Pinedale Properties
Pinedale Properties, formerly part of Belmont Properties Ltd., is a privately-owned real estate development and property management company that has been passed on through three generations of Grossmans. They develop and manage multi-family residential apartments in Toronto, as well as commercial and retail properties. They have engaged in the development, ownership and operation of thousands of rental apartments and homes throughout the GTA since 1955. Pinedale Properties also own four major condo construction sites and two popular strip plazas at King and Dufferin that are currently slated for demolition in order to build condos.
Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, Pinedale Properties has been in the news for the harassment and intimidation of tenants in their Scarborough buildings. Pinedale representatives have gone door-to-door with debit machines demanding that tenants max out their credit cards to pay the landlord with money they do not have. Tenants at those buildings have long-standing unaddressed issues with disrepair and pests. Demands for rent during a global pandemic amounts to the most attention many of these tenants have received from their landlord.
“This COVID is nothing. ok? […]There will be lots of deaths, it's inevitable ok? But the thing is you have to remember ok? The economy has to keep on rolling […] You know the government's got everyone scared, wearing masks and gloves and everything. We have to keep the economy running.”
- Pinedale representative
George Grossman, CEO
George Grossman inherited Pinedale Properties from his father Alexander Grossman. George Grossman, a graduate from the University of Toronto Law School is a labour and real-estate lawyer. He is the third generation of Grossman to profit from their real-estate company.
Kitty Grossman (left) and her husband George Grossman of the Grossman empire.
Robin Bookbinder, VP
Robin Bookbinder is the current Vice-President of Finance of Pinedale Properties. He has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto and is the former Chair of the Federation of Rental Housing Providers. He has spoken to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on behalf of the Greater Toronto Homebuilders’ Association and sits on the Board of The Succession Fund, a company that purchases shares from shareholders looking to liquidate funds. In a speech to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on behalf of Pinedale Properties, Robin Bookbinder argued against tenants being able to raise maintenance issues in response to landlords raising rents above the provincial guideline. He argues that hearings for rent increases and evictions should be quicker and easier, which he believes “good tenants” support.
“There is no question that making it harder for owners to evict non-paying customers is quite unpopular with tenants generally.”
- Robin Bookbinder
Yoram Birenzweig, VP
Yoram Birenzweig is the Vice-President of Pinedale Properties and George Grossman’s nephew. Yoram made the news for being a reasonable landlord in negotiations with the beloved independent bookstore Pages that had operated out of their Queen West location since the early 1980s. Pages received an outpouring of public support. Soon after those positive news stories were published, Yoram and Pinedale Properties significantly hiked Pages’ rent and led to the end of the bookstore. The space was then held vacant by Pinedale Properties for 8 years. They found a new tenant for this space only when the tax rebate program for vacant storefronts was cancelled in 2018.
Properties owned by Pinedale in Toronto
170 Jameson Avenue
21 Eccleston Drive
2730 Yonge Street
1 Eccleston Drive
3 Eccleston Drive
26 Sloane Avenue
137 Isabella Street
159 Russell Hill Road
221 Russell Hill Road
1710-1716 Main Street
7-11 Crescent Place
9-27 Bergamot Avenue
5 Fisherville Road
14-20 Carluke Crescent
3000 Dufferin Street
135 Rose Avenue
670 Parliament Street
3636 Bathurst Street
1855 Jane Street
Commercial properties not listed
Tenant Testimonials
“I have lived in Crescent Town for 6 years, and Pinedale has always treated tenants with disrespect. They never do repairs on time, have unprofessional staff who insult us when we ask for anything. I know a single mother who was evicted before the pandemic hit and had all her stuff thrown out by Isabella [property manager]. Their behaviour since the pandemic hit has shocked the public, but it is not surprising for us who have been dealing with them for years.”
“Pinedale Properties is a corrupt company and I have seen tons of dirty behaviour over the years. I have been her for over 12 years, and see firsthand how many corners they cut and how much money they make off us. My unit is going for double the price now, and I know they are looking for any excuse to kick me and other older tenants out.”
“Crescent Town is the first place I moved my family to in Canada. We like living here because it is close to the subway, and we are close to our community and culture. But I am paying $2200 for a two bedroom with bedbugs and many other issues, and the rent is always going up. Why is rent always going up when nothing improves in building?”
In The News
Tenants of Pinedale —
Organize with your neighbours
Share your Pinedale stories with us.
Tenants across the city are organizing together against rent increases, disrepair and disrespect. Tell us about your experiences as a Pinedale tenant and join your neighbours.