(Source: Business Wire)Brookfield Properties Corporation (BPO: NYSE, TSX), its Canadian-based subsidiary, BPO Properties Ltd. (BPP: TSX), along with ownership partners Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo), today announced that First Canadian Place in downtown Toronto will undergo a thorough renovation program, including a total recladding of the building's exterior with glass spandrel panels to replace the existing white marble. The project will begin immediately and is expected to be completed by the end of 2011.

"This rejuvenation program will reinforce the iconic status of one of Canada's most prominent and recognizable buildings," said Tom Farley, President & CEO of Canadian Commercial Operations for Brookfield Properties.

The overall recladding project includes the installation of 7,800 glass spandrel panels on the building façade, totaling 375,000 square feet; the existing 45,000 pieces of marble will be removed and recycled. One glass spandrel panel replaces eight pieces of marble. The existing windows will remain in place.

The spandrel panels are a laminated glass assembly utilizing ceramic frit as well as clear and opaque interlayer technologies. Inspired by historic patterns and geometry used by First Canadian Place architect Edward Durell Stone, the frit design projects a luminous white texture on the building façade from top to bottom, updating the original appearance of the white Carrera marble. Bronze laminate glass will be applied along the four recessed vertical corners to emphasize the building's form and height. Laminate glass was selected for its strength, sustainability and safety.

Moed de Armas & Shannon Architects are the design architects while B+H Architects are the Architects of Record, as they were when the tower was originally built in 1975. The fritting was designed by Doyle Partners.

In addition to the recladding, the office lobbies, retail areas and mechanical and electrical systems of First Canadian Place will undergo extensive renovation. Enhanced energy conservation measures and infrastructure upgrades will be made in order to obtain LEED -- EB:OM certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance). The update includes a complete chiller and transformer replacement and the installation of high-efficiency toilets and faucets.

First Canadian Place was acquired by Brookfield and its partners in 2005.