Vancouver Commercial Real Estate Podcast

For 24 months and counting, Vancouver Island has become a shining star in the commercial real estate world. In this episode we unpack the numbers. This week Cory and Adam welcome John MacDonald, publisher of the Business Examiner; one of Vancouver Island's go to business online publications. He is here to break down how the various island markets fared with each other and provides some insight on the Thompson Okanagan region. Johns, on the frontlines of the business world is witnessing first-hand how 2022 is affecting various industries, in both a good and bad way. This is an episode you don't want to miss so sit back, enjoy the little sunshine we have and crack open your favorite beverage and take in as much from John as you can. Enjoy!

Want to hear from a man who plausibly has more data on commercial real estate than anyone in Canada?In the studio this week Matt and Rod, (Cory didn't survive the William Wright Whistler weekend), welcome Raymond Wong of the Altus Group to look behind the numbers on what has happened across Canada in 2022. Raymond unpacks what asset classes are selling, what are not, and what is set to rebound. You might be surprised with his answers on what Canadian cities have outperformed their counterparts and what cities are set for a big 2022. Raymond debunks all the myths and unlocks the data for only our VCREP listeners.  

As the new Broadway Skytrain line is now in full swing, the city's office market has started to rebound and the housing crisis continues to mount. the council members at the City of Vancouver now have to vote on what could be the biggest vote in Vancouver's history. This week Cory and Matt welcome Meg Cooney, Seamus Bailey and Liam Simpson from William Wright's Vancouver office to discuss the highlights, and the lowlights with the proposed Broadway plan. The team touches on areas that could have been more thought out with additional density and as well they discuss the strong attributes that plan will bring to some parts of the Broadway corridor. Almost 11% of the total land in Vancouver affected by this vote, this is another episode you do not want to miss out on.

The ongoing debate on Vancouver Island right now is Victoria or Nanaimo? In this episode we ask this question from a commercial real estate perspective to one of our experts, Robin Kelley, of the Groupe Denux; one of Vancouver Islands long-standing families of real estate.Robin is on the show this week to provide his insight on both markets and how each market has fared over the years and unpacks what asset classes he thinks will continue to grow post COVID. He also touches on some Alberta projects the family has in the works. This is another great episode you don’t want to miss out on, so sit back and enjoy.

As we approach the halfway point of 2022, people are asking; is the commercial real estate market about to crash?Rod Mackay of William Wright Commercial's Vancouver office is here this week to discuss the most unpredictable year we have had in real estate yet. From faster than expected rising interest rates, to record breaking month-over-month inflation, to worldwide supply chain issues… 2022 has been anything but predictable, so what does all this mean for BC's commercial real estate markets?Rod provides his insight on what has happened so far, what the rest of 2022 looks like, and where you can expect to see the deals… if any.Whether you're a business owner, a commercial real estate investor, or just someone enjoying the action this is episode is another must listen!

Ever find a great restaurant on your favorite food app, but then realize they don't have a physical brick and mortar location you can enjoy?On the show this week Cory and Matt welcome Amrit Maharaj, Chief Operating Officer of Coho Collective who is here to break down what exactly a ghost kitchen is, why some of your favorite restaurants are getting in on the action, and how they have capitalized on the food app boom.As the demand for the food delivery market continues to grow, Coho Collective is looking to expand rapidly not only in BC but across Canada and beyond. He also unpacks the opportunity and little start-up cost needed to open your first online ghost kitchen and take your culinary passion to the next level. After this episode you will never look at Doordash or Skip the Dishes the same way again.

As interest rates rise, investors are on the lookout for higher cap rate properties but where can you find these assets?On the show this week Cory and Adam welcome Bronwyn Scrivens from Omada Commercial Real Estate in Edmonton, Alberta to discuss Alberta’s growing industrial market and how that compares to BC's unprecedented prices.Bronwyn shares how Alberta is receiving the halo effect from BC's tight vacancy rates and staggering acquisition costs and what tenants and developers are now looking into when it comes to Alberta vs BC. Cory and Adam's are left wide-eyed when the cost of land and price per foot of key industrial areas are exchanged and just how much massive growth BC has seen over the years.As Edmonton and Calgary face off in the second round of this year's NHL Playoffs, the battle of Alberta is also happening off the ice as both cities look to have bounce back years in 2022 in the commercial real estate world. 

This week Cory and Matt welcome Jonathan Meads, Vice President of StreetSide Developments to discuss the booming Fraser Valley markets and the exciting projects StreetSide has available.One of the biggest secrets in commercial real estate is spotting the trends and staying ahead of them. We have heard for a while now the Fraser Valley markets have been booming and Jonathan unpacks why they keep their focus on the Fraser Valley primarily and where they see those markets going. Keeping in mind the continued population growth and how COVID has created a new work environment to navigate as things slowly return to their new normal.One thing a lot of us don’t know is just how big StreetSide’s parent company Qualico is and Jonathan is here to gives us a little peek inside one of Western Canada’s largest private developers. Another insightful episode you don’t want to miss! 

On a national and provincial level, one of the most exciting real estate markets has been Victoria. This week Cory and Adam welcome onto the show none other than Mayor of Victoria, Lisa Helps.Lisa unpacks how Victoria got to where it is today, the goals she has accomplished in the eight years as mayor and unveils what’s in store for BC’s capital city, including exciting areas to watch and highlights all the development happening throughout the downtown and surrounding areas. For two years in a row, Victoria has been our pick for best market to invest in and after this episode you will see why.

If you have been following the commercial or residential real estate markets in BC, you will know the latest hot topic everyone is talking about is the rapidly rising interest rates. In fast response, Cory and Adam have invited Jon Switzer of Impact Commercial for an emergency episode. The Bank of Canada has sharply increased interest rates over the past few months and Jon is here to break down what's happened, what might happen in the future, and how all this impacts the markets and your borrowing ability for your next commercial investment.  The good news is, it is not all bad and Jon sheds some light on how to navigate the next few months and provides some tips on what to look for in your next purchase to maximize your lending ability.As we come out of these record low interest rates Jon will provide you firsthand information on how to protect your investments, grow your portfolio, and where deals might be found.