VREP #476 | How SkyTrain Shopping Malls Became the Blueprint for Vancouver Urban Living with Darren Kwiatkowski

Metro Vancouver real estate isn't being built on empty lots—it's rising from the parking lots of suburban shopping malls beside SkyTrain hubs. Shape Properties Executive VP and Founding Partner Darren Kwiatkowski sits down with Adam & Matt this week to unpack how his company has transformed aging retail centers like Brentwood and Lougheed into thriving mixed-use communities that have become regional energy hubs. From buying Brentwood Mall during the 2008 financial crisis to building multiple 60-storey towers at the same time, this conversation details the vision & the execution required to take on projects that require commitments measured in decades not years. What makes one SkyTrain station "lakefront property" while another lags? How can investors spot the difference? And what can you learn from a company that blocks out the noise to think in terms of generational change? Don't miss this insider's perspective on the future of Metro Vancouver's urban landscape.

After months of compounding uncertainty, Vancouver's real estate market has shifted dramatically from early 2025's optimism. But where do we stand currently as we emerge from our Canada Day revelry? It's time for a half-time assessment. Frame Properties partner Clint Murphy sits down with Adam & Matt to deliver an unvarnished mid-year report on Vancouver's market reality. From major players who haven't bought land since 2022 to rental rates crashing from $6 to $4 per square foot, this conversation reveals why new construction has stalled and what it means for Vancouver's housing future. Murphy breaks down the policy pile-on effect hitting during a market downturn while explaining how the entire industry is adapting and warning of supply challenges ahead as the pipeline dries up. What happens when even our most ardent optimists turn pessimistic about Vancouver real estate? How is the industry restructuring to survive? And is this market shift permanent or just another cycle? Don't miss this candid half-time report on Vancouver's real estate reality.

Think your RRSP is just for stocks and bonds? Think again. Montreal-based investor Rodrigo Parada used his registered retirement savings to unlock real estate investing — and scaled into a multimillion-dollar multifamily portfolio. Rodrigo, founder of Triple Harbor Capital, joins Adam & Matt to share his journey from house hacking with family during COVID to building a mutual fund trust that now attracts passive investors across Canada. He breaks down how he overcame residential lending limits, built teams in unfamiliar markets, and made the leap from DIY renovations to commercial apartment acquisitions. From tax pitfalls in traditional RRSP strategies to the key differences between residential and commercial financing, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for Canadians looking to invest smarter. What’s the real difference between residential and commercial lending? Can average investors really use their RRSPs to buy real estate? And how did a family-first mindset give Rodrigo an edge in scaling up?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Listen up!

Falling condo prices and declining rents might seem like good news forbuyers and renters today, but CMHC's Deputy Chief Economist warns this temporary relief issetting up an even worse housing crisis in the years to come. Aled ab Iorwerth sits down withAdam & Matt to reveal the alarming dynamics behind today's condo market in both Vancouverand Toronto, with project cancellations surging and the presale financing model under severestrain in both cities. As oversupply floods the market and individual investors flee, Canada'slargest metros face a critical question about their housing future. Will today's market stagnationdoom tomorrow's supply? Are we sacrificing long-term affordability for short-term relief? Andwith CMHC projecting Vancouver needs 7,200 additional homes annually over and abovecurrent construction levels, can the city actually ramp up production when developers areretreating? Don't miss this essential wake-up call about where Vancouver's housing market istruly headed.

The Vancouver real estate market sits at a crossroads, with buyers, developers, and realtors torn between taking action or waiting for conditions to improve. Industry veteran and founder of Tandem Strategies, Sunny Hahm, sits down with Adam & Matt this week to unpack this pivotal moment. From what product types are actually moving to how pricing strategies have evolved, Sunny shares insights from the front lines—highlighting why clear messaging is now more critical than costly marketing campaigns. The conversation dives into townhome success stories, shifting buyer psychology, and the importance of reading sub-market signals rather than relying on broad headlines. Is this fight or flight mentality holding back Vancouver's recovery? What drives better decisions when uncertainty is the only constant? And why might hesitation prove more expensive than taking action in today's market? A must-listen for anyone navigating the current market.

After 38 years of building homes in Vancouver, Polygon President & CEO Neil Chrystal knows a thing or two about market cycles. Spoiler alert: he's finally seeing signs of recovery in a downturn he believes has been even more severe than the infamous leaky condo crisis of the late 1990s. Neil sits down with Adam & Matt this week to share battle-tested insights on navigating Vancouver's challenging housing market and reveal the reputation-building strategy that's helped Polygon weather every storm from the 80s to today.From the new GST relief for first-time buyers to why foreign buyer bans are backfiring, this conversation cuts through the doom and gloom to reveal where smart money is moving. Neil breaks down why townhomes are selling while towers sit empty, and explains why now might actually be a generational opportunity to buy.Is it always darkest before the dawn? Why have investors completely disappeared when they're usually bottom-fishing by now? And what's the one factor that makes any real estate investment a winner in Neil's eyes? Don't miss this veteran builder's take on surviving Vancouver's toughest housing market in 25 years.

What happens when a skeptical renter starts investigating Vancouver's housing crisis from the inside? Storey’s journalist Howard Chai sits down with Adam & Matt to reveal how three years of covering the Vancouver real estate market completely flipped his perspective on who's really to blame for BC's housing mess.From chasing breaking news about developer insolvencies to uncovering the brutal reality of 25% interest rates crushing inexperienced builders, Howard shares the behind-the-scenes reality of an industry most people misunderstand.What's the real story behind all these developer bankruptcies and does it signal something more troubling about our market? How has covering real estate changed Howard's view of how politics, policy & markets actually work? And why does he believe the conversation around the role of real estate investors in our market is about to completely shift? Don't miss this rare look behind the curtain of real estate reporting and market reality!

Real estate is at a crossroads as technology disruption, economic uncertainty, and litigation reshape the industry landscape. British Columbia Real Estate Association CEO Trevor Koot and Greater Vancouver Realtors CEO Jeff King sit down with Adam & Matt to discuss the seismic shifts transforming the profession.From the alarming parallels to the music industry's Napster moment to the looming threat of a decade-long economic malaise, they pull no punches about what lies ahead for the real estate profession. But not all is lost! Their candid insights reveal not just immediate threats but also exciting opportunities as AI tools, market transparency demands, and consumer expectations evolve at lightning speed.How can individual agents adapt and thrive amidst this perfect storm of disruption? What major changes should consumers expect in as little as 12 to 18 months? And is this a classic case of major change happening gradually, then suddenly?Don't miss this essential conversation for anyone connected to real estate who wants to stay ahead of the curve rather than be swept away by it.

"Survive Till '25" was the mantra, but what happens now that we're here? Anthem Properties' Senior VP of Finance Michael Ferreira and President of Anthem Holdings Canada Jordan Carlson sit down with Adam & Matt to discuss the considerable headwinds facing Vancouver's real estate market amid unprecedented global uncertainty.From Trump tariffs to completed but unsold inventory, this candid conversation reveals the stark realities developers face while highlighting potential "green shoots" that might signal better days ahead. Despite pre-sale markets being "essentially non-existent," the Anthem executives share why they remain cautiously optimistic about the second half of 2025.Have completed inventory levels created a rare buying opportunity for end-users right now? How are developers like Anthem creating bespoke incentive programs to address the unique challenges facing today's hesitant purchasers? And why do these industry veterans believe Downtown Vancouver represents an inexplicably overlooked value proposition?Don't miss this insider perspective on weathering Vancouver's complex market conditions!

Federal election results are in and housing reforms emerge as a critical focus for Mark Carney's Liberal government - but will they adopt the solutions that could actually make a difference?BCREA's Senior Vice President Trevor Hargreaves sits down with Adam & Matt to outline 10 immediate actions needed to address Canada's housing crisis. From expanding trades education to establishing a permanent housing roundtable, Trevor makes his case for change & rates each recommendation on a scale of 1-10 for likelihood of implementation.Will the new government finally break Canada's housing gridlock? Can the Liberals afford to implement ambitious initiatives while facing new economic challenges from the Trump threat? And with Carney bringing a fresh leadership approach that seems more open to private sector collaboration, are we witnessing a turning point in how Canada tackles its deepening housing crisis? The future is now!