Toronto Under Construction

In Episode 112 of Toronto Under Construction, Ben Myers is joined by Dave Wilkes of BILD, John Michael McGrath of TVO Today, and Rob Krauss of Building Edge Strategies for a wide-ranging discussion on the evolving role of government in housing delivery. As new funding programs, tax incentives and planning reforms continue to reshape Ontario's development landscape, the conversation explores how public policy is influencing everything from project viability and affordability to infrastructure funding and municipal approvals. From development charges and the Building Ontario Fund to the enhanced HST rebate, planning reform and municipal incentive programs, the episode offers an insightful look at how stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors is becoming an increasingly important part of delivering new housing across Ontario. *Sponsored by: BCGi Baron Consulting Group Executive Search*

In Episode 111 of Toronto Under Construction, Ben Myers sits down with Matt Young of Republic Developments, Michael Williams of Hazelview Investments, and Alexander Suppa of Elysium Investments to explore how Canada's development industry is adapting to a rapidly changing housing landscape. As market conditions continue to challenge traditional development models, the conversation examines the new strategies, partnerships and financing tools helping projects move from concept to construction. From the evolution of the condominium market and the long-term outlook for purpose-built rental to government investment, student housing and the transformation of emerging neighbourhoods, the episode offers an insightful look at how developers and investors are finding new ways to deliver much-needed housing across the country. *Sponsored by: BCGi Baron Consulting Group Executive Search*

In Episode 110 of Toronto Under Construction, Ben Myers sits down with Jeremy Dason of Primont, Tyler Pridham of Manulife Investment Management, and Daniel Marinovic of PwC Canada to examine how developers, investors and advisors are adapting to a rapidly evolving real estate market. As shifting capital markets, changing buyer behaviour and new financing structures reshape the industry, the conversation explores the strategic decisions influencing everything from purpose-built rental and condominium development to investment, product design and long-term risk. From the future of rental housing and creative capital structures to distressed condominium opportunities, changing buyer demographics and the role of policy in shaping housing supply, the episode offers a thoughtful look at how today's market is forcing the industry to rethink old assumptions and embrace new approaches. *Sponsored by: BCGi Baron Consulting Group Executive Search*

In Episode 109 of Toronto Under Construction, Ben Myers sits down with Myles Millard of CentreCourt, Christopher Janisse of Park Property, and Aleks Karamarkovic of Karamark Capital for a discussion on what it takes to deliver and operate purpose-built rental housing in today's market. As developers increasingly pivot away from condominiums, the conversation explores the realities of financing, leasing, design, construction and long-term ownership through the lens of those actively building, operating and investing in the sector. From improving construction economics and evolving capital markets to tenant retention, floorplan optimization and the changing expectations of institutional investors, the episode examines how Canada's rental industry is adapting to a very different development landscape. *Sponsored by: BCGi Baron Consulting Group Executive Search*

In Episode 108 of Toronto Under Construction, Ben Myers sits down with Scott Arbuckle of Arcadis, Warren Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit Business Corporation (MCBC) and Derek Goring of Northcrest Developments for a conversation about the evolving role of Indigenous partnerships in shaping the future of city building. The discussion explores how relationships between First Nations, developers and design firms are moving beyond traditional consultation toward long-term collaboration across planning, infrastructure, economic development and real estate. Using projects such as YZD and the newly announced MCBC-Arcadis partnership as a backdrop, the episode examines how Indigenous-led development, economic reconciliation and shared stewardship are influencing the next generation of communities across the Greater Toronto Area. *Sponsored by: BCGi Baron Consulting Group Executive Search*

In Episode 107 of Toronto Under Construction, Ben Myers sits down with Josh MacLeod of NBLC, Carlo Timpano of Capital Developments and Address Rentals, and Quinn Samardzic of Mattamy Homes for a discussion on how developers are responding to a housing market increasingly driven by end users rather than investors. The conversation explores the rise of bulk condo acquisitions, the growing divide between investor and end-user product, the evolution of purpose-built rental, new approaches to housing design and construction, and the realities of pricing, closings and expansion in a slower market. From underwriting rental projects to prefabricated housing and shifting buyer expectations, the episode examines how some of the industry's most active players are adapting their strategies for a market that looks very different than it did just a few years ago. *Sponsored by: BCGi Baron Consulting Group Executive Search*

In Episode 106 of Toronto Under Construction, Ben Myers sits down with Kiel O'Sullivan of Previon Capital, Duncan Smith of Oben Group and Anthony Staffieri of Fengate for a discussion on where capital is flowing as the housing industry adapts to a changing market. The conversation explores everything from construction costs, purpose-built rental economics and institutional investment to vertical integration, development incentives and the evolving relationship between housing policy and private capital. From Toronto to the United States, the guests share their perspectives on how developers, investors and operators are adjusting their strategies, rethinking traditional business models and positioning themselves for the next phase of growth in residential real estate. *Sponsored by: BCGi Baron Consulting Group Executive Search*

In Episode 105, Ben sits down with Jim Ritchie of Tridel and Hunter Milborne of Milborne Group for a wide-ranging discussion that blends market history with today’s realities. Drawing on research about the early 1990s real estate crisis, the post-recession recovery of the late 1990s, the Global Financial Crisis, and more recent commentary on demand and product mix, the conversation explores how lending practices, leverage, buyer psychology and product strategy have shaped Toronto’s housing cycles. From Olympia & York to stacked townhouses, from luxury conversions to micro-suites, the episode examines what actually changes in downturns, what repeats, and what lessons still apply as the market recalibrates once again. *Sponsored by: BCGi Baron Consulting Group Executive Search*

In Episode 104 of Toronto Under Construction, Ben Myers sits down with Ian Pinchin of Crestpoint, Kalliopi Karkas of RioCan, and Lee Piccoli of Fusion Homes for a wide-ranging discussion on the intersection of policy, capital and development strategy across Ontario’s housing market. The conversation moves from the province’s temporary HST elimination on new homes to bulk condo-to-rental conversion funds, large-scale mixed-use redevelopment, institutional capital markets constraints and the long-term evolution of ownership in Canada. Spanning high-rise urban intensification, income-producing retail repositioning, master-planned communities and private equity discipline, the episode captures a market navigating uncertainty while still making long-term bets on growth. *Sponsored by: BCGi Baron Consulting Group Executive Search*

In Episode 103, Ben sits down with Cara Hirsch of Hirsch + Associates, Elliott Taube of Pivot Real Estate Group, and Sean Zahedi of SCOP Inc. for a roundtable discussion on the state of the new housing market from the people actively selling it. The conversation spans the immediate reaction to the proposed HST changes, the disconnect between condo pricing and fundamentals during the pandemic run-up, investor retrenchment, closing risk heading into 2026, and the growing shift from condo to rental as a default development model. From low-rise pricing resets to high-rise inventory pressure, the discussion reflects a market recalibrating around value, absorption and execution rather than momentum. *Sponsored by: BCGi Baron Consulting Group Executive Search*

In Episode 102, Ben sits down with Mike Czestochowski of CBRE, Josh Lerner of Harbour Equity, and Sharon Florian of Florian Group for a direct conversation about where the market actually stands. From lender behaviour and condo land receiverships to high-density resets, rental underwriting and product strategy, the discussion moves through the structural pressures shaping development decisions across the GTA. The tone throughout is pragmatic. Capital is cautious. Execution matters. And timing remains the central variable. *Sponsored by: BCGi Baron Consulting Group Executive Search*

In Episode 101, Ben uses a series of provocative tweets as the jumping off point for a wide ranging conversation on immigration, millennials leaving the GTA, the growing divide between an owner class and a tenant class, declining fertility and what it will take for Canada to stay competitive. With Matt Spoke from Toronto Standard, Eric Lombardi, Liberal Party candidate, and Zoë Coombes of the Neptis Foundation, the discussion moves from immigration whiplash and Greenbelt trade offs to milestone recession, family formation and whether building more desirable housing near jobs matters more than corporate subsidies. It is a candid, policy heavy episode about growth, opportunity and the long term direction of housing and the Canadian economy. *Sponsored by: BCGi Baron Consulting Group Executive Search*

In Episode 100 of Toronto Under Construction, Ben is joined by Gus Stavropoulos of Tribute Communities, Stuart Wilson of Alterra and Amanda Ireland of Osmington Gerofsky Development Corp for a developer focused check-in on where the market actually sits in early 2026. The group digs into construction costs and financing, the rental pivot and what this slowdown means for land, staffing and the next wave of supply. *Sponsored by: BCGi Baron Consulting Group Executive Search*

In episode 99 of Toronto Under Construction, Ben is joined by Daniel Fama from GWL Realty Advisors, Adam Molson from The Daniels Corporation and Jason Shedletsky from Graywood Developments to unpack how purpose-built rental is reshaping the market. From condo sites pivoting to rental, to complex capital stacks, service-focused operations, family-sized units and succession at major development firms, the group looks at how strategy is shifting in a market that is still finding its footing. *Sponsored by: BCGi Baron Consulting Group Executive Search*

In Episode 98 of Toronto Under Construction, Ben goes solo with an unfiltered look at the state of the housing market. From shrinking unit sizes to investor pullback, shifting developer strategies, and the media’s misrepresentation of the industry, Ben calls out the narratives that need correcting, and urges industry leaders to step up and take control of the conversation. *Sponsored by: BCGi Baron Consulting Group Executive Search*

In this episode of Toronto Under Construction, Ben welcomes the first-ever all-female panel to the podcast: Sarah Segal (Simplydbs), Jasmine Young (Zonda Urban), and Jane Renwick (RenwickCorp). From shifting consumer expectations to urban planning bottlenecks, generational change, and leadership at the executive level, this conversation unpacks where the real estate industry is headed—and the women shaping its future. *Sponsored by: BCGi Baron Consulting Group Executive Search*

In this episode of Toronto Under Construction, Ben is joined by Bob Blazevski (Blaze Urban), Sasha Cucuz (Greybrook Realty), and Jake Cohen (The Daniels Corporation) for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of real estate development in the GTA. From the impacts of the 2025 federal budget to the shifting economics of condo and rental projects, they share candid insights into what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change. With perspectives from finance, development, and public-private partnerships, this episode unpacks the policy pressures, market trends, and industry pivots shaping housing in Toronto and beyond. *Sponsored by: BCGi Baron Consulting Group Executive Search*

In this episode of Toronto Under Construction, Ben is joined by three of Canada's top economists to break down the macroeconomic forces shaping the housing market in 2025 and beyond: Eric Lascelles (RBC Global Asset Management), James Marple (TD Economics), and Peter Norman (Altus Group). The conversation covers interest rate cuts, Canada’s economic slowdown, trade war fallout, household debt, and what lies ahead for jobs, construction, and consumer confidence. *Sponsored by: BCGi Baron Consulting Group Executive Search*

In this episode of Toronto Under Construction, Ben is joined by three of the GTA’s most influential names in real estate sales and marketing: Andy Brethour (PMA Brethour Realty), Riz Dhanji (RAD Marketing), and Debbie Cosic (In2ition Realty). The conversation covers the current downturn in the condo market, investor behaviour, affordability, and how sales strategies need to shift in a more end-user-driven market. *Sponsored by: BCGi Baron Consulting Group Executive Search*

In episode 93 of Toronto Under Construction, host Ben Myers is joined by three industry insiders to unpack how financing, data, and design innovation are shaping the future of Canadian housing. Henry Chung (First National), Jason Marks (Collecdev-Markee), and Mitch Abrahams (Benvenuto Group) bring candid insights on everything from CMHC's evolving financing programs to the new frontiers of missing middle housing, and what really keeps developers up at night in today’s market. *Sponsored by: BCGi Baron Consulting Group Executive Search*