Vancouver Real Estate Podcast VREP #476 | How SkyTrain Shopping Malls Became the Blueprint for Vancouver Urban Living with Darren Kwiatkowski
Jul 11, 2025
Darren Kwiatkowski, Executive VP at Shape Properties, shares his insights on transforming Vancouver's suburban shopping malls into vibrant mixed-use communities. He discusses the impact of SkyTrain connectivity on urban development and how projects like Brentwood and Lougheed Town Centre reshape local landscapes. Highlights include lessons from the 2008 financial crisis, strategies for investors to identify prime locations, and the importance of thinking long-term in real estate development. This engaging conversation offers a glimpse into the future of urban living in Metro Vancouver.
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Darren's Journey to Shape Properties
- Darren Kwiatkowski grew up in Prince George and played hockey in the WHL before switching to real estate.
- He started in brokerage then co-founded Shape Properties in 2005, focusing on retail and development projects.
WHL Beginnings Were Tough
- Darren's first WHL exhibition game was intense, facing a notorious, aggressive New Westminster Bruins team.
- Being a shy 16-year-old among tough players forced him to get out of his comfort zone and grow.
Vision Behind Shape's Projects
- Shape's vision evolved from buying undervalued suburban malls and transforming them through mixed-use master planning.
- The city of Burnaby required holistic redevelopment, not just tower construction in parking lots, which shaped their success.
