedicated to simplifying decarbonization for organizations across North America by providing custom-tailored solutions resting on an integrated suite of services: Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Maintain (DBFOM).  

By providing customers the option of Zero-CapEx solutions, and by including energy efficiency and resilience enhancements in the scope of solutions, Sustainable Energy Platforms helps customers gain control of their energy future.

About s2e

S2E advances market-ready solutions that make a difference in fighting climate change. Leveraging innovation, technology, and a network of passionate people and partners, our sustainable solutions in renewable energy systems and smart net zero energy communities create lasting economic and environmental benefits. S2e has installed more than a gigawatt of renewable energy generation. Over a history of pioneering sustainable energy achievements in Canada, US and Mexico, s2e developed Canada’s largest solar farm, designed and commissioned Canada’s largest solar panel fabrication facility, and designed North America’s first large-scale mixed-use net-zero community.  S2e is currently moving customers into its iconic EVE Park – a net-zero condo development in London Ontario. Visit s2e on the web at www.s2etech.com, or connect with us on LinkedIn.

About Ainsworth Inc.

Ainsworth is one of Canada’s leading integrated multi-trade companies providing high-quality technical trades services, including HVAC, mechanical, electrical, data cabling, building automation solutions, and smart building technologies for institutional, commercial, and industrial clients across Canada and the US. As an integrated multi-trade services company, Ainsworth offers end-to-end services and solutions for all asset maintenance and refurbishment requirements for its customers. Ainsworth is a wholly owned subsidiary of GDI Integrated Facility Services Inc.  GDI is a leading integrated commercial facility services provider which offers a range of services in Canada and the United States to owners and managers of a variety of facility types including office buildings, educational facilities, distribution centres, industrial facilities, healthcare establishments, stadiums and event venues, hotels, shopping centres, airports and other transportation facilities. In addition to the services provided by Ainsworth, GDI’s commercial facility services capabilities include commercial janitorial, energy advisory and system optimization, as well as other complementary services such as janitorial products, manufacturing and distribution. GDI’s subordinate voting shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: GDI). Additional information on GDI can be found on its website at www.gdi.com.

Website: www.seplatforms.com

SOURCE Sustainable Energy Platforms

For further information: Glen Drummond, gdrummond@seplatforms.com, 1-877-736-0806

Innovation strikes again with completion of s2e’s FCM/GMF report for smart community development across Canada

Innovation strikes again with completion of s2e’s FCM/GMF report for smart community development across Canada

Canadian sustainable leaders announce solution to facilitate net-zero communities throughout cities

During this Earth Day season, we are celebrating leadership that truly makes an impact that is measureable.

On March 29, a remarkable event took place in West 5 (London, ON) with Canada’s global energy innovators, S2E Technologies Inc. and Sifton Properties where they seized an exciting moment for Canadian cities. Derek Satnik, VP of Technology, Smart Communities at S2E Technologies Inc. and principal investigator for the “FCM/GMF Feasibility Study: Municipal Tools for Catalyzing Net-Zero Energy Development”, hosted the event announcing the completion of the study. The report outlines what a municipality can reasonably do to motivate and enable builders to construct net-zero energy developments in communities across Canada.

The event began with 30 mins of speeches from the major stakeholders including Berry Vrbanovic, Mayor of Kitchener; Milfred Hammerbacher, CEO of S2e Technologies Inc., and Richard Sifton, CEO of Sifton Properties. Different media channels were invited to capture the essence of what this report meant to the cities. Following this, a tour of West 5 allowed guests to see the finished townhomes, construction of current projects, and the overall incredible development of the sustainable neighbourhood.

The report, available in 3 different versions, is a valuable tool that explains how to effectively enable developers to build net-zero communities across Canada, with a focus on the technologies and investment methods used, and on effective municipal incentives and processes. The report was funded by Cities of Kingston, Kitchener, London and Waterloo, and by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM’s) Green Municipality Fund.

S2e’s partnership between the FCM, four cities, and eight other developers (two per city) covered the development of brown and green fields, landfills, re-urbanization, heritage, mixed densities, and more. The study looks at three complementary and independent focuses which are described as technical feasibility, financial feasibility, and policy/process feasibility.

Climate change is having a measureable impact on Canada through increased flooding, wild fires, and other major weather events. Municipalities are in the best position to enable local leadership which addresses climate change, and sustainable neighbourhoods are a significant part of the solution. This report gives municipalities a set of real tools that have been tested and shown to be effective. Now they need to be put into practice.

“It’s an experience, we need to continue to educate”. – Milfred Hammerbacher,

CEO – S2e Technologies

“Earth Day is the best possible time to demonstrate climate leadership and to take action. This report gives tools to municipalities that are ready for use, and that work.” – Derek Satnik, VP of Technology, Smart Communities – S2e Technologies 

The event was a tremendous success that brought many people together to celebrate a step in the right direction where education and equipping were the themes throughout, stressing the ability to provide a better solution towards a promising future. This Earth Day, s2e is proud to be enabling true leadership at the local level with partners like FCM and the Cities of Kingston, Kitchener, London and Waterloo.

Visit us on the web at www.s2etech.com, connect with us on LinkedIn or follow us on Twitter.

For more information contact:

Kimberley Love
Public Relations for S2e Technologies
Phone: 519-373-1460
Email: kimberleyalove@gmail.com

Innovative EVE Park community gets zoning approval from City of London

Innovative EVE Park community gets zoning approval from City of London

Canadian energy innovator s2e behind a residential build that could change the way we live

London ON CANADA – The much-anticipated EVE Park project – an innovative residential community on the west side of London, Ontario – cleared another milestone in December, when local council voted unanimously to approve the zoning by-laws for the pioneering net-zero energy community. The December 10th approval has passed the requisite appeal period as of January 13th.

Derek Satnik, Vice President of Technology, Smart Communities for S2e, has been shepherding the zoning process. “We are really pleased that the zoning change had unanimous support from

council,” said Satnik, who was present at the December meeting. “We know, of course, that the City of London is deeply committed to sustainability issues, and it’s one of the reasons that a project like this is a great fit here.”

The EVE Park project is a groundbreaking residential community designed to integrate green energy technologies with a site plan that focuses on community and shared green space. The community has been designed with an autonomous vehicle future in mind; the plan includes an electric vehicle

car-share program, and removes car garages from the home to allow for more pedestrian-friendly walkways and more outdoor space for uses such as open parks, gardens, small playgrounds or walking trails. The community will include approximately 80 households, and is designed to be offered at market rate.

In their comments on the zoning approval, councillors noted the developer’s commitment to sustainability and alternative mobility.

S2e has co-developed the two largest solar farms in Canada, and has been technical advisor on a long list of projects including the neighbouring West 5 project (Sifton Properties), the first net-zero energy supermarket in Canada (Longos, Stouffville) and are currently in the process of developing net zero energy communities in Mexico, as well as the U.S. where land is under contract and a second EVE Park design is in the planning stages.

“We are all acutely aware of the climate crisis,” says Ashley Hammerbacher, Team Lead for the EVE Park project. “Our vision for EVE Park was to create the kind of sustainable community that could be a serious, viable part of the solution. A community that could generate as much energy as it used

– and that could reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and change our relationship with our environment and our neighbours. I keep hearing that it must be too hard or too expensive. Those are misconceptions, and we’re tackling them with the support of partners – like Ellis Don, Gensler, and others – who are working with us to change perceptions of what is possible.”

The sweeping, circular design of the buildings has also been a key identifying feature of EVE Park, which looks unlike any residential project in the world. The unique design creates community spaces and wide-angle views, says Hammerbacher, who notes that “the idea is that we want to live in a park,

not a parking lot.”

The company has kept in close contact with the London-area community as the EVE Park project has developed, and hopes to break ground in the coming months, although dates are not yet set.

“S2e is proud to be working with the City of London and our EVE Park partners to demonstrate how developers can show leadership on environmental issues by building energy-efficient, thoughtfully designed communities. We know that Canadians respond to the climate message and are looking to be part of the solution. EVE Park can help to show the way forward.”

Milfred Hammerbacher

CEO – S2e Technologies

Visit us on the web at www.s2etech.com, connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

For more information contact:

Kimberley Love
Public Relations for S2e Technologies
Phone: 519-373-1460
Email: kimberleyalove@gmail.com

Energy innovator s2e continues to lead industry: pursuing net-zero-energy in high-rise “Helio”

Energy innovator s2e continues to lead industry: pursuing net-zero-energy in high-rise “Helio”

Canadian firm continues to demonstrate radical energy efficiencies in commercial building

Canada’s S2e Technologies continues to assert itself as a global leader in energy innovation, with the announcement of Helio: a mixed-use, multi-unit residential high-rise building with a “near-net-zero” energy footprint. The announcement last week follows the 2018 construction of Canada’s first major supermarket pursuing net-zero energy (Longos) in Stouffville Ontario: another breakthrough project by S2e.

Helio, in London Ontario, has attracted a $3.9M investment by Natural Resources Canada, through its Energy Innovation Program. S2e is a key partner and technology advisor with the building owner, London-based Sifton Properties. The innovative high-rise, which will be a feature in a net-zero-energy community developed with Sifton Properties, is expected to begin construction later this year.

While North American consumers show increasing willingness to make purchase decisions based on environmental and energy factors, and car manufacturers compete to refine electric vehicle technologies, Canada’s own S2e has been rapidly challenging energy assumptions on large building projects: bringing residential and commercial developers like Sifton into the forefront of radical energy innovation.

Helio will feature a system of energy efficiencies and innovations, including:

    • Lower window/wall ratio
    • Triple-pane low-e argon windows
    • In-suite ERV’s
    • Low-flow showers
    • Variable volume make-up air system
    • Corridor occupancy sensors
    • ERV smart controls
    • Energy Star appliances
    • Thermally broken balconies
    • Air-source VRF for the HVAC system
    • 270kW of BIPV on the building and over the parking area

These features are expected to generate a total 77% energy reduction and 90% reduced carbon emissions, according to Derek Satnik, S2e’s VP Technology, Smart Communities.

Natural Resources Canada notes that a key objective of the project is “to demonstrate that net-zero energy is feasible at the community level, and to inspire and inform widespread change across Canada’s construction industry towards net-zero energy.”

“This project will demonstrate first-of-its-kind net-zero energy construction in high-rise residential buildings, making it a model for the future.  Through energy-efficient practices and the use of renewable energy technologies, this project is creating new jobs and protecting our environment.”

Amarjeet Sohi

Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources

“Many Canadians don’t realize how important Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is for projects like this, or the benefits that can come from this funding. This investment from NRCan represents just over 5% of the total construction budget, but it’s the 5% that has the most impact on saving energy, promoting local industry, and creating new opportunity.  Projects like this create jobs, which pay taxes, which pay for the program. In the end, we keep the jobs, we have a better building, and an environmental benefit. It’s a win-win-win all around, and a smart investment by government.”

Derek Satnik

VP of Technology, Smart Communities – S2e Technologies

“S2e is proud to be working with Sifton on the Helio building in the West5 community: two leadership projects that are showing the industry how to build self-sufficient communities. Buildings the size of Helio are very challenging to achieve net-zero energy in Northern climates, but they can be made super-efficient, and then – as we’ve done with Helio – built as part of a larger neighbourhood that provides all its own energy.  We plan to incorporate more buildings like Helio at West 5, and demonstrate how developers all over North America can show their own leadership with neighbourhoods that can produce as much energy as they use.

Milfred Hammerbacher

CEO – S2e Technologies

About S2e

S2e is committed to changing the way buildings are designed – by providing immediately available, cost-effective solutions that make a real difference in fighting climate change and provide a better future for us all. Leveraging innovation, technology and a network of passionate people and partners, our sustainable solutions in renewable energy systems and smart net zero energy communities create lasting benefit for the economy and the environment. S2e Technologies collaborates with high profile partners from around the world to carry out sustainable and renewable energy projects that reflect a common goal: to better our environment.  Visit us on the web at www.s2etech.com, connect with us on LinkedIn or follow us on Twitter.