Real Estate Development Insights

Send us Fan Mail Join us in this informative episode where we sit down with Blair Scorgie, an accomplished Registered Professional Planner and urban designer based in Toronto. With over 17 years of experience spanning public policy, secondary plans, mid-rise housing, and development approvals, Blair brings a deep and practical understanding of Toronto’s complex planning environment. In this conver...

Send us Fan Mail Join us in this engaging episode where we welcome Justin Aykler from Grid Developments and Aykler Real Estate. With over 20 years of experience in the real estate and development industry, Justin shares his journey from starting after his MBA to becoming a key player in his family business. We delve into the multifaceted aspects of real estate, from development cycles and market t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Real Estate Development Insights , we explore a topic at the heart of every development conversation today: construction costs. Our guest, Marlon Bray, is a seasoned industry expert who recently transitioned from cost consulting into a more hands-on construction management role. With decades of experience in pricing, budgeting, and project execution, Marlon offe...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights podcast, we sit down with Brendan Whitsitt to explore the evolving landscape of purpose-built rental housing (PBR) . With a career that spans architecture, private development, and large institutional platforms like Tricon Residential, Brendan brings a nuanced perspective on what it takes to make rental projects work in today...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Join Payam and esteemed architect Jaegap Chung as they delve into the complexities and future of urban housing design. Jaegap, a first-generation immigrant and seasoned architect focusing on housing solutions, shares insights on creating livable and sustainable mid-rise buildings in Toronto. The conversation navigates through the evolution of housing trends, the q...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with David Roff, Vice President of Business Development at Cranson Capital, to discuss all things related to raising equity for residential real estate development. David explains the intricate differences between equity and debt in the context of real estate projects, covering various forms of financing such as construction loans, bridge loans, and me...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights Podcast, we welcome architect Matt Bolen, who has been a pioneering force in the field of  prefabrication & mass timber construction. Matt discusses his extensive experience and passion for innovative building technologies, focusing on sustainable design and prefabricated methods. We delve into the definition of sustainab...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights podcast, Edward Skira and Ash Navabi from Urban Toronto discuss the comprehensive data and trends in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) real estate market. The episode delves into the founding of Urban Toronto, the types of data they track, and the significant impact of policies on development. The conversation highlights current...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Payam hosts Mike, a seasoned entrepreneur who has made the shift from a landlord to a real estate developer. Mike shares his experiences, challenges, and learnings, from starting a tech-incubator company that didn't survive the dot-com burst to build a successful real estate portfolio with 300+ units. They dive deep into the importance of relationships, the m...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights podcast, host Payam Noursalehi discusses the importance of adapting to changes in the construction and real estate development industry. With no guests, Payam shares his personal experiences and insights from working on various projects over the years. The episode focuses on the need for new, sustainable, and efficient buildi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights podcast , host Payam Noursalehi is joined by Ed Hamzanlui, founder and operator of Masscan Capital in Boston, Massachusetts. Ed shares his experience and insights into the housing crisis solutions being implemented in Massachusetts. They discuss various initiatives like the MBTA Act, which encourages density around public tra...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights Podcast , I sat down with Josh, a seasoned executive in the housing development industry, to discuss his journey from a high-profile corporate role to co-founding InnoDev Partners. They explore the complexities of Toronto’s housing market, the concept of missing middle housing, and the importance of transit-oriented developme...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights Podcast , we interview Dave Dekort, Director of Project Management at Mattamy Homes, to discuss developing mid-rise buildings in the Greater Toronto Area. Dave shares his background, the evolution of Mattamy Homes, and the company’s shift from low-rise to urban mid-rise construction. The conversation covers various building s...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights Podcast , we interview Zev, a partner at Gardner Roberts LLP, a full-service law firm in Toronto, to discuss essential legal considerations for real estate developers. From choosing the proper legal structure, whether a limited partnership or a co-tenancy, to the importance of due diligence and the nuances of financing option...

Send us Fan Mail Jonathan Diamond is a principal at Well Grounded Real Estate, a family-run firm that owns and operates a portfolio of multi-family and retail properties throughout Ontario.  He has been instrumental in driving purpose-built rental developments, showcasing a commitment to scalable strategies for building design, development, and execution. Notably, Diamond holds a PhD in neuroscien...

Send us Fan Mail In this special episode, we look back at the show's first year. We recap the key highlights from each episode.   (#17) Major Streets & Multiplex Housing in City of Toronto   (#16) A Conversation With A Real Estate Developer (#15) Limberlost Case Study: A Pioneering Mass Timber Project  (#14) Building Code Changes, Opportunities & Shortcomings  (#13)Urban Planning and...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights Podcast , I interview Michael Testaguzza and Robert McQuillan to discuss recent changes in the City of Toronto's housing policies (Major Streets & Multiplex Housing ) , focusing on expanding housing options in neighbourhoods. They delve into the specifics of multiplex and major street initiatives, guide developers th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights Podcast , seasoned real estate developer Shakeel Walji shares insights from his 30-year career in the industry. Shakeel discusses his unconventional journey from engineering to marketing and ultimately into real estate development, where he now manages multiple businesses. He offers practical advice for aspiring developers, e...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights Podcast , I sit down with Phil Silverstein, a principal at Moriyama Teshima Architects, to discuss the significance of George Brown College's Limberlost Project as a Pioneering Project. Phil shares insights into his journey into regenerative design, the advantages of mass timber in sustainable architecture, and the groun...

Send us Fan Mail In this Real Estate Development Insights Podcast episode, I interview Jack Keays, the principal at Vortex Fire, and we talk about Building Code changes, opportunities, and shortcomings for real estate developments. The discussions cover the evolution of building codes, their impact on the construction and real estate industries, and how developers can navigate these changes to unv...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights Podcast, I interview Andrew, a seasoned city planner from WND, about Urban Planning And The Housing Crisis, as he shares his journey into urban planning and his experiences working within municipalities like Mississauga. Andrew delves into the intricacies of planning, highlighting the importance of understanding both the art...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights Podcast , Rod, the President and Owner of One Space Unlimited Inc., shares his extensive experience and insights into architectural and interior design services, primarily focused on the hospitality and multifamily residential industries across Canada. He emphasizes the importance of assembling the right team, understanding t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Raymond Van Groll, Director of Building Structures at M.T.E., discusses the complexities and considerations of structural engineering in real estate development. Covering his extensive experience—from high-rise projects to mid-rise buildings—Raymond elaborates on various construction materials and systems, including concrete, wood, and hybrid systems. He highlight...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Morteza Haider, professor at Toronto Metropolitan University and director of the Urban Analytics Institute, discusses his background and current work in real estate management and urban analytics. Dr. Haider delves into complex real estate problems in Canada, particularly the persistent housing affordability crisis. He explains the significant challenges faced...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights podcast , I welcome Hoordad Ghandehari, a licensed architect in Toronto with nearly three decades of experience. Hoordad shares insights from his journey, detailing his background, architectural practice, and significant milestones. The conversation encompasses crucial aspects of real estate development, particularly focusing...