Toronto Under Construction

Episode 104 - Toronto Under Construction with Ian Pinchin of Crestpoint, Kalliopi Karkas of RioCan, and Lee Piccoli of Fusion Homes

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*

Episode 103 - Toronto Under Construction with Cara Hirsch of Hirsch + Associates, Elliott Taube of Pivot Real Estate Group, and Sean Zahedi of SCOP Inc.

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*

Episode 102 - Toronto Under Construction with Mike Czestochowski of CBRE, Josh Lerner of Harbour Equity, and Sharon Florian of Florian Group

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*

Episode 101 - Toronto Under Construction with Matt from Toronto Standard, Eric Lombardi, Liberal Party candidate, and Zoe Coombes of the Neptis Foundation

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*

Episode 100 - Toronto Under Construction with Gus Stavropoulos of Tribute Communities, Stuart Wilson of Alterra and Amanda Ireland of Osmington Gerofsky Development Corp

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*

Episode 99 - Toronto Under Construction with Daniel Fama from GWL Realty Advisors, Adam Molson from The Daniels Corporation and Jason Shedletsky from Graywood Developments

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*

Episode 98 - Toronto Under Construction with Ben Myers from Bullpen Consulting

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*

Episode 97 - Toronto Under Construction with Sarah Segal from Simplydbs, Jasmine Young from Zonda Urban, and Jane Renwick from RenwickCorp

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*

Episode 96 - Toronto Under Construction with Bob Blazevski from Blaze Urban, Sasha Cucuz from Greybrook Realty & Jake Cohen from The Daniels Corporation

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*

Episode 95 - Toronto Under Construction with Eric Lascelles from RBC Asset Management, James Marple from TD Economics and Peter Norman from Altus Group

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*