From revitalizing homes to creating inclusive community experiences, Avenue Living is taking purposeful steps to help families thrive
This article was produced in conjunction with and published on behalf of Avenue Living Asset Management Ltd.
Since acquiring its first multi-residential portfolio in 2006, Avenue Living has grown into a vertically integrated operation with investments spanning multi-family, self-storage, and agricultural real estate.
As a private owner-operator with over $7.5 billion in assets under management across North America, the organization remains grounded in its mission to invest in the everyday. According to Gabriel Millard, managing partner of equity capital markets, that mission is guided by a family-first ethos — one that prioritizes creating homes where families thrive, supporting communities through sponsorship and volunteerism, and promoting family-friendly events for all stakeholders.
“Supporting families is at the heart of what we do,” says Millard. “We have embedded that value across our entire business, and it informs all of our decisions.”
Resident experience: Creating homes that grow with families
One focus of Avenue Living’s family-centric approach is to create homes that allow families to grow and thrive.
With homeownership increasingly out of reach for many Canadians, long-term renting is becoming a practical and appealing lifestyle. At the same time, demographic shifts are transforming renter needs. Millennials once drawn to compact, urban spaces are now seeking roomier options to accommodate children — and 400 square feet no longer hits the mark.
“For twenty years, we have been acquiring older-style multi-family properties with larger floor plans or buying newer developments with more space,” says Millard. “Our focused strategy has been a differentiator for us since the start.”
Avenue Living is investing across its multi-family portfolio to make rental life more comfortable and community-focused — from parks and playgrounds to well-lit walkways and landscaped green spaces, these amenities offer a great location for regular events like barbecues and mixers to help residents build lasting connections.
“We hear so many anecdotal insights across our entire team on a daily basis,” Millard says. “Whether it’s a story about neighbours bonding at an ice cream day or one of our leasing specialists supporting a new Canadian with their application process, the experiences that we share with our residents help them stay longer and feel more at home.”
Connecting team members: Building stronger communities
Avenue Living’s commitment to families extends beyond the walls of its properties — it is equally focused on building stronger communities and supporting its employees in making a meaningful difference. One of its signature programs involves employer-supported volunteering, which allows the organization to provide community support while fostering purpose and connection.
“It is a great opportunity for our teams to come together, get involved, and have an impact on their communities. This is an area where we have seen significant growth and continuous uptake year after year,” Millard explains. “The more it becomes ingrained into the Avenue ecosystem among employees, the more we are able to solidify it as part of our culture.”
Through their employer-supported volunteering, along with additional partnerships and sponsorships, Avenue Living contributes to many causes across North America. These include UNICEF Canada, meal programs and food banks, kids' sports, domestic violence support centres, seniors’ associations, and other values-aligned organizations.
These initiatives reinforce what we have always believed: when people have a common purpose and give back to important causes as a team, everyone benefits.
Finding balance: Extending the family-centric approach across all networks
For financial advisors and portfolio managers in Avenue Living’s network, the firm has cultivated a unique approach to corporate relationships — one that embraces a family-oriented mindset.
By hosting large, family-friendly gatherings such as private movie screenings and dinner theatre outings at Medieval Times, Avenue Living is helping members of its professional networks, and its own asset management team, reclaim precious quality time with their loved ones.
“These events have been wildly successful,” Millard says. “For so long, corporate gatherings in the financial services world have revolved around professional outings or business activities, and we think it makes sense to try something different. People are always looking for fun, meaningful things to do with their kids and these gatherings offer a great way to connect and form community in a setting that includes the whole family.”
The firm believes strong relationships are built through shared values — and that includes recognizing the importance of family in both business and life.
Looking ahead, the team will continue their unique approach with pumpkin-picking excursions, gaming events, and seasonal celebrations, all designed to bring families together while offering employees and other stakeholders an opportunity to mingle and grow their relationships.
The future is family-friendly
At Avenue Living, putting family first is more than a value, it is a guiding principle woven into every part of the business. From creating homes that offer space and stability to supporting our network and employees in finding balance and connection, this shapes how the company grows and invests.
As Avenue Living continues to expand across North America, its commitment to cultivating an inclusive and welcoming environment remains unchanged. They are shaping homes and supporting events to nurture long-term, sustainable relationships across all facets of the business.
This article and the information contained herein are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities in any jurisdiction.
This article was paid for by Avenue Living.
