Community & Stories

Sustainability gets talked about a lot in real estate. It’s become a common feature on websites and in marketing, often alongside promises to “go paperless” or “use energy-efficient lighting.” Those are good steps, but we think sustainability should be part of how a business operates every day, not just something that appears in a list of values.

When we opened Alice Street Realty, we had the opportunity to build a brokerage from the ground up. We wanted to make choices that reflected the kind of business we hope to be and the kind of city we want to contribute to.

That started with the building itself.

Instead of moving into a new commercial space, we chose to renovate an older building in The Ward. Reusing an existing building preserves part of Guelph’s character while avoiding much of the environmental impact that comes with new construction. One of the things we loved about the building was that it already had solar panels installed, a feature that aligned perfectly with the kind of brokerage we wanted to create and supports the use of renewable energy every day.

Inside the office, we looked for opportunities to reuse instead of replace. Much of our furniture was purchased second-hand, giving quality pieces a second life rather than sending them to landfill. It also helped us create the warm, lived-in space we were looking for.

We’ve tried to carry that thinking into the everyday details, too.

Coffee is a big part of any real estate office, but that doesn’t mean it needs to create piles of waste. We serve locally roasted organic coffee in ceramic mugs instead of single-use pods and disposable cups. It tastes better, supports a local business, and creates far less waste.

We’re also committed to composting and recycling properly. While many commercial buildings don’t offer organics collection we’ve made it part of our daily routine. It’s a small habit, but over time it makes a meaningful difference.

Transportation is another area where we think we can do better.

Rather than always defaulting to driving, we’re planning neighbourhood bike tours for clients who want to experience Guelph from a different perspective. It’s a great way to slow down, explore local streets, parks, cafés, and trails, and get a feel for a neighbourhood beyond what you see through a windshield.

We’re also introducing agent open house tours by bike. Instead of driving from listing to listing, we’ll be encouraging agents to explore homes together on two wheels whenever it makes sense. It’s practical, enjoyable, and a reminder that not every trip needs a car.

Of course, we’ll still be reducing paper, using efficient appliances, and making thoughtful choices about energy and supplies. Those things matter. But they’re also the baseline.

Our goal isn’t to make sustainability a marketing campaign. It’s to make it part of how we work.

We know we won’t get everything right, and we know there will always be opportunities to improve. That’s okay. We’d rather keep making practical changes than claim to have all the answers.

We hope that, over time, Alice Street Realty becomes known as Guelph’s most sustainable real estate brokerage—not because we say it is, but because the way we operate speaks for itself.