When OCAD University issued a request for proposals in 2015 for the co-ownership of 230 to 240 Richmond Street West, Hullmark saw more than a historic brick-and-beam building in downtown Toronto. The firm identified an opportunity to build a long-term partnership rooted in shared values, specifically creativity and the capacity of design to shape urban environments.

Nearly a decade later, the partnership demonstrates the potential of real estate to function directly as a platform for culture, learning, and public life.

“When art, education, and the built environment are thoughtfully aligned, buildings can become catalysts—for ideas, for emerging talent, and for the life of the city itself.”

- Jeff Hull, President & CEO, Hullmark

Located just west of University Avenue, 230 to 240 Richmond Street West is a 100-year-old industrial building that operates within Toronto's creative ecosystem. Together with OCAD University, Canada's largest and oldest art and design university, Hullmark executed a $15 million capital program to restore and modernize the property. The renovation preserved the architectural character and upgraded the mechanical systems to meet contemporary standards. This resulted in a building that earned a BOMA BEST designation for sustainability.

The collaboration extended beyond the physical structure. Hullmark and OCAD U shared a vision of making art visible and accessible. Student murals, emerging artist commissions, and structural interventions transformed spaces such as stairwells, bike rooms, and corridors. Art functions as an integral part of the building's daily experience.

The commitment to emerging artists and designers continues to grow. With BentallGreenOak, Hullmark is a longstanding supporter of OCAD U's GradEx, Toronto's largest free art and design exhibition. GradEx 109, held in May 2024, drew over 41,000 visitors to the campus. This represented the highest attendance since before the pandemic. The event showcased work by more than 800 graduating artists, designers, and digital media makers.

As a presenting sponsor, Hullmark helped provide a platform for new voices to reach the broader public. Events like GradEx demonstrate that creative education thrives when it connects directly with the surrounding city and engages real audiences.

Following the completion of 230 to 240 Richmond Street West, OCAD U invited Hullmark to expand the partnership at 205 Richmond Street West in 2017. In 2019, Hullmark supported the University in realizing the long-term financial and cultural value generated by the revitalization of the original property.

The partnership operates on a mutual understanding of long-term cultural and financial value. Both organizations prioritize sustainability and the principle that urban environments strengthen when education and the public realm integrate thoughtfully.

OCAD University directly impacts Canada's creative economy. The institution educates over 4,700 students across art, design, digital media, and emerging disciplines. Graduates influence fields ranging from urban planning and animation to architecture and public art. These professionals frequently shape the neighborhoods where Hullmark operates.

For Hullmark, partnering with OCAD U reinforces the core objectives of the firm. Buildings function as catalysts for ideas and platforms for emerging talent. They contribute to a highly functional and inclusive urban environment.

As Toronto evolves, Hullmark invests alongside institutions that conceptualize and actively build the future of Canadian art and design.